Want to own a piece of firearms history or maybe just a cool gun you can’t find in your local gun shop or maybe even gun show? Will Sullivan Auction Co.’s Guns & Military Artifacts online auction has 562 items up for bid, but today is the last day to enter your bids. At the time of this writing there is less than 23 hours left to place your bids with lots starting to close at 10 am CST on Saturday, March 16.
This is an online timed event only, and everything will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price. The only way to bid is through ProxiBid, an only auction service. There is no live audience and no phone bids to compete against. A credit card is required to register and to provide bidder verification but is not charged unless you are the high bidder on an item.
Here are just a handful of the cool items up for bid and their descriptions:
1918 U.S. Army Colt 1911, 45 ACP Pistol W/ Holster & Officers Tunic, SN – 294608
PISTOL: According to the Colt Archives serial number database, this Model 1911 was manufactured in 1918. This gun is marked “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY” on the right side of the slide, “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the left side of the frame, “PATENTED APR. 20, 1897. SEPT. 9, 1902/ DEC. 19, 1905. FEB. 14, 1911. AUG. 19, 1913″ & COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO/ HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” on the left side of the slide, “NO. 294608” on the right side of the frame and “JMG” inspector’s monogram on the left side of the frame (J.M. Gilbert found on Colt 1911s from 1917 to 1918 SN 230,001 to 302,000). Features include a 5″ barrel, lanyard ring with twist tied leather strap, diamond checkered wooden grips, two-tone 7-round steel magazine, beavertail grip safety, thumb safety, serrated slide stop, serrated hammer and dovetailed rear sight. This gun appears to be in original condition with some various light bluing wear, has a nice sharp/ clean bore and appears to be in good working order. HOLSTER: M1912 “U.S.” embossed brown leather swivel-type flap holster with hanger & shoulder strap. This holster is marked “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL/ 1914/ H.E.K”, “C.K.” & E.F.M” on the back and “3AER0132” on the front. TUNIC: U.S. Army green officers tunic with brown cuff braids and 3rd Army bullion patch (size unknown). These items sell together as a group. Standard “one gun” shipping charges apply. COLT 1911 HISTORY: The Colt Model 1911 is a single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. Designed by John Browning, the Model 1911 Colt Government is the best known of his designs to use the short recoil principle in its basic design. The pistol was widely copied, and this operating system rose to become the pre-eminent type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. The pistol served as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985 and is widely regarded by gun historians as the best firearm design to date. Battlefield experience in World War I led to some small external changes to the M1911. Completed in 1924, the new version was called the M1911A1.
Original WWII Iwo Jima, Kamikaze Attack Squadron Flag W/ Flight Goggles & Photos
This Imperial Japanese raw silk Kyokujitsuki Rising Sun flag, (31.5” x 27”), reads from center: “SUPREME COMMANDER OF IWO JIMA, KURIBAYASHI TADAMICHI KAMIKAZE ATTACK SQUADRON”. Written in the outer sun rays are the names of each pilot in the squadron. (See photos for names translated to English) ALSO INCLUDES: Original yellow lens flight goggles and two photographs of Mitsubishi Zero aircrafts in flight. Both of these items were obtained together, with the flag, from an original Kamikaze pilot’s family in circa 1970. EXTRA HISTORY: Selling with this outstanding original grouping is the death notice copies of each pilot mentioned on this flag. These copies were recently obtained from official Japanese Government Archives and some clearly bare false dates – crossed out and overwritten. This was done to “buy time” for fortifications on Okinawa & Honshu to be completed for the arrival of the allied Amanda. PROVENANCE: This unique grouping of Japanese WWII items is from an outstanding private Pacific War collection from a retired Japanese doctor. Here is the collection history dictated from the owner: “My collection started in Australia in 1969 when I was assigned to work at the hospital on Bribie Island Sth East Queensland, that was a staging point for allies into the Pacific in particular PNG Malaysia Indonesia, Java, and Guadalcanal. Training for special Z forces commandos’ missions also. Military hospitals were also established on Bribie island & many soldiers retired to Bribie island after the war. I continued collecting after moving to Papua, New Guinea in 1970. I purchased these items from the original Kamikaze’s family in circa 1970-1972 (flag, goggles & photos). Leaving PNG in 1980, I continued collecting in Australia until 1992, then moved back to Japan, collecting throughout Japan. It is currently not clear which Kamikaze pilot’s family these items were sent to. Shipping Cost: $30.00 for lower U.S. – International Shipping based on carrier rates.
G.I. Bring-Back 1943 German Walther (AC43) P.38 (Numbers Matching), 9mm Luger, Semi-Auto, SN – 4128F
This pistol is a WWII GI Bring-Back. The family of the GI is currently looking for a folder that their dad had regarding the many guns that he sent back home or brought back from the war. This folding may have the Bring-Back certificate, and/ or other significant information. The new owner will inherit any relevant paperwork that is found – if it is found. If the family finds anything prior to the auction closing, it will be listed in this description asap…. This WWII German P.38 is marked “ac” (manufactured by Walther), “43” (1943), along with Nazi proof stamps throughout. This gun is numbers matching on all visible parts. SPECS: 5″ Barrel, brown ribbed grips, lanyard ring, dovetailed sights and original Nazi proofed steel magazine. CONDITION: This gun is in nice condition with some various light wear, has a nice sharp/ clean bore and appears to be in good working order. HISTORY: The P.38 is a 9mm Luger semi-automatic pistol that was developed by Carl Walther GmbH as the service pistol of the German Army at the beginning of World War II. The P.38 was a groundbreaking semi-automatic pistol design which introduced technical features still used today in current commercial and military semi-automatic pistols. It was the first locked-breech pistol to use a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger. The P.38 also introduced a visible and tactile loaded chamber indicator in the form of a metal rod that protrudes from the rear of the slide when a round is chambered. During WWII, the P.38 was produced by three separate manufacturers: Walther, Mauser, and Spreewerk. To conceal manufacturer identities, each wartime manufacturer used a letter code: ac (Walther); byf (Mauser), and cyq (Spreewerk).
1881 Winchester Model 1873 (21.25″), 44-40 W.C.F., Lever-Action, SN – 79759
According to Winchester Arms Collector Organization, this Model 1873 (44-40 Winchester Center Fire) was produced in 1881. SPECS: This rifle sports a 21.25″ octagon barrel, smooth walnut stock, crescent metal buttplate with trapdoor compartment, adjustable folding leaf rear sight, dovetailed German silver blade front sight, brass lifter and full-length magazine tube. CONDITION: This gun is showing wear but is solid, has a sharp bore with light pitting and appears to be in good working order. HISTORY: The Model 1873 was one of the most successful Winchester rifles of all time, known as “The Gun That Won the West”, manufactured between 1873 and 1923. It was originally chambered in popular handgun cartridges of the day (44-40, 38-40 & 32-20), allowing users to carry just one type of ammunition. It was produced in three variations: Rifle – 24″ barrel, Carbine – 20″ barrel, and a “musket” which was aimed at military contracts.
1942 U.S. Springfield M1 Garand, 30-06 Sprg., Semi-Auto, SN – 1084899
According to the U.S. M1 Garand Serial Numbers production chart, this U.S. Springfield M1 Garand Rifle represents an original production date of 1942 and sports an SA barrel dated “4-45”. The stock is stamped “RIA/ EB” (Rock Island Armory – Elmer Bjerke) on the left side, “135” (rack number), and “P” (proofed) under the grip. Features include a 24″ barrel, walnut stock & handguard, adjustable aperture rear battle sight, wing protected front post sight, bayonet lug, sling rings with period correct tan canvas sling, checkered metal buttplate with cleaning kit compartment (includes kit) and 8-round internal magazine. This gun is in nice condition with very light battle wear, has a sharp/ clean bore and appears to be in good working order. HISTORY: The M1 Garand is a .30-06 caliber semi-automatic rifle that was the standard U.S. service rifle during World War II and the Korean War. The M1 rifle was named after its Canadian-American designer, John Garand. The M1 Garand replaced the bolt-action M1903 Springfield as the standard U.S. service rifle in 1936, and General George S. Patton called it “the greatest battle implement ever devised”. It is a gas-operated, 8 shot clip-fed, semi-automatic rifle that is 43.6″ long, weighs about 9.5 pounds and has a 24″ barrel. The M1 Garand was made in large numbers, primarily by U.S. Springfield, during World War II.
1931 Colt “Bankers Special” (2″), 38 S&W, Revolver, SN – 350522
According to Colt Archives Serial Number Database, this “Bankers Special” was produced in 1931. HISTORY: The Colt Bankers Special is one of the most valuable of the small “modern” Colts. It is a small double-action revolver that was made from 1926 to 1943 with a very short barrel (2 inches). A total of only 35,000 were manufactured in the following calibers: 22 LR (very rare), 32 S&W Long, and 38 S&W (not 38 Special). Many non-collectors get confused because it says Banker’s Special alongside the number 38 on the barrel, so they assume it must be 38 SPL. – no Banker Specials were ever chambered for 38 Special. The Banker’s Special was the official side-arm of the U.S. Post Office railway clerks from 1928 until the 1940s. SPECS: This gun sports a standard 2″ barrel, brown checkered Bakelite grips, serrated hammer, fixed sights and 6-shot swing-out cylinder. CONDITION: This gun is in beautiful condition with no wear to speak of, has an excellent sharp/ clean bore & appears to be in good working order. INTERESTING FACT: An interesting footnote to the Banker’s Special is that on the 60s TV programs from Hollywood (77 Sunset Strip and the FBI series) Efraim Zimbalist Jr. carried a Banker’s Special. He was not a large man, so all other revolvers that were put in his hand made him look even smaller. Someone purchased a Banker’s Special in the 32 Long Colt caliber and that is what he carried for the duration of those shows.
1916 DWM Luger P.08, 9mm, (W/ Holster) – Named W/ WWII Capture Papers & History, SN – 3096
This 1916 DWM Luger P08 Pistol is a WWII U.S. “bring back” from Ronald M. Elting, 2nd Lt, TC (Ronald passed away in 1952 – consigned by his family). HISTORY: On December 9, 1945, 2nd Lt. Elting was commissioned to captain the vessel “Hansestadt”, also known as “Hitler’s Yacht”, from the town of Cologne (Koln) to Christhof-Ruthof shipyard. This yacht was a gift from the city of Koln to Hitler in the early 1930s and was used by Hitler, and other high ranking Nazi officials, to travel the Rhine River. One month prior to this sailing order, 2nd Lt. Elting requested, and was granted, permission from the United States War Department to retain possession of this DWM P08 Luger. DOCUMENTATION INCUDED: Official German Waterway, U.S. Zone, Eltville/ Rhein signed Permit No. 0001 (which officially made the ship “U.S. Property”) under new captain Lt. Ronald M. Elting, T.C., dated September 15, 1945 (framed). Certificate Of Captured Enemy Equipment “LUGER SEMI AUTO PISTOL/ MODEL 1916 – 9MM/ SERIAL NO 3096” signed by headquarters; Harbor Craft Detachment APO 757 Request For Authorization Of Weapon, dated “2nd November, 1945”, signed by Ronald M. Elting, Walter G. Swistowicz (HC Det. Commander) & Joseph Good ( Chief Administration); European Theater Orders – “MOVEMENT OF HANSA STADT KOLN (HITLER’S YACHT)/ CAPTAIN OF HANSA STADT KOLN ATTN: LT. ELTING” signed by Walter Swistowicz (HC Det. Commander); (2) Original small black & white photographs of the yacht taken by Lt. Elting; Original 9.5″x7.5″ black & white photograph with “U.S. Army” lettering; (2) Printed photographs of the yacht from the book “WWII German War Booty” by Thomas M Johnson; original 27″ x 21″ blueprint of the yacht, Communications Zone Europe shoulder patch, and Army Service Forces shoulder patch. PISTOL: DWM/Erfurt Model 1914 – German Military Contract, dated 1916. CONDITION: This P08 Luger sports a full nickel finish, 4″ barrel, checkered wooden grips and wood bottom magazine. This gun has a sharp/ clean bore and appears to be in good working order. This gun appears to be all original, visible numbers matching (with the exception of the magazine) with WWI era Imperial German Army markings. HOLSTER: Brown leather shell holster with Bavarian 2nd Corp. “Crown II” stamped on the back and “HOHMANN & SOHN/ KAISERSLAUTERN/ 1918” stamped on the inside of the flap. ASSESSMENT: The oral family history of this gun is that it was surrendered to Lt. Ronald M. Elting by a high-ranking German Officer who has some sort of affiliation with the Hansestadt (Hitler’s Yacht). This entire grouping of items was inherited by Mr. Elting’s sister at the time of his death in the 1952. All of these items have been stored in a military trunk from that time until just recently. These items have been unseen and forgotten for over 70 years. WWII G.I. “Trophies Of War” with official documentation are among the most desirable items for early military collectors and historians. The story associated with this pistol is not only interesting, but also extremely unique. This pistol with paperwork/ history would not only display well but would be a great addition to any historical collection.
As in every auction, expect a number of items, particularly the most collectible and most rare, to go for ridiculous prices, particularly as the bids begin to close. But a quick scan at a number of the more ordinary and commonly purchasable firearms toward the back pages with just over 22 hours to go shows some pretty good guns still available for very reasonable, if not downright, affordable prices. Now that is all likely to change, but it appears with more than 500 items available for sale, it looks like some people get tired of looking and scrolling through items in the first part of the auction so fewer eyeballs make it to the later items.
If you decide to bid, make sure you are familiar with any fees (there are some), shipping requirements and costs and all other terms and conditions.
Happy bidding or at the very least, happy dreaming. It’s fun just to see what’s available.
