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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Rook Single-Shot Target Shotgun 1880 JMD-1023520770 - Rook Single-Shot Target Shotgun 1880 JMD-10235
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Rook target rifle in very good condition. Chambered in 8 mm. SN: FL 9. C, JMD Oval Tag: 6614, Condition: Excellent, >
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to b*********A for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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Rook Swing Block Shotgun 1890s JMD-1173020771 - Rook Swing Block Shotgun 1890s JMD-11730
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Belgian Flobert Rook rolling block.32 rim, octagon barrel, bead front/ notch rear sight, metal butt plate. SN: 13, JMD Oval Tag: 9091, Condition: Poor
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to x********s.. for (60.00 + 13.20BP) = 73.20
 
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Roper Repeating Rifle Shotgun 1860s JMD-1196620772 - Roper Repeating Rifle Shotgun 1860s JMD-11966
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Roper Repeating Rifle, 16 GA, fixed sights, smooth stock, rubber butt plate. SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 9232, Condition: Good, >
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to t******m for (800.00 + 176.00BP) = 976.00
 
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Stevens 1884 Shotgun 1884 JMD-1079620773 - Stevens 1884 Shotgun 1884 JMD-10796
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a Stevens, single-shot shotgun model 1884, 12 ga. in fair condition. SN: 1011, JMD Oval Tag: 7287, Condition: Fair, >
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to h********@.. for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Stevens Arms & Tool Co Take Down Shotgun 1890 JMD-1168020774 - Stevens Arms & Tool Co Take Down Shotgun 1890 JMD-11680
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Stevens Arms & Tool Co.44, take down, tip up barrel, bead front sight. Smooth fore/pistol grip, rubber butt plate. SN: 678R, JMD Oval Tag: 1202,...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 200.00 | Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Syracuse Forging & Gun Co. SxS Shotgun 1880's JMD-1246320775 - Syracuse Forging & Gun Co. SxS Shotgun 1880's JMD-12463
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Syracuse Forging & Gun Co., SxS, double barrel, hammerless, 16 ga. shotgun, Damascus barrels, newer recoil pad installed. Front sight intact. Or...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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TENNEWITZ.KATSERSLAUTERN Black Powder Shotgun 1880s JMD-1105720776 - TENNEWITZ.KATSERSLAUTERN Black Powder Shotgun 1880s JMD-11057
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a shotgun, made by TENNEWITZ.KATSERSLAUTERN, Black Powder, gauge unknown. Rare and in fair condition. SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 2849, Condition:
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (130.00 + 32.50BP) = 162.50
 
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Unknown mfr. "the needle cut" Shotgun 1880s JMD-1229220777 - Unknown mfr. "the needle cut" Shotgun 1880s JMD-12292
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Unknown manufacturer, "the needle cut" French Musket Converted to 12-gauge shotgun SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 2722, Condition: Poor, >
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to h********h.. for (80.00 + 17.60BP) = 97.60
 
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Unknown mfr. Experimental Shotgun 1840's JMD-1067120778 - Unknown mfr. Experimental Shotgun 1840's JMD-10671
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is an experimental shotgun made for paper cartridges. Possibly a tool room sample in the manufacturing process. Rare. about .50 cal. SN: N/A, JMD
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 800.00
Sold to h********h.. for (550.00 + 121.00BP) = 671.00
 
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Unknown mfr. Experimental Shotgun 1850 JMD-1066520779 - Unknown mfr. Experimental Shotgun 1850 JMD-10665
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This is a revolving shotgun of an unknown maker. Experimental, at 20 ga. In poor condition extremely rare. SN: N/A, JMD Oval Tag: 9240, Condition: Poo
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 800.00
Sold to b****t for (750.00 + 187.50BP) = 937.50
 
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