Firearms, Militaria and Sporting Auction - Pook & Pook, Inc., Downingtown, PA

Pook & Pook, Inc.’s Fall 2019 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting Auction is scheduled for Saturday, November 16th at 9:00am. The sale includes 472 lots with items from consignors around the country. The sale presents a fine cross section of American history with items spanning three centuries. From military ephemera, to pistols, shotguns and revolvers, to sporting related items and various swords and knives, and a fun collection of military hats, Pook & Pook’s last Firearms, Militaria & Sporting sale of the year is sure to have a little something for everyone.

Lot 6, Pennsylvania full stock flintlock long rifle; Estimate $2,500-$3,500

Like all of Pook & Pook’s auctions of this genre, Saturday’s auction will begin with antique flintlock and percussion long rifles. Some interesting examples include a Bedford County, Pennsylvania full stock percussion long rifle ($2,000-$3,000), a York County, Pennsylvania full stock flintlock long rifle with an engraved brass patch box ($3,500-$4,500), and a Bedford County, Pennsylvania full stock flintlock long rifle attributed to Joseph Mills ($2,500-$3,500). Dozens of other long rifles meeting every price point will also cross the auction block. A Revolutionary War era flintlock musket is sure to attract the eye of a few scholars of American History with an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. 

Lot 42, Scarce C. Sharps breech loading single shot pistol; Estimate $2,000-$3,000

Also from the American Revolutionary War era is a French model 1777 Maubeuge flintlock pistol. These pistols were brought to the United States by Marquis de Lafayette and they were used extensively in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. A John Joseph Henry, Northampton County, Pennsylvania flintlock pistol with an ornately engraved trigger guard that includes a flower and a pineapple is expected to fetch $2,000-$3,000. An incredible pair of Ward & Steele Queen Anne flintlock pistols will draw attention for the silver wire inlay found throughout the walnut stock and the grotesque mask but caps. An offering of a scarce C. Sharps breech loading falling block percussion single shot pistol ($2,000-$3,000) will surely incite competition amongst bidders. One exceptional imported firearm in the antique grouping is a British brass barrel blunderbuss inscribed London ($2,000-$3,000). A Colt model 1861 single action Navy percussion revolver engraved Nere A. Elfwing comes with its own little piece of history. Lt. Col. Elfwing was enlisted in the rolls of the 48th NY Infantry, which was attached to the 1st brigade of Gen. Sherman’s force, participating in engagements at Port Royal ferry, Fort Pulaski, Hilton Head, Fort Wagner, the disastrous battle at Olustee, the battle of Cold Harbor, the assault on Petersburg, and finally the engagement at the Strawberry Plains and Fort Harrison. From the other side of the Civil War is a scarce Confederate Richmond Sharp’s saddle ring carbine. Approximately 5000 of these were made by the Confederate government between 1862 and 1864. This one is expected to bring $3,000-$4,000 at auction.
 

Lot 201, American bell shako, early 19th c; Estimate $500-$700

Militaria abounds in the sale including tintypes, military ship models, flags, powder flasks, cannon balls, holsters, money, swords, cigar case, plaques, medals, books, daggers, a polearm pike, etc. A USS Cumberland relic cane inscribed “Main Mast of Cumberland – destroyed 9th of March, 1862” on the brass ferrule is anticipated to bring $2,000-$2,500. The USS Cumberland was rammed and sunk in an engagement with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) at Newport News, Virginia on March 8, 1862. The engagement, known as the first day of the Battle of Hampton Roads, between the two ships, is considered to be the turning point in the history of world naval affairs. A Confederate Nashville Plow Works Civil War cavalry saber inscribed “Nashville Plow Works, CSA” will be offered at $3,000-5,000. A fantastic British WWII lithograph war poster adorns the cover of the catalog for this auction, featuring the Royal Air Force bombers bombing Japanese aircraft at Moulmein and titled “Smash Japanese Aggression” ($200-300). A Japanese WWII Imperial Navy cased torpedo gyroscope is an interesting lot complete with capture papers ($300-500). Other military ephemera from the past few centuries round out the sale. Ending out the militaria is a fun group of military hats and helmets including Napoleonic bicorne, European kepi, Swiss shako, American shako, Prussian pickelhaube, German parade helmet, and Prussian shako examples and more.

Various contemporary pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns make an appearance at the end of the sale. Included in this section of the sale are examples by Parker Brothers, Remington, Sears & Roebuck, Fox Sterlingworth, Springfield and dozens more. An Ansley H. Fox model C double barrel side by side shotgun is estimated at $2,000-$3,000. From across the pond is an Italian P. Beretta Abercrobie & Fitch double barrel over and under shotgun ($1,000-1,500). One of the best pieces in the contemporary portion of the sale is a Japanese Parker by Winchester contemporary double barrel side by side shotgun with a finely checkered high grade walnut stock ($4,000-$6,000).