Vintage Marlin Lever Action Rifles
Like its Colt contemporary , Winchester became a collecting icon thanks to its association with the Wild West . As a result , antique Winchester rifles account for 17 of the 50 most expensive guns sold at Rock Island Auction Company and are yet another example of scarcity , historical significance , and popular demand driving growth in the arms collecting market . But Winchester wasn ’ t the only lever gun maker during the 19th century , or even the best according to some collectors .
Despite Winchester ’ s market dominance , Marlin Firearms achieved strong sales throughout the final decades of the American West and saw notable production figures . In today ’ s collecting landscape , sterling condition antique Marlin rifles are often more financially attainable than their Winchester rivals while still carrying similar historic appeal thanks to the platform ’ s heavy use on the frontier and its association with legendary Westerners like Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley .
As the market for classic Westernthemed artwork experiences an impressive uptrend , engraved Marlin rifles offer investors a convergence of two popular collecting fields . The Marlin platform was particularly suited to embellishment , exhibiting some of the most spectacular engraved firearms from the period . The exceptional artistry of master engraver Conrad Ulrich Jr . can be found across a range of Marlin rifles produced between 1881 to 1910 . The rarest examples of Ulrich ’ s work have consistently surpassed their auction estimates in recent sales and make a firm case for vintage Marlins as an investment-worthy collectible for significantly less than their Winchester counterparts . High Art Antique Pistols Norman R . Blank was a modern Renaissance man who indulged in collecting classic Ferraris , fine wine , antiquarian books , Lalique glassware , and European artwork . Mr . Blank ’ s refined tastes and historic sensibilities were also displayed in his distinguished arms collection , which ranged from exquisite 17th century wheellocks to exhibition-quality cartridge guns from the early 20th century . Some of Mr . Blank ’ s finest firearms were high-end antique pistols from exceptional European craftsmen .
Six of the 20 most expensive firearms to sell through the major auction houses are antique pistol pairs . Each of those seven-figure pieces are tied to historic figures like Napoleon , Washington , Hamilton , and Simon Bolivar , but many examples of the genre have garnered impressive prices in recent years based solely on their exceptional artistic merit . One of the highlights of The Norman R . Blank collection , a cased pair of presentation pistols by Parisian master gunmaker Gastinne-Renette , achieved
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