WILLOUGHBY, OHIO.- Milestone’s Premier Firearms Auction chalked up $1,425,000 on September 13-14 in suburban Cleveland, with a widely varied selection of weapons that encompassed rare and historically-important antique, vintage and contemporary productions from American, European and Japanese arms manufacturers. The sale’s 1,206 hand-selected lots included all of the most popular collector categories, such as World War II, Nazi, BATF-NFA, Civil War, Old West, sporting, and more.

The auction’s top-10 list was led by three fantastic WWII arms that were fully transferable pending BATF approval prior to conveyance to their new owners. The first was a US M3 “Grease Gun” submachine gun made sometime between 1943 and 1945 by General Motors’ Guide Lamp Division in Anderson, Indiana, the exclusive WWII manufacturer of the M3 and M3A1. The gun retained 95% metal, had a bright bore, and was fully operational. It came with an impressive selection of like-new support items in their original packaging: 12 mil-spec magazines, a complete parts kit, 29 rubber magazine covers, an oiler and sling kit, a 3-cell mag pouch, canvas weapon cover, and two technical manuals. It surpassed its high estimate in selling for $40,950.

Next in line was a Nazi-proof WWII Steyr-Solothurn MP-34 submachine gun, nicknamed the “Rolls-Royce of submachine guns” because of the superior materials and expertise that sent into its manufacture. This very fine gun from a 1934-1940 production run was based on a design for the MP-19 by the Rheinmetall company of Dusseldorf, Germany. The extensive accessory package that came with the MP-34 included a parts kit, 9mm barrels, a top cover, trigger guard, bolts with charging handles, a WWII wooden ammo box for magazines, a 3-cell magazine pouch with magazines, a leather case cling kit with tools, and a bag with trigger group parts. The gun retained 95% of its original finish and had a bright bore and strong rifling. Also, the stock was serialized to the receiver and Nazi proofed, which added to is desirability. It settled above high estimate at $32,400.



Rounding out the formidable trio that led the auction’s final results was a rare German Bergmann MP-35/I select-fire machine gun, SS-marked and manufactured between 1933 and 1943. It was built to fire either semi-auto with a single pull of the trigger or automatic with its pull-and-hold feature. The design also incorporated a barrel that was easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance. Made from sturdy German milled steel, this highly-prized model was supplied primarily to security forces and SS formations. The auction example retained 75% of its original finish, had a bright bore and exhibited very strong rifling. Accessorized with a canvas sling and eight original 32-round magazines, it rose to the upper end of its estimate range, closing at $29,400.



A set of Sowers (Philadelphia) .44 bore percussion Kentucky dueling pistols with brass hardware displayed engraved percussion locks that were stamped JON n Sowers Philadelphia and came in an authentic mahogany Joseph C. Grubb and Co., Philadelphia, gun case. The pistols were purchased from Jackson Arms of Dallas, Texas in 1964, at which time it was believed they were made by Sowers in the 1840s-1850s. An accompanying original letter from Jackson Arms, dated February 18, 1964, describes the guns in minute detail and provides considerable additional information about their history. The signatory, Mr. L C Jackson, states in his letter that the drum on one pistol was replaced and with the exception of that repair, he believed the guns to be both excellent and entirely original specimens of their type. Many accessories were included with the pistols, including a period flask, horn-handle brush, single-cavity bullet mold stamped “68,”’ and more. The lot sold near the top of its estimate range at $7,800.



A witness to the rough-and-tumble days of the American West, a Colt Single Action Army Revolver manufactured in 1881 was nickel-plated and adorned with engraved cattle brands and a caliber marking on the left side of the barrel. Its one-piece ivory grips were adorned with “Texas Ranger” medallions. Refinished at some point in the past, it still presented beautifully, with 95% of its re-applied nickel finish intact. Against a $3,000-$5,000 estimate, the eye-catching SAA was bid to $6,900.



There was no shortage of interest in a rare China-contract imported Browning Hi-Power MK1 made in 1945 by Inglis Canada / Browning-FN. Marked on its left side with Chinese characters of the Chinese Nationalist Army, it showed matching serial numbers on the frame, slide and barrel. Additionally, it was import-marked on the heel of the frame. Together with its correct holster-stock dated S.A. LTD 1945, it sold for $4,440 against a $1,400-$2,000 estimate.



Dating back to a critical period in British history when the monarchy was intent on quelling the rebellious colonists on the other side of the Atlantic, an 18th-century British Beman flintlock brass-barrel blunderbuss displayed a unique design with a brass cannon muzzle barrel, spring-loaded bayonet, brass hardware and walnut stock. The lock was still in its original flintlock configuration, and attractive engraving decorated the brass trigger guard, buttplate, barrel breech, iron lock and tang. A German silver oval inlay at the wrist and a silver inlay at the barrel wedge added a touch of luxury, while the high-quality rosewood ramrod was nicely finished with brass caps. In Very Fine condition, it sold above its high estimate at $4,320.



A Winchester Model 70 .22 caliber bolt action Hornet rifle, manufactured in 1947, would have been immediately identified by collectors as a legendary rifle known for its accuracy, reliability and classic design. Introduced in 1936, it quickly earned the moniker "The Rifleman's Rifle" and remained a popular choice for hunters and shooters for decades. The model is distinguished by its Mauser-inspired action, controlled-round feeding, and three-position safety. Handily exceeding its high estimate, the auction example attracted a winning bid of $3,840.

To discuss consigning firearms or militaria to a future auction hosted by Milestone, call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: www.milestoneauctions.com