BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.3.5//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:9e3c6721-dd51-4f1f-b082-945709090bd7 DTSTART:20260512T130000Z DTEND:20260514T210000Z DTSTAMP:20260526T145026Z SUMMARY:Firearms & Militaria - Featuring the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War DESCRIPTION:Superior-quality and historically-significant firearms hit their targets at Morphy’s May 12-14 Firearms &\; Militaria auction\n \;\n\nHighlights: First-ever DWM 1900 Swiss Luger semi-automatic pistol\, made by DWM in May 1901\, $307\,500\; 1940 Singer Model 1911A1 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol\, $184\,500\n\n \;\n\nDENVER\, Pa. – The first-ever DWM 1900 Swiss Luger semi-automatic pistol\, made by DWM in May 1901 with serial number 01\, hit the mark at $307\,500\; and a Singer Model 1911A1 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol made by the Singer Sewing Machine Co (Elizabeth\, NJ) in 1940\, rang up $184\,500 at Morphy’s 400-lot Firearms &\; Militaria auction held May 12-14\, 2026.\n\n \;\n\nAntique and collectible firearms of superior quality and historical significance were on full display at the auction\, with a special selection honoring the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War that showcased the collections of David Grunberg and Gary Schlottstein.\n\n \;\n\nThe DWM 1900 Swiss Luger semi-automatic pistol was the top lot of the sale. This auction example was in fact the very first Military Contract Luger produced as part of a 610-gun contract for Switzerland\, and which became known as the Model 1900. This pistol has outstanding provenance\, and was part of both Hank Vissner and Geoff Sturgess’s collections.\n\nCondition is superb overall\, with more than 97 percent rust blue finish remaining.\n\n \;\n\nThe Singer Model 1911A1 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol is regarded as the most desirable pistol among .45 automatic collectors worldwide. This example\, one of 500 produced from the original contract\, was only recently discovered and had never before been offered for sale. The gun’s condition was extraordinary. Mechanically excellent\, it retained nearly all of its original dark DuLite finish and had an extremely fine bore and exceptional grips.\n\n \;\n\nAn exquisite circa-1994 Purdey .410 SLE shotgun with case settled within its estimate range at $150\,000. The svelte "ribless" over/under barrels were fitted with a bead front sight on a small 1¼-inch island with smooth ramp and matte textured rib. The shotgun was engraved J Purdey &\; Sons London in Gothic script. Mechanically fine and retaining its factory finishes throughout\, it was recognized by bidders for what it was – a truly extraordinary small-bore shotgun from one of the best makers.\n\n \;\n\nAn outstanding Colt 1921/28 Navy Thompson machine gun with Cutts compensator and “US Navy” marking on the left side of the receiver and an “8” overstamp blew past the $90\,000 high estimate to realize $130\,380. The bore and bolt faces were near-excellent and the mechanics were crisp. This was a very attractive and collectible example of the most popular and sought after of the Thompson machine gun models\, with an appealing US Navy connection.\n\n \;\n\nA Billistics-registered Heckler and Koch 91A3 weapon reworked into a 5.56mm HK23E heavy-barreled machine gun easily bested its $40\,000 high estimate by breezing to $123\,000. The registered receiver tabbed four-position pictograph selector HK 91A3 is a fine and rare recreational machine gun in a popular caliber. The overall appearance and finish are near excellent upon remanufacture\, with matte blue finish on the bipod\, feed shuttles and ammunition can.\n\n \;\n\nA fabulous\, well-proportioned\, extra-finish Purdey 28 gauge over/under shotgun\, circa-1995 per the London proof code\, sold within estimate for $120\,000. The weapon retained virtually all of the factory finishes throughout\, with some very minor marks from handling and display. The Purdey house rose and scroll was upgraded with an extra third bouquet instead of the typical two\, and “J Purdey &\; Sons” is inlaid in gold at the bars. All in all\, it was a fine representation of a nice\, well-balanced small-bore Purdey in a hard-to-fine over/under configuration.\n\n \;\n\nA high-condition specimen of a Colt 1921AC Thompson machine gun\, documented by an Auto-Ordnance letter as having been shipped to Polk County (Sheriff’s Office)\, Des Moines\, Iowa\, on September 25\, 1933\, sold for $110\,700\, slightly above its high estimate. Among the finest-condition Model 1921AC guns in existence\, it retained its original felt-lined trunk case with key\, a vintage brass cleaning rod\, and the original tin box tool/cleaning kit with contents.\n\n \;\n\nAn important French-made .69 smoothbore Model 1774 flintlock musket\, marked and triple-branded “U States\,” changed hands for $39\,360\, just shy of the high estimate. The historic weapon bore many Revolutionary War markings and stamps that evidenced substantial use by the Continental Army and also confirmed it was one of a shipment of muskets that arrived clandestinely in Charleston in 1777 with the Marquis de Lafayette.\n\n \;\n\nAn important and rare Juyo Token Japanese sword with excellent oshigata and papers finished within estimate for $33\,210. This example was made during the middle of the prestigious Nanbokucho period\, around 1350\, and was attributed to the Ko-Yoshii school of the Bizen tradition\, and specifically to the smith Sanenori. Juyo blades rarely find their way to the open market\, due to their rarity and desirability\, making this offering a notable exception.\n\n \;\n\nA Confederate-made Griswold &\; Gunnison revolver\, with distinct brass frame\, more than doubled the $12\,000 high estimate\, realizing $27\,060. The Civil War relic was produced outside of Macon\, Georgia\, at Gunnisonville armory sometime between 1862 and November 1864\, when it was torched by Union troops. A 2nd Model example with a distinctive octagon-shape barrel breech\, it was numbered 2116.\n\n \;\n\nAn engraved Revolutionary War powder horn belonging to Benjamin Wille\, a private in Colonel Alexander Scammell’s 3rd New Hampshire Regiment\, also more than doubled its high estimate\, landing at $20\,910. In 1777\, Wille’s unit was engaged in major battles that directly led to the British surrender. The horn measured about 9 inches across the bow was inscribed "Liberty: And /Property: No /Stamp: Act / 1777" and "Benjaman Wille / His Horn AD 1777.”\n\n \;\n\nA stunning Thomas Ellin &\; Co (Sheffield\, England) cutlery display board likely dating to the Victorian era featured over 100 pieces of cutlery laid out in exhibition-grade manner. The board was complete and all pieces were firmly secured. It showcased firm's capabilities by displaying a variety of cutlery\, including folding knives\, scissors\, razors\, tableware\, utility knives. Each item was numbered for easy cataloging. The cabinet\, 48 inches by 38 inches\, was built by Frank Farmery (1866-1927). The lot sold for $17\,640.\n\n \;\n\nTo discuss consigning to a future Firearms &\; Militaria auction or any other auction hosted by Morphy’s\, please call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential\, and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.\n\n \;\n\n \;\n\nCAPTIONS:\n\n \;\n\nAll images courtesy of Morphy Auctions\n\n \;\n\n1007 –\n\n \n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_N__HIGH_ORIGINAL_CONDITION_COLT_1921AC_THOMPSON_M-LOT655876.aspx\n\nHigh-condition Colt 1921AC Thompson machine gun\, documented by Auto-Ordnance letter as shipped to Polk County (Sheriff’s Office)\, Des Moines\, Iowa\, in Sept. 1933. Sold for $110\,700\n\n \;\n\n1008 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_N__OUTSTANDING_HIGH_CONDITION_COLT_THOMPSON_1921_-LOT655696.aspx\n\nOutstanding Colt 1921/28 Navy Thompson machine gun with Cutts compensator and “U.S. Navy” marking on the left side of the receiver as well as an “8” overstamp. Sold for $130\,380\n\n \;\n\n1027 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_N__BILLISTICS_REGISTERED_HECKLER_AND_KOCH_91A3_RE-LOT666903.aspx\n\nThis Billistics-registered Heckler and Koch 91A3 weapon reworked into a 5.56mm HK23E heavy-barreled machine gun easily bested the $40\,000 high estimate by breezing to $123\,000.\n\n \;\n\n1179 –\n\n \n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_C__IMPORTANT_FIRST_EVER_PRODUCED_DWM_1900_SWISS_L-LOT658702.aspx\n\nFirst-ever DWM 1900 Swiss Luger semi-automatic pistol\, serial number 01\, the first Military Contract Luger produced and part of a 610-gun contract for Switzerland. Sold for $207\,500\n\n \;\n\n1187 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_C__OUTSTANDING_SINGER_MODEL_1911A1__45_ACP_SEMI_A-LOT660708.aspx\n\nSinger Model 1911A1 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol\, manufactured by the Singer Sewing Machine Co in 1940\, one of 500 produced from the original contract. Sold for $184\,500\n\n \;\n\n1226 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__CONFEDERATE_GRISWOLD_PERCUSSION_SINGLE_ACTION_-LOT665701.aspx\n\nConfederate-made Griswold &\; Gunnison revolver with distinct brass frame\, a Civil War relic produced outside of Macon\, Georgia at the Gunnisonville armory\, 1862-1864. Sold for $27\,060\n\n \;\n\n1308 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/AN_IMPORTANT_JUYO_TOKEN_TACHI__DEN_KO_YOSHII_SANEN-LOT664388.aspx\n\nImportant and rare Juyo Token Japanese sword with excellent oshigata and papers\, made during the middle of the prestigious Nanbokucho period\, circa 1350. Sold for $33\,210\n\n \;\n\n1329 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/EXHIBITION_DISPLAY_OF_THOMAS_ELLIN___CO__CUTLERY_-LOT658712.aspx\n\nStunning Thomas Ellin &\; Co (Sheffield\, England) cutlery display board likely dating to the Victorian era\, with 100+ pieces of cutlery laid out in exhibition-grade manner. 48 inches by 38 inches. Sold for $17\,640\n\n \;\n\n1369 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_M__FABULOUS__WELL_PROPORTIONED__EXTRA_FINISH_PURD-LOT653056.aspx\n\nFabulous\, well-proportioned\, extra-finish Purdey 28 gauge over/under shotgun\, circa-1995 per the London proof code\, retaining all of the factory finishes throughout. Sold for $120\,000\n\n \;\n\n1370 –\n\n \n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_M__EXQUISITE_PURDEY__410_OVER_UNDER_SLE_SHOTGUN_W-LOT666291.aspx\n\nCirca-1994 Purdey .410 SLE shotgun with case and svelte "ribless" over/under barrels fitted with bead front sight\, engraved J Purdey &\; Sons London in Gothic script. Sold for $150\,000\n\n \;\n\n2069 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/ENGRAVED_REVOLUTIONARY_WAR_POWDER_HORN_OF_BENJAMIN-LOT668353.aspx\n\nEngraved Revolutionary War powder horn belonging to Benjamin Wille\, a private in Colonel Alexander Scammell’s 3rd New Hampshire Regiment\, 9 inches across the bow. Sold for $39\,360\n\n \;\n\n2092 –\n\n\n\nhttps://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__IMPORTANT_DOCUMENTED_LAFAYETTE_SHIPMENT_MARKED-LOT668401.aspx\n\nImportant French-made .69 smoothbore model 1774 flintlock musket\, marked and “U. States” triple branded\, profusely marked with Revolutionary War markings. Sold for $39\,360\n\n \; LOCATION:Morphy Auctions\, 2000 North Reading Road\, Denver\, PA\, 17517\, United States URL:https://morphyauctions.com/auctions/past-auctions/firearms-militaria-16/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR