J.M. Davis Private Collection Firearm and Artifact Auction

Auction Details

Introduction to the J.M. Davis Private Collection Firearm and Artifact Auction

J.M. Davis ran the Mason Hotel in Claremore, Oklahoma, for his entire career, from 1917 onward. From the age of seven in 1901 until 1965, he was an inveterate collector of all firearms, as well as artifacts reflecting history in Oklahoma and the Mississippi Valley region. To preserve his collection in perpetuity, he created the 40,000-square-foot J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore, which is today managed by the State of Oklahoma. It is the largest firearms Museum in North America.

The museum is a must-see for any weapons collector, displaying an incredible amount and variety of weaponry and famous felon, outlaw, and law enforcement personality items from history.

Proceeds of this sale directly benefit the long-term care and maintenance of the Collection. None of the items in this sale are out of the current museum exhibit displays. Nearly all of the items have been stored away, out of public view, since at least 1965 (54 years!), long before the modern era when most of the well-written and researched reference and table-top books on antique firearms were published. As an example, none of these weapons were known to R. Larry Wilson, a prolific firearms writer and author of approximately 60 books on antique firearms, who as a young man and budding firearms scholar, worked for Colt about the time this part of the collection went into storage.

The sale hosts more than 2200, antique to modern (probably none more recent than 1965) firearms, swords, crossbows and knives. In addition, there is a large section of Americana, featuring Native American stone and pottery items, primarily from Oklahoma and the Mississippi Valley. Items of cultural significance that are not in the sale are designated for, or already transferred to, the Oklahoma State Museum.

Davis was also a button, badge, medal and pinback collector, and there are more than a thousand items in this category, mostly in like-kind groups.

The two-day preview prior to the sale is a must for any serious collector.
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SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size and weight of your purchase. All shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. If additional shipping and handling costs are required, the buyer will be reinvoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size of the package(s). NOTE: Some shipments (of unusual size, dimension, or weight) may require sp...
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Ford Brothers Kentucky Rifle 1840s JMD-1188520166 - Ford Brothers Kentucky Rifle 1840s JMD-11885
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Ford Brothers, Kentucky 1/2 stock, 40 cal, single-shot octagon barrel, ramrod, fixed sights, cheek rest, brass crescent butt plate. SN: N/A, JMD Oval
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b*********v for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Frank Wessen Rifle 1870 JMD-1112320167 - Frank Wessen Rifle 1870 JMD-11123
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Frank Wessen, octagon barrel target rifle in .30 cal. rimfire. SN: 3407, JMD Oval Tag: 10374, Condition: Good, >
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Frank Wessen Single-Shot Rifle 1870's JMD-1113720168 - Frank Wessen Single-Shot Rifle 1870's JMD-11137
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Frank Wessen, single-shot, tip-up rifle with a heavy barrel. Chambered in .32-40 black-powder cartridge. SN: 3843, JMD Oval Tag: 9142, Condi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
Sold to f********l.. for (325.00 + 71.50BP) = 396.50
 
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Frank Wesson Rifle 1873 JMD-1149620169 - Frank Wesson Rifle 1873 JMD-11496
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Frank Wesson.34 rim fire, octagon barrel, blade front/fixed rear sight, no fore grip 9rifle design), metal butt plate. CHECK YOUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY F
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to t******m for (275.00 + 60.50BP) = 335.50
 
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Frank Wesson Rifle 1875 JMD-1149420170 - Frank Wesson Rifle 1875 JMD-11494
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Frank Wesson.34 rim fire, octagon barrel, blade front/ adjustable notch rear sight, no fore grip, metal butt plate. SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 1222, Condi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to p**********n for (300.00 + 66.00BP) = 366.00
 
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Frank Wesson Rifle 1885 JMD-1149020171 - Frank Wesson Rifle 1885 JMD-11490
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Rifle, Frank Wesson.30 rimfire, Tilt barrel. Engraved, silver plated. Octagon barrel. Target sights. SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 3335, Condition: Excellent
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 3,000.00
Sold to d*******f for (1,900.00 + 475.00BP) = 2,375.00
 
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G Wilheilm Kentucky Percusion Rifle 1830's JMD-1021320172 - G Wilheilm Kentucky Percusion Rifle 1830's JMD-10213
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an early half-stock Kentucky rifle. The lock appears to be original to this gun and the architecture is possibly North Carolina due to the len
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,200.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to s******0 for (600.00 + 132.00BP) = 732.00
 
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G. (British crown) Rifle 1850s JMD-1197520173 - G. (British crown) Rifle 1850s JMD-11975
Holabird Western Americana Collections
G. (British crown).77, swivel musket, rare design, barrel length 37.5", breech loader, possibly one of the first breech loader muskets. Leaf ta...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to k*******2 for (3,100.00 + 682.00BP) = 3,782.00
 
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G. Goulcher Kentucky Rifle 1840s JMD-1112520174 - G. Goulcher Kentucky Rifle 1840s JMD-11125
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a full-stock Kentucky rifle in .30 cal. with a Geo. Golcher lock. Possibly an Ohio gun. In rough condition. SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 2120, Condi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to b********d.. for (225.00 + 49.50BP) = 274.50
 
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G. Goulcher Kentucky Rifle 1850s JMD-1113120175 - G. Goulcher Kentucky Rifle 1850s JMD-11131
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a full-stock Kentucky rifle with a curl maple stock and a G. Golcher lock. The architecture and patchbox indicate Western Pennsylvania possibl
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 800.00
Sold to d***c for (1,000.00 + 250.00BP) = 1,250.00
 
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