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My wife constantly asks, “Has anything cool shown up at the gallery lately?” and the answer is always “Yes!” She oversees a hospital lab so it’s not like factory .410 Winchester Model 21’s (pictured above) or complete Winchester Cartridge Boards (“Big W” above and “Double W” below) are strolling through her office doors like they do mine. One of the benefits not listed in the auction business job description is that we are temporary caretakers of unique and one-of-a-kind items. Here are a few of my favorite items in our upcoming multi-day Premier Firearms & Antique Sporting Advertising sale on November 15th and 16th.
Lot 701: Winchester 1897 Double “W” Cartridge Board
If you want a custom fit for your 20 Gauge Model 21, how about giving a “Try Gun” a try? Bad dad joke. Made by Winchester in 1939, this “Try Gun” was used by larger Winchester Dealers and Salesmen to fit customers when ordering a Model 21. This shotgun can be fired but also has adjustable components on the stock, allowing for different measurements of Cast, Length of Pull and Drop at Comb or Heel. According to “Winchester’s Finest: The Model 21” by Ned Schwing, less than 10 were made with roughly half in 12 gauge and half in 20 gauge.
Lot 703: SCARCE Winchester Model 21 20 Gauge “Try Gun” Shotgun
When we receive items, there are some pieces that give pause and a smile. This one did it for me. Circa 1920’s, this incredible US Cartridge Company lithograph features eleven different game animals together in a classroom. The graphics and colors in this piece are amazing (remember this article?) with a bear teaching the class and a rabbit sporting the Dunce cap. Notice George Washington on the wall too?
Lot 205: US Cartridge Co “Look Out For The Hunters Who Use US Cartridges & Shells!” Poster
My father-in-law collects shell boxes and I have always admired the graphics and variety among the numerous brands. Salesman and dummy samples are also great conversation pieces but this is one of my new favorites for collectible ammunition. This early wooden countertop display by the St. Louis Shot Tower Company features a colorful lithograph poster of the tower plus a hunter with birds in flight. The display retains 23 various glass tubes containing lead shot of different sizes. Early lead shot was created by dropping molten lead onto screens and allowing the lead to fall from tall heights into a pool of water. Gravity naturally formed the lead into symmetrical spheres instead of the existing method of casting lead.
Lot 238: Rare St. Louis Shot Tower Company Lead Shot Countertop Sample Display & Poster
John Browning once called the A5 his greatest achievement, which speaks volumes in my modest opinion. After A5 production ended in 1998, it is believed that some spare parts were discovered, leading Browning’s Custom Shop to create a very limited quantity of A5 models. The only known examples are in 20 Gauge and 12 Gauge, each available in a Light and Magnum variation. To add more mystery, these variations were engraved with B3 and B4 patterns. Exact production numbers remain uncertain and are a topic of discussion among serious collectors. It is rumored that only eight total gauge and engraving pattern combinations were produced, some with fewer than five known examples. In Day 2 of our Premier Sale, we are offering seven different combinations, all engraved by “B. Romainville”, meaning this offering presents the most complete collection to hit the market at one time. This 20 Gauge Magnum with a B4 pattern is one of my favorites. My late friend, Josh, was an avid Browning and A5 enthusiast who would have been beside himself over these shotguns. Miss you buddy.
Lot 590 – Original Browning Auto-5 Custom Shop 20 Gauge Magnum B4 Engraved & Signed “B. Romainville” w/ Original Case
During the 1920’s, Winchester created five panel displays that were used in stores to advertise products or whole product lines. Each panel was just over 3’ tall and when combined, around 8’ long. The early panels were single sided but as popularity grew, they produced double sided panels that dealers could use for two (or more) weeks at a time. These five panel displays advertised everything Winchester sold at the time from guns, fishing tackle, flashlights and even sporting goods. This example features a duck hunting scene and promotes shotguns/shells on one side with a strutting gobbler and Thanksgiving scene on the reverse.
Lot 709: Early & Complete 1920 Winchester “Goose Hunting” & “Thanksgiving Turkey” 5 Panel Display Sign
Maybe you thought about consigning guns at an auction but have questions about how the process works? Maybe you have some old signs or pieces of advertising laying around and are curious of their value? Do you have questions about a gun or piece of advertising in our Premier sale on November 15th & 16th? Or do you want to just show off some of your collection of guns and advertising? I would love to hear from you! Click here to view the catalog or contact me directly at seth@richmondauctions.com or 336-382-6313. SC Firm #4192.
