Headlined by the first portion of the “Doc” Murphy Colt collection, the March 16-17 James D. Julia auction featured very strong sales of early Colts — including many that beat pre-sale estimates.

The sale grossed approximately $11.5 million, which is expected to rise as post-auction sales are assembled). The total low estimate of the items sold was around $8.7 million so the sales results were approximately $2.8 million over low estimate.

Overall, 45 items in the Julia auction brought more than $50,000 apiece, 12 items brought more than $100,000 each, nine items brought more than $200,000 each, and three items realized more than $500,000 apiece.

The first session included a third of the Murphy collection — approximately 40 lots. Of the 40 Murphy items, 35 of them sold. These had a low pre-sale estimate of $3.56 million, but the final sale price was $5.25 million. The average sale value per lot for the entire auction was $15,094.

Highlights in the Murphy collection included an engraved gold single-action SA Colt revolver, known as the “Sears & Roebuck” gun. Estimated at $450,000-$800,000, it sold for $747,500, the highest price of the day.

Also sold was a rare Colt single action in mint condition — the first factory engraved single action ever produced — which had been displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. It had a presale estimate of $350,000-$600,000 and sold for $701,500.

The next highest lot was a cased engraved #2 Paterson with silver bands. Estimated at $275,000-$500,000, it sold for $517,000.

A silver-mounted half-stock rifle made by renowned Bowie knife maker Daniel Searles, estimated at $20,000-$40,000, sold for $115,000.
 
The Murphy guns were not the only highlights of the sale. High-grade shotguns included a Fabbri over-under estimated at $75,000-$100,000; it went for $89,100. A John Rigby Rising Bite estimated at $70,000-$100,000 sold for $79,400.

Some outstanding Winchesters and volcanic rifles included a Model 73 with British proofs, estimated at $35,000-$40,000 and sold for $55,800. Among the Class III firearms, a German WWII MP44 estimated at $15,000-$20,000 went out at $24,200.

Below are some of the highlights from the auction.





Lot 2032: Rare Panel Scene Engraved Colt SAA Revolver. Earliest Known Factory Engraved SAA "The 1876 Centennial Exhibition Colt." Est: $350,000-$600,000. Sold for $701,500.




Lot 2030: Engraved & Gold Inlaid Colt Single Action Army Revolver, the Sears & Roebuck "Cow Boy” Special. Est: $450,000-$800,000. Sold for 747,500.



Lot 1213: Fabbri over-under shotgun. Est: $75,000-$100,000. Sold for $89,100.



Tiffany Presentation Sword Presented by the freed slaves of South Carolina to Gen. Rufus Saxton. Est: $85,000-$25,000. Sold for $86,300.



Lot 1238: John Rigby Best Rising Bite Sidelock Ejector Double Rifle. Est: $70,000-$100,000. Sold for $79,400.



Parker AAHE SxS Shotgun. Est: $60,000-$90,000. Sold for $63,250.



Winchester 1873 Delux with British Proof marks. Est: $35,000-$40,000. Sold for $55,800.



German WWII MP44 Assault Rifle (C&R). Est: $15,000-$20,000. Sold for $24,200.



Lot 2000: Cased Engraved No. 2 Paterson Belt Model Percussion Revolver. Est: $275,000-$500,000. Sold for $517,000.






Lot 2000: Cased Engraved No.3 Colt Paterson Belt Model Percussion Revolver. Est: $275,000-$500,000. Sold for $517,500.

Lot 2009: Gen. Franklin Pierce Double Presentation Cased Colt 1st Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver. Est: $250,000-$450,000. Sold for $253,000.

Lot 2020: Cased Engraved Inventor Presentation Colt Charter Oak 1855 Root Model 2 Percussion Revolver. Est: $135,000-$235,000. Sold for $253,000.

Lot 2009: Gen. Franklin Pierce Double Presentation Cased Colt 1st Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver. Est: $250,000-$450,000. Sold for $253,000.

Lot 2004: Prototype Transition Colt Whitneyville-Hartford Dragoon Percussion Revolver. Est: $225,000-$375,000. Sold for $253,000.

Lot 2010: President Franklin Pierce From Col. Colt Presentation Cased Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver. Est: $150,000-$275,000. Sold for $207,000.
 
Lot 2012: Deluxe Rosewood Cased & Deluxe Gustave Young Engraved Colt Presentation Grade Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver. Est: $90,000-$160,000. Sold for $184,000.
 
Lot 2015: Book Cased Inscribed Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion Revolver. Est: $75,000-$135,000. Sold for $155,250.

Lot 2007: Silver Mounted Half Stock Presentation Rifle made for Union Civil War Hero Major Robert Anderson by Daniel Searles (Baton Rouge, LA), with Display Case. Est: $20,000-$40,000. Sold for $115,000.

Lot 2146: Extraordinary Colt Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver. Est: $22,500-$27,500. Sold for $43,125.

Lot 2114: Scarce Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver. Est: $10,000-$15,000. Sold for $20,700.

Lot 1238: John Rigby Best Rising Bite Side Lock Ejector Double Rifle with Case and Accessories. Est: $70,000-$100,000. Sold for $79,350.

Lot 1342: Parker Che Grade 28-Gauge Side by Side Shotgun. Est: $30,000-$60,000. Sold: $55,200.

Lot 2351: Winchester Hi-Wall Deluxe With Matted Barrel. Est: $6,000-$10,000. Sold for $10,062.50.



Lot 1024: MG 08 DWM Maxim Gun (C&R-registered Dewat). Est: $6,000-$8,000. Sold for $9,200.
 
Lot 1041. Bergmann Mp35/I (C&R-registered Dewat). Est: $4,000-$7,000. Sold for $8,337.50.

Lot 2365: Model 1853 Sharps Carbine "John Brown Sharps." Est: $4,000-$6,000. Sold for $9,775.
   


Lot 2366: Palmetto Armory Musket. Est: $5,000-$7,000. Sold: $8,912.50





Lot 2372: Sharps New Model 1859 3-Band Rifle With Double Set Triggers In The Berdan Sharpshooter Range. Est: $4,000-$5,000. Sold for $6,037.50.
   


Lot 1174: Webley Fosbery Model 1902 Semi-Auto Revolver. Est: $5,000-$8,000. Sold for $25,300.


Lot 1159: Broomhandle Mauser Model 1896 Cone Hammer Semi-Auto Pistol. Est: $3,000-$5,000. Sold for $8,050.



Lot 2414: Johnson Model 1836 Flintlock Martial Pistol. Est: $4,000-$6,000. Sold for $7,187.50.
   
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