An 1886 Winchester rifle recently became the most expensive gun to ever sell at an auction. The rifle had previously been presented to US Army Captain Henry W. Lawton, the man who captured the Apache leader, Geronimo.
The gun, sold at Rock Island Auction Company’s most recent sale, was just off the production line and was the first 1886 Winchester rifle to ever be produced when it was gifted to Lawton by Lieutenant George E. Albee.
“It is an honor to be entrusted with an American treasure,” said RIAC President Kevin Hogan. “Being serial number one and possessing such outstanding condition would alone be enough to draw six figures at auction. When you add one of the most famous names in the history of the Old West you have a huge crossover appeal and set the stage for something special to happen.”
While other guns have sold for more as a pair in previous auctions, this rifle took the record for the most expensive single firearm sold at auction.
Image: accurateshooter.com
“For decades firearms have provided an alternative form of investment and this is clear proof of that,” says RIAC CEO Patrick Hogan. With firearms sales spiking in the previous two presidential election years and the new world record price, the future appears extremely rosy for the gun collecting market.
“It also ties closely to the FBI’s report listing March 2016 as the 11th consecutive month of NICS background checks where each month’s total is larger than the same month a year prior. “For decades firearms have provided an alternative form of investment and this is clear proof of that,” says RIAC CEO Patrick Hogan. With firearms sales spiking in the previous two presidential election years and the new world record price, the future appears extremely rosy for the gun collecting market.”
“The rifle’s story begins with two brothers-in-arms during the Civil War who went their different ways after that conflict, one electing to continue a lifelong military career while the other pursued firearms and their development. When the former, Captain Henry Ware Lawton, captured Geronimo in 1886 the latter, Lieutenant George E. Albee, was working for Winchester and able to secure serial number one of their newest rifle design. He presented it to his old war buddy and lifelong friend to commemorate Lawton’s remarkable achievement.”
