Press Release – April 13th 2019 – Firearms, Militaria and Sporting Auction - Pook & Pook, Inc., Downingtown, PA

Pook & Pook, Inc.’s Spring 2019 Firearms and Militaria Auction is scheduled for Saturday April 13^th at 9:00am. The sale runs just shy of 500 total 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, Pook & Pook’s first Firearms sale of the year is sure to please.

Lot 219, Cased pair of British percussion dueling pistols; Estimate $3,000-$4,000

Saturday’s auction will begin with just over two hundred items hailing from the collection of Mr. Robert Spangler, Jr. Mr. Spangler is a carpenter by trade, but has spent decades of his life devoted to the craft of gunsmithing. Over his lifetime, he has helped countless customers build custom firearms and performed expert repairs. As a practiced marksman, Mr. Spangler holds a High Master designation from the NRA and the title of Distinguished Rifleman from the Civilian Marksmanship Program, an award in excellence recognized by the U.S. Government. His collection ranges in age from antique flintlock long rifles to modern hand guns. Mr. Spangler hopes that other like minded collectors will cherish his collection as he has.

Lot 16, Chicago Firearms Co. The Protector palm pistol; Estimate $800-$1,200

Unique and interesting items from the Spangler Collection include the Chicago Firearms Co. The Protector palm pistol ($800-$1,200). Originally patented in France in 1882, the small, circular pistol was designed to be concealed in the palm of the hand. To fire a round, the entire weapon must be squeezed by the operator’s fist, with the barrel protruding between two fingers. Another small and easily concealed antique weapon in the collection is the James Reid My Friend knuckleduster revolver ($600-$900). Measuring in at just over three inches, this weapon was patented by a Scottish immigrant in 1865 and doubled as an impact weapon and a firearm. Three examples of James Reid’s tiny revolver will be offered in this sale. Other items from the Spangler collection include a number of target rifles, like the Sharps Model 1874 Old Reliable falling block rifle ($2,000-$3,000), the Massachusetts Arms Co. Maynard breech loading rifle ($1,000-$1,500), and the Schuetzen falling block rifle ($3,000-$4,000). An offering of nearly a dozen Winchester model 70 hunting rifles will surely incite competition amongst bidders. One exceptional imported firearm in the collection is the Italian Sabatti side by side big bore Safari model double rifle ($3,000-$4,000). Handguns from the collection include a few Colt model 1911 pistols, a few Colt Army revolvers, and the George Madore Hammerli target pistol ($400-$600).

Lot 226, Strong Firearms Co. brass nautical signal cannon; Estimate $1,000-$1,500

Many items offered early in the sale hail from the Civil War era, and include long guns such as the Remington model 1863 Zouave percussion rifle ($1,000-$1,500) and the fine Sharps New Model 1859 falling block military rifle ($2,500-$3,500). Of special mention in the sale is the Civil War First Lieutenant frock coat ($1,000-$1,500) purportedly belonging to Edward Morrill of the 11^th Massachusetts Artillery Battery. The handsome coat, presented on a dress form, is in excellent condition with all eagle buttons intact. Other military ephemera from the 19^th century round out this portion of the sale, such as CDVs, tintypes, various early American flags, silk Civil War company flags and a Presidential Naval Appointment, signed by Andrew Jackson ($300-$500).

Midway through Pook & Pook’s firearms sale are WWI and WWII related firearms from both America and Europe, including the German Mauser model K-98 military bolt action rifle ($300-$500), and the British Enfield No. 5 MK1 jungle carbine ($300-$500). Various edged weapons will follow in sale, and includes the Japanese Gunto military sword and scabbard ($100-$150). Two special lots to watch are the WWI painted doughboy Brodie helmets, dated 1918-1919, with hand painted camouflage and inscriptions of battles in France ($200-$400).

Various contemporary pistols, rifles and shotguns round out the end of the sale. The H.V. Grant engraved Winchester model 21 side by side shotgun ($4,000-$6,000) is a particularly fine example, with elaborate engravings and a fitted felt-lined case. Of special mention are a group of signal cannons, with the finest examples being the Strong Firearms Co. brass nautical signal cannon, with mahogany carriage ($1,000-$1,500) and the Winchester chrome signal cannon ($500-$700).

All of the above mentioned items and many more will be crossing the block on April 13^th beginning at 9am at Pook & Pook’s Downingtown auction house and gallery. Interested bidders are encouraged to contact Pook & Pook, Inc. at info@pookandpook.com or (610) 269-4040 with questions regarding condition reports, in-house, phone, or absentee bidder registration, or to purchase a catalog.  Catalogs can also be viewed online at www.pookandpook.com. Online bidding will be available on www.bidsquare.com. Gallery exhibitions are scheduled for Wednesday, April 10^th through Friday, April 12^th from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Bidders may also preview items the morning of the auction on Saturday, April 13^th from 8:00am-9:00am. Live bidding will commence for this sale at 9am. Pook & Pook is located at 463 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335.