Cased Colt Walker Shatters World Record at Auction

posted on April 19, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
walker_1.jpg

All 250+ padded chairs on the Rock Island Auction floor were filled by 9 a.m. on April 13, 2018, and most of the people in them held bidding cards. Normally, the first morning of a three-day firearms auction gets underway sluggishly, with major trademark makes/models hammering in the low four digits at the 100-per-hour rate. The auction “heavyweights” then start appearing during the late morning/early afternoon. This Friday the 13th was intentionally set up to have a different edge, and everyone in the room could sense it given the pre-auction exuberant chatter—not the normal coffee-induced idle chit chat.

The reason? Lot #60—the finest known, well-documented, and historic-cased Colt Civilian Walker revolver, known as “The Danish Sea Captain Walker,” Serial No. 1022, with original bill of sale “From the Inventor” Samuel Colt. With a pre-auction estimate of $800,000 to $1.3 million, and four auction pages dedicated to the description and provenance, this item went on the auction block at 10:30. Many of the people on the floor were convinced they might witness a world record being set for a single gun sold at auction.

Thankfully, auctioneer Kevin Hogan didn’t overhype this lot before the spirited bidding got underway at $650,000, and quickly went up to more than $900,000. There was some hesitation after $900,000, but once it surpassed $1 million, it got down to two bidders on the floor who were increasing their bids in $25,000 increments. Time seems to slow down, and things get very quiet on the floor when a seven-digit firearm is auctioned off. Once the paddles for the two remaining bidders went over $1.5 million, things started winding down. Inching up to $1.55 million, another slow bid at $1.575 million was tendered, followed by the hammer falling after several last calls at $1.6 million. The entire floor immediately erupted into thunderous applause, the auctioneer seemed pleasantly shocked, and all of us realized we had just witnessed history. And how long did this record-breaking auction sale take from start to finish? Less than seven and a half minutes.

At the $1.6 million hammer price, this pistol now qualifies as No. 7 in the “World’s Top 25 Most Expensive Antique Firearms,” as compiled by S.P. Fjestad. Currently, the most expensive item is a $4.5 million for a five-gun set with accessories crafted by Nicolas-Noël Boutet, and presented by Napoleon Bonaparte to Federico Carlos Gravina y Napoli, former Ambassador to France. No. 25 is a Colt SAA, Serial No. 1, which sold by Greg Martin Auctions for $862,500 in 2009, and is a previous record holder for most expensive firearm ($375,000 in 1987).

The author is the publisher of the Blue Book of Gun Values.

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.