Colt single-action revolver – $517,500 (£395,000) at Rock Island.
1866 Model Winchester – estimate $20,000-30,000 at Rock Island on February 13-16.
If proof were needed that firearms sales are simply conducted on a completely different scale in the US, one need look no further than the three-day sale at Rock Island Auctions (18.5% buyer’s premium) in Illinois on December 6-8. Topped by a $575,000 (£439,000) gold plated Marlin rifle made for presentation to Annie Oakley, this event totalled $16m, bringing the firm’s overall sales for the year to $77m.