Firearms and Accoutrements

Garth's, Delaware, Ohio

by Don Johnson

Photos courtesy Garth's

One thing leads to another. When Garth's mixed 50 lots of firearms into the company's September 4 and 5, 2009, antiques auction, it put into motion something Jeff Jeffers, president of the auction house, probably wasn't expecting, but something he was glad to follow up on.

Those firearms did well in September, prompting Jeffers to quickly assemble a 400-lot firearms and accoutrements specialty sale on October 31 at the company's historic property in Delaware, Ohio. "We were able to get a pulse on the market and find a big-time need for more of the material," he said.

The majority of the lots in the October sale came from the same estate that got things rolling the month before, with some additional items from a few other sellers.

"The consignment comes to us because of our reputation," Jeffers added. "This was an estate that needed a trust factor. They didn't know where to go, and it was our reputation that allowed them to say, 'You're it.' We love that, obviously."

The task of putting together a full-size second sale on short notice required a combined effort from the staff, which proved up to the challenge. "That's what I love about our size and this team," Jeffers added.

Although there was no print catalog, the material, which ranged from an 18th-century European air rifle to Colt revolvers, was cataloged on line.

What brought the most interest fit into the general description of what buyers want in other antiques, according to Jeffers. "It's nothing different than in any other category; they're looking for rarity, condition, and [material] fresh to market."

Among the best lots of the auction, wheel-lock pistols placed first, second, and fourth. Made in Europe in the 16th or 17th century, a pair of wheel-lock pistols heavily inlaid with scrimshaw bone ladies, birds, panels, and vining was the top lot, realizing $37,600 (includes buyer's premium). From the same period and possibly by the same maker, a wheel-lock rifle with 26 bone inlays, a sliding bone patch box, and a flared octagonal barrel was the fifth-highest lot of the day, selling for $11,163.

Nestled among the wheel-locks, a cased pair of gilt Smith & Wesson Model 2 Old Model revolvers, mid-19th century, having elaborate damascene decoration and engraved silver grips, in a leather-lined mahogany case and accompanied by carved ivory tools, sold for $12,338, the third-highest price of the auction. The catalog noted, "The distinctly non-American decoration on these guns suggests that when they were purchased, they were sent overseas, probably Europe or the Middle East, where they were decorated and cased."

From there, the market was a real mix of vintages and types of weapons, with some estimates having no bearing on the final price. Two 19th-century German swords, one a cavalry saber marked Klingenthal, the other a presentation sword marked "E & F Horster, Solingen" with "Eisenhauer" and a decorated blade with artillery and cavalry scenes, sold together for $10,575 (est. $250/450).

Other items were as varied as a cased presentation Sharps pepperbox pistol, English, circa 1863, that realized $9400, and a jeweled and gilt single-edge knife made in India in the late 17th or early 18th century, the guard encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, that fetched $6463.

The assortment also included a number of highly recognizable American military items, including field uniforms, with one from World War I bringing $558; World War II, $499; the Korean War, $59; and the Vietnam War, $118. Dress uniforms from the same conflicts brought $59 each for the two World Wars and $29 each for Korea and Vietnam.

After the auction, Jeffers drew a comparison between the October and September sales. "Labor Day had fifty firearms, and October had four hundred. On a pound-for-pound basis, what we offered for Labor Day was just as good," he said.

With quality firearms bringing respectable prices, Garth's will continue to put the material before bidders.

"Every other category, for the most part, is soft. What's not? Gold. Some jewelry. Even the best in categories, prices are not equivalent."

Within the traditional antiques market, Jeffers referred to a paint-decorated Pennsylvania corner cupboard from the collection of former Garth's owners Tom and Carolyn Porter, sold by Garth's in 2004 for $37,375 and resold by the auction house in November 2009 for $36,425 (see page 44-B). When the value of a quality piece of American furniture remains relatively stagnant over a five-year period, it makes the thriving gun market look especially appealing. "Firearms are doing very well," Jeffers said.

"I think we'll absolutely go after that market. I think that our brand translates well to that. And I think the timing certainly is good for the material."

For more information, phone Garth's at (740) 362-4771 or visit (www.garths.com).

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