RIAC

Presidential-Owned Firearms from Roosevelt and Ford Up for Auction

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Firearm, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Republican, Bison, Committee, Gold, Sale, Ford, Winchester Model 21, Pinnacle, Auction, RIAC, Collection, Animal

BEDFORD, Texas, April 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) will offer a historic and rare selection of firearms once owned by Presidents Roosevelt and Ford at its May Premier Auction, scheduled for Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19 in Bedford, TX. The impressive array will feature a percussion rifle from President Theodore Roosevelt's collection and five remarkable sporting arms owned by President Gerald R. Ford, Jr.

Key Points: 
  • President Ford was also presented with a factory-engraved game scene pair of Browning Model 1885 single-shot rifles.
  • These presidential firearms are just a glimpse into the 2,100 lots featured at RIAC's May Premier Auction.
  • After the grand opening of RIAC's Bedford facility in December of 2023, the world's number one firearms auction house is pleased to host its first premier auction of 2024.
  • For additional information on Rock Island Auction Company and other highlights of the May event, visit: www.rockislandauction.com .

Rock Island Auction Company Hosts First Premier Auction of 2024, May 17-19

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Firearm, World War II, Letter, Little, M41 Walker Bulldog, Collection, RIAC, Norman, Auction

BEDFORD, Texas, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) is proud to announce its first Premier Auction of 2024, taking place Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19 in Bedford, TX. As the world's leading firearms auction house, RIAC will showcase over 2,200 items, including exceptional presidential firearms, military vehicles and a diverse range of high art European arms.

Key Points: 
  • The premier auction will commence with a full-day preview event, Thursday, May 16.
  • Doors open at 10 a.m., and attendees will have early access to explore the most prestigious items up for auction.
  • "The first Premier Auction of the year is always exciting, and we have an extraordinary array of firearms that represent the best of what's publicly available today," said Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company.
  • After the grand opening of Rock Island Auction Company's Bedford facility in December of 2023, the world's number one firearms auction house is pleased to host its second premier auction at 3600 E. Harwood Road.

Rock Island Auction Company Reigns in Firearms Auction Industry with $102 Million in Sales

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
ROCK, RIAC, Firearm, Record, Army

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) realized more than $102 million in sales during its 30th year of business, leading to another industry-defining year. In 2023, RIAC's three Premier Auctions each earned more than $20 million, with the highest-earning auction achieving $26.7 million. The year also marked the company's official expansion to Bedford, Texas where RIAC celebrated the grand opening of its new 90,000 square-foot facility.

Key Points: 
  • ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) realized more than $102 million in sales during its 30th year of business, leading to another industry-defining year.
  • In 2023, RIAC's three Premier Auctions each earned more than $20 million, with the highest-earning auction achieving $26.7 million.
  • Over the course of the year, the firearms auction house sold over 43,000 collectibles, with two historic items that led the way as RIAC's highest earners.
  • "Our 30th anniversary has been nothing short of remarkable," said Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company.

Rock Island Auction Sees Record-Breaking Numbers with $26.7 Million in Sales During its Inaugural Premier Auction in Texas

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Sale, Granville Stuart, Catalog, Record, RIAC, Ulster Defence Association, ROCK, Auction

 ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Dec. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) celebrated 30 years in business by reaching $26.7 million in sales during its December Premier Auction, Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10. The auction marked the official opening of RIAC's new state-of-the-art facility in Bedford, Texas, and the three-day event featured over 2,250 lots of high-conditioned, historic, investment-grade firearms available for auction. The weekend's success also pushed the company's annual sales to $102 million, their third consecutive year over the $100 million mark – an unprecedented occurrence in the fine arms field.

Key Points: 
  • 12 Colt Model 1847 Walker percussion revolver, sold for $470,000, leading the way to Rock Island Auction Company's record-breaking sales.
  • "We are thrilled with the results of our inaugural Texas Premier Auction.
  • We continue to be humbled by the support and loyalty of our clients," said Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company.
  • Amassing nearly $9 million more than the 2022 December Premier Auction, the 2023 December Premier Auction helped Rock Island Auction Company's Bedford location achieve numerous milestones, including its largest catalog to date and the record for the largest gun auction in the state of Texas.

Han Solo's Blaster Launches to GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title After Selling for More Than $1 Million

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Sale, Weapon, Return of the Jedi, The Naked Runner, RIAC, Napoleon, C96, Han Solo, The Empire Strikes Back, Mauser C96, Jedi, GUINNESS, The Han Solo Trilogy, Star Wars, Star Wars (film), Garniture, ROCK, Auction

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) earned the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title and feature in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2024 book for the "Most Expensive Prop Gun Sold at Auction" with the sale of the BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster,  made for the character of Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy. The gun is the only survivor of the three originals made for A New Hope in 1976, and it sold for $1,057,500 during RIAC's August Premier Auction in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Han Solo's blaster was previously considered missing and presumed lost forever, requiring new prop blasters to be built for "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
  • Star Wars fans refer to Han Solo's blaster, one of the most recognizable weapons in movie history, as the "Hero" prop from "Star Wars: A New Hope."
  • "Knowing how coveted Star Wars collectibles are, we anticipated great interest in the Han Solo blaster, but we couldn't have imagined we would set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title with its sale.
  • As the industry leader in collectible fine arms, RIAC has reached several other record sales figures, including selling Napoleon's Garniture for $2.8 million and Ulysses S. Grant's Revolvers for $5.17 million.

Unseen for 50 Years - Exquisite Fine Arms Collection Goes to Auction

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Technische Universität Darmstadt, Blank, Norman, Firearm, Renaissance, Emperor, Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, ISLAND, Student, Museum, Nitro, RIAC, Collection, Auction, Gunsmith, Ferrari, Olympian

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) is presenting the collection of Norman R. Blank – a grouping of high art European arms over 50 years in the making and unseen by the public for several decades. Offering unmatched examples of European artistry, the collection of fine arms is already garnering the attention of several museums. The grouping is highlighted by a cased pair of presentation pistols by Parisian master gunmaker Gastinne-Renette whose clientele has included the Emperor of France and the King of Spain. They will be available at the December Premier Auction in Bedford, Texas, Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10, as part of numerous selections from the Norman R. Blank Collection.

Key Points: 
  • Offering unmatched examples of European artistry, the collection of fine arms is already garnering the attention of several museums.
  • They will be available at the December Premier Auction in Bedford, Texas, Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10, as part of numerous selections from the Norman R. Blank Collection.
  • "Mr. Blank's collection presents an extremely exciting moment in the world of fine arms.
  • Blank's distinguished collection includes high-end European firearms, from exquisite 17th-century flintlocks and wheellocks to exhibition-quality cartridge guns from the early 20th century.

Gold-Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver Inscribed to Pancho Villa up for Auction

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Army, United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution, Acquisition, Government, Gold, Colt Single Action Army, Southwestern United States, Documentation, Metro, Theodore Roosevelt, ROCK, Pancho Villa, Mexican Revolution, History, RIAC, Violence, Firearm, World War I, Demographics of Dallas–Fort Worth, Floral industry, Colt

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) will offer Francisco "Pancho" Villa's gold-plated Colt Single Action Army revolver at its December Premier Auction in Bedford, Texas, marking the opening of the company's new Dallas-Fort Worth Metro facility. Coinciding with the centenary of Villa's assassination in 1923, the auction will take place Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10.

Key Points: 
  • ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) will offer Francisco "Pancho" Villa's gold-plated Colt Single Action Army revolver at its December Premier Auction in Bedford, Texas, marking the opening of the company's new Dallas-Fort Worth Metro facility.
  • Coinciding with the centenary of Villa's assassination in 1923, the auction will take place Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10.
  • With two inscriptions to Villa, the gold Colt is expected to have a pre-auction value of $650,000 – $950,000.
  • For additional information on Rock Island Auction Company and other highlights of the December event, visit: www.rockislandauction.com .

Elvis Presley's Revolver Brings Nearly $200,000 at Auction

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Smith & Wesson Model No. 2 Army, Gun, Elvis Presley, Smith, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, Han Solo, Firearm, ROCK, Rock, RIAC, Cultural depictions of Elvis Presley, Presley, Growth, Star Wars, Smith & Wesson Model 17, Auction

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A flashy engraved revolver owned by Elvis Presley recently sold for $199,750 during Rock Island Auction Company's August Premier Auction, which took place, Aug. 25 - 27.

Key Points: 
  • ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A flashy engraved revolver owned by Elvis Presley recently sold for $199,750 during Rock Island Auction Company's August Premier Auction, which took place, Aug. 25 - 27.
  • "When you combine two of those genres, Elvis' memorabilia and collector firearms, the result is tremendous excitement and high totals at auction."
  • Rock Island Auction has previously sold revolvers of Elvis' for similarly hefty amounts.
  • The auction house will be accepting consignments for the December Premier Auction through Monday, Sept. 11.

$22 Million in Sales for Rock Island Auction Company's First Premier Auction of 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Storm, ISLAND, Weapon, Lightning, Colt, German, Silver, Winchester Model 1894, Colt Model 1839 Carbine, Metropolitan Museum of Art, FG42, Firearm, ROCK, Gold, RIAC, The 1985, Gulf War, Colt Single Action Army, Confederacy, Chevelle, Zane Grey, Auction

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., May 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) realized $22 million in sales during its first Premier Auction of 2023 that featured the Beaumont-Adams revolver surrendered by Confederate President Jefferson Davis at his capture and Zane Grey's Winchester Model 1895 rifle. The two earned $470,000 and $440,625, respectively. The three-day event, which took place May 19 – 21, offered more than 2,000 collector firearms, military artifacts, accessories, and artworks.

Key Points: 
  • ROCK ISLAND, Ill., May 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) realized $22 million in sales during its first Premier Auction of 2023 that featured the Beaumont-Adams revolver surrendered by Confederate President Jefferson Davis at his capture and Zane Grey's Winchester Model 1895 rifle .
  • "We're extremely privileged to be entrusted with items so significant to American history," said Rock Island Auction Company President Kevin Hogan.
  • The May Premier Auction is Rock Island Auction Company's spring flagship event in collecting, featuring hundreds of the most historical firearms worldwide.
  • Seven of the last eight auctions at Rock Island Auction Company have exceeded the $20 million mark, further positioning the company as a leader in the firearms industry by a substantial margin.

Theodore Roosevelt's Smith & Wesson Revolver Brings Over $910,000 at Auction

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Lincoln, Firearm, ROCK, Union, Burnside, RIAC, Crittenden, Trigger (firearms), ISLAND, Smith, Sale, Documentation, Auction

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Dec. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former President Theodore Roosevelt's Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver sold for $910,625 during the first day of Rock Island Auction Company's (RIAC) December Premier Auction. The second headliner, a 2nd Model Burnside Civil War carbine presented by President Lincoln to Kentucky statesman John Jordan Crittenden for his role in keeping Kentucky and the border states in the Union, sold for $105,750.  

Key Points: 
  • Rock Island Auction Company's December Premier Auction Realizes $18.3 Million in Total Sales During the Three-Day Event.
  • ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Dec. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former President Theodore Roosevelt's Smith & Wesson New Model No.
  • 3 Single Action Revolver sold for $910,625 during the first day of Rock Island Auction Company's (RIAC) December Premier Auction.
  • "Firearms with presidential ties are highly sought after and extremely difficult to find," said Kevin Hogan, Rock Island Auction Company President.