Anyone going to the Rock Island Auction?

[Garry L Gordon]

We are heading up tomorrow to the viewing day for the Rock Island Auction. Anyone else attending any of the days?

[allen newell]

I'd have to fly from Boston to Illinois. Sorry, just not in the cards for me.

[Bruce Hering]

I am not going. Went to one a while ago and it was information overload. Have fun.... find a good buy and bit wisely. Good luck.

[Mills Morrison]

I wish. I love those people. I have bought several times from them and hope to do so many more times

[Keith Sirmans]

Let me know how that 8 gauge greener looks in person

[Garry L Gordon]

Let me know how that 8 gauge greener looks in person

Will do!

[Garry L Gordon]

Lots of guns to look at. Just not enough money!:crying:

[Reggie Bishop]

Garry you can't bird hunt with that one!

[Garry L Gordon]

Garry you can't bird hunt with that one!

I know…the barrels are too short!:whistle:

[Craig Larter]

I placed two low ball bids, but ya can't win if you don't play. Two Parkers that I would like to own but not enough to really roll the dice. Good luck to all bidders.

[Garry L Gordon]

There were some interesting hammer guns, and a Dickson trigger plate 20 that was like a magic wand. The VH 28 looked very nice. Some monster big bore guns held center stage.

[Garry L Gordon]

Let me know how that 8 gauge greener looks in person

Keith, the Greener 8 hammered for $13,000. I hope that was you that got it. It was a beast.

[Mills Morrison]

Anyone hoping for a deal was disappointed. At least that was my takeaway after observing some of the bidding.

[Garry L Gordon]

Anyone hoping for a deal was disappointed. At least that was my takeaway after observing some of the bidding.

Mills, I saw some English guns that looked like good buys to me, but the Parkers that went today seemed on the high to very high side (especially considering the BP). But, like all auctions, there are some deals, and...

[John Dallas]

Assuming that these data are considered in things like the Blue Book, is the "vig" included?

[Bill Murphy]

Does anyone here know how to access the sold prices after the day of the auction?

[Garry L Gordon]

Does anyone here know how to access the sold prices after the day of the auction?

They generally post them at a later date.

[Craig Larter]

The CE Fox 12ga went for 9K including the vig. It looked like a $3K shotgun to my eye.
The Parkers were estimated high in my opinion but they all sold in or above estimate. If that auction is any indication prices are strong.

[Dean Romig]

Prices achieved at the better auction houses are generally an indication of market values.





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[Garry L Gordon]

The CE Fox 12ga went for 9K including the vig. It looked like a $3K shotgun to my eye.
The Parkers were estimated high in my opinion but they all sold in or above estimate. If that auction is any indication prices are strong.

Craig, I looked that CE over, and I couldn’t agree with you more.

We just attended Saturday, but it seems to me English guns — not including big bore and/or double rifles — are some of the better buys.

[Garry L Gordon]

It’s also telling on the final bid to see how it got there. When you’re there in person, you can see how many bidders are after a particular gun. There’s always the two bidder duel, but when several phone bidders hold up cards andthere are several floor bidders, it’s telling about what’s popular with collectors.

[Mills Morrison]

I bet being there in person was fun.

Like others said, I was surprised by some of the prices, but I have never considered myself qualified to give prices.

[Garry L Gordon]

I bet being there in person was fun.

Like others said, I was surprised by some of the prices, but I have never considered myself qualified to give prices.

Mills, I, like you, have little expertise in appraising guns, but I have gotten better at predicting what they’ll go for. I have also learned the guns I bid on always go high…and then realize I am the cause of it. :banghead:

Rock Island puts on a class act — a buffet party-like gathering the night of the viewing day, and good lunches each day of the auction. Their preview hall is wonderfully set up. This time they had built a old west saloon-like structure inside the hall to house part of an old west collection.

When I check in to get a bidder number, I don’t have to give my name anymore — they know me and Elaine (not sure that’s all that good). You pay a lot in fees, but you do get some back in little perks.

[John Bastiani]

Does anybody know the price of the Parker 28 gauge(Lot 1414)? Also Lot 1434-a model 21 Grand American. The Parker was more of a shooter grade gun than a collector piece. I would have bid on the Grand American 21 if it had been a 20 gauge.

[Garry L Gordon]

Does anybody know the price of the Parker 28 gauge(Lot 1414)? Also Lot 1434-a model 21 Grand American. The Parker was more of a shooter grade gun than a collector piece. I would have bid on the Grand American 21 if it had been a 20 gauge.

John, I watched the Parker sell, but I forgot the price, but I'm pretty sure it went for a price within the estimate, as I recall telling my wife it went for less than I thought it would. I looked at the gun. I was in very good condition and had lots of what appeared to be original finish. I would have bid, but it had lots of drop...too much for me.

Sorry, I don't follow the 21s, but I did look them over and there were some nice ones.

[Craig Larter]

The 28ga Parker VH sold for $13.8K. I kinda liked the Grade 1 hammer gun with Laminate barrels it sold for $2875.

[Bruce Hering]

I can appreciate these auctions for bringing together some fine guns but I can not abide with this "buyer premium" stuff. Just me and perhaps I'll get over it but at 75 yo I dont think I have the time. LOL

[Mills Morrison]

I picked up a BH project from an obscure auction in Virginia. To be continued . . .

[John Bastiani]

I can appreciate these auctions for bringing together some fine guns but I can not abide with this "buyer premium" stuff. Just me and perhaps I'll get over it but at 75 yo I dont think I have the time. LOL

I couldn't agree more. On desirable guns that usually bring a premium anyway the buyers premium of 15% to 20% (charged to buyers and sellers) usually puts the guns value way more than they are worth. With that said-I try to only buy guns at auction that I can't find elsewhere.

[Mills Morrison]

There is the buyer's premium and then all the other "stuff" that gets tacked on. I used to read the fine print to figure it out, but now just add 30% to my bid and that generally covers it

[Craig Larter]

RI now charges sales tax based on the ship to, 8% in my case here in NY.

[Dean Romig]

The aquisitional cost of the gun bought at auction becomes the gun’s value no matter how you slice it. If we have to figure in the premiums and other “tack-ons” that we have to pay in order to take possession of the gun, they combine to become, to the buyer and likely to future buyers of the gun, the value if the gun.

It simply can’t be otherwise I don’t believe.





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[Jay Oliver]

What did that 16 gauge D grade Lifter go for? I saved the lot, but can't see the finalized price yet? Just curious on that one. It had some issues, but still a 16 gauge lifter...

[Mills Morrison]

Close to $10 grand if I remember right.

[Randy G Roberts]

What did that 16 gauge D grade Lifter go for? I saved the lot, but can't see the finalized price yet? Just curious on that one. It had some issues, but still a 16 gauge lifter...

This one Jay ?

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

An interesting gun that 16 ga grade 3, I bid on 2 of the Sharps rifles, especially wanted the long range # 3 to go with my mid range #3, but both were almost twicethe high estimate when you figure in all the other cost, also bid on the Pachmyer upgrade to AAHE but again too much, Gary

[Jay Oliver]

Yes that's the 16 lifter. That gun had been restocked so the price seems high to me. Still nice though. I got the letter on it, but didn't end up biding...

[Dean Romig]

So $8,500 +, + = ? (IMO it equals the value of the gun, as determined by the buyer {highest bidder}.)





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[Mills Morrison]

A good $10K. As I said. Probably a little more

[Garry L Gordon]

I bid on the lifter, but bowed out when it hit $8K. It just had a few too many issues, but was a beautiful and rare gun.

[Mills Morrison]

It is a gun that deserves to be "made right" and that won't be cheap either.

[Randy G Roberts]

So $8,500 +, + = ? (IMO it equals the value of the gun, as determined by the buyer {highest bidder}.)
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Final price with the vig was $9,775. Still have to add on the sales tax, shipping, etc.

[Mills Morrison]

The "etc" gets you every time

[Stan Hoover]

I'm curious,

Did any of you fellows call on this gun before the auction?

I've learned since the auction that the Damascus barrels measure 30"

Stan hoover

[Garry L Gordon]

I'm curious,

Did any of you fellows call on this gun before the auction?

I've learned since the auction that the Damascus barrels measure 30"

Stan hoover

I looked the gun over at the preview day — took it apart, checked the chamber length, but did not measure the barrels. I thought it was in the book as a 28”

[Stan Hoover]

I looked the gun over at the preview day — took it apart, checked the chamber length, but did not measure the barrels. I thought it was in the book as a 28”

I also looked in the book before the auction and I also saw it as 28" barrels, I wonder if Rock Island also went by the book?

[Garry L Gordon]

I also looked in the book before the auction and I also saw it as 28" barrels, I wonder if Rock Island also went by the book?

Good question. I think it was 28, but, again, I did not measure and could be wrong.

[Jay Oliver]

The letter says 28"

[Craig Larter]

I place a bid for Parker Grade 1 12ga Laminate barrels with good dimensions of $1500. so $1725. with vig plus NY sales tax of 8%, out the door at $1863. Plus shipping. My bid didn't apparently meet the minimum. The estimate was 3K-$4.5 which I thought was high. What say you? I think it's a $1800 gun not 3-4K gun. What do you think the value is???

[Randy G Roberts]

I place a bid for Parker Grade 1 12ga Laminate barrels with good dimensions of $1500. so $1725. with vig plus NY sales tax of 8%, out the door at $1863. Plus shipping. My bid didn't apparently meet the minimum. The estimate was 3K-$4.5 which I thought was high. What say you? I think it's a $1800 gun not 3-4K gun. What do you think the value is???

Craig I'm with you on that one. I think you are spot on. I have not looked at that gun but my opinion would be that the estimate is ridiculously high unless there are some attributes I am not aware of. I hope to find some time to go over some of those auctions tomorrow to see what they brought. Some of the numbers that I have been hearing have really surprised me, much higher than I would have expected. I am speaking of Parker's only. I am still in shock at the price the 16 gauge lifter brought.

[Dave Noreen]

Could one of you all with access to the prices realized tell me what Lot # 385 the Winchester Model 40 went for. I thought their estimate of $1600 to $2500 was beyond belief or had extra zeros.

[Stan Hoover]

Could one of you all with access to the prices realized tell me what Lot # 385 the Winchester Model 40 went for. I thought their estimate of $1600 to $2500 was beyond belief or had extra zeros.

Dave,
Unless I’m doing something incorrectly, it does not show the price realized, so i assume it did not sell.
Stan Hoover

[Joe Graziano]

I love bidding at auction but I did not bid this time. The prices realized on the shotguns of interest seemed to be above market value. Of course, one could argue that those prices establish market value. Either way, I wasn’t buying. I’ll wait and enjoy what I have.

[Garry L Gordon]

I love bidding at auction but I did not bid this time. The prices realized on the shotguns of interest seemed to be above market value. Of course, one could argue that those prices establish market value. Either way, I wasn’t buying. I’ll wait and enjoy what I have.

Joe, I think there's much wisdom in your approach, but for me, I'm old enough to know that my chances at something long sought are diminishing. I'd like to be able to use a gun before I get too old to do so.

[Ken Hill]

Garry,

I was going to bid on the 4-bore Dickson, but figured you would out bid me.:)

Ken

[Garry L Gordon]

Garry,

I was going to bid on the 4-bore Dickson, but figured you would out bid me.:)

Ken

Ken, I could not carry that Dickson, much less shoot it. I did pick up a nice MacNaughton 28 bore. An interesting little gun with chokes tighter than I’ve ever encountered on a 28. I’ll bet it would fit down the barrel of that big 4 bore.

[Mills Morrison]

Yeah, an 8 gauge is as big as I go.

[Ken Hill]

Garry,

I always wonder how those 28 ga MacNaughton's handle with the 24" barrels. The story behind them still isn't clear.

Ken

[Garry L Gordon]

Garry,

I always wonder how those 28 ga MacNaughton's handle with the 24" barrels. The story behind them still isn't clear.

Ken


Ken, I checked with J-P Daescheler to see if there were any records on the gun. Unfortunately no, but he did send me an article he wrote about "The Edinburgh." Quite interesting and informative -- things I'd never known about the 50-ish 28 bores that were made (mine is number 147 apparently). The stock dimensions are great, with a long LOP and high dimensions. I thought it would make a great woodcock gun, but the chokes are .038-.040. I've not fired it yet, and I'm sure that the goofy lever safety will take some time to get used to, but the gun is unique, that's for sure.

I can send you the article if you are interested.

Garry