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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Stone Grinding Rocks JMD-1517730300 - Stone Grinding Rocks JMD-15177
Holabird Western Americana Collections
One mortar and three pestels. No location data. Stone mortar is about 9" diameter.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to u********e.. for (120.00 + 26.40BP) = 146.40
 
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Stone Hammer JMD-1514230301 - Stone Hammer JMD-15142
Holabird Western Americana Collections
22" handle, oval head
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to d*******f for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Stone Hammer JMD-1514330302 - Stone Hammer JMD-15143
Holabird Western Americana Collections
29" handle, conical head
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to a******a for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Stone Knife group JMD-1518630303 - Stone Knife group JMD-15186
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 50 stone knives from the Davis Collection. No location data shown, probably midwestern. Great variety and "wow" factor.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to h*********1 for (450.00 + 112.50BP) = 562.50
 
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Stone Mortar and Pestel JMD-1527730304 - Stone Mortar and Pestel JMD-15277
Holabird Western Americana Collections
10" diameter, 4" tall. Carved granite. No location data.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Stone Pipe Beginnings JMD-1527430305 - Stone Pipe Beginnings JMD-15274
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two stone pipe beginnings. Basic carving completed, needing to finish holes and designs. Larger is 10"
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to u********e.. for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Stone Sinkers JMD-1513330306 - Stone Sinkers JMD-15133
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Nine stone sinkers, several with old museum labels showing an Oregon source. 4-8" in diameter. Used as fishing weights, possibly with nets.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to f*********e for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Stone Tool Collection JMD-1515430307 - Stone Tool Collection JMD-15154
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 35 stone tools from the midwest. Labeled loacations include Jefferson and Boone Counties, Missouir and Alma Kansas. Geberally 6-9", white...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Stone Tools JMD-1517630308 - Stone Tools JMD-15176
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Group of about 16 diversified use stone tools. Includes "stemmed hoe", three holed rocks for sinkers, scrPERS, HOES AND OTHERS. Size varie...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to c******K for (50.00 + 11.00BP) = 61.00
 
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Tiny Bird and Quartz Points JMD-1527130309 - Tiny Bird and Quartz Points JMD-15271
Holabird Western Americana Collections
This eclectic group of points was on display at the museum for fifty years. These ornate little bird points are as cute as it gets, made of varied col
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (350.00 + 87.50BP) = 437.50
 
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Tomahawk or Stone Hammer Collection JMD-1517530310 - Tomahawk or Stone Hammer Collection JMD-15175
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Significant collection of 24 large hammers with chiseled point and groovedhead for attachment . Many locations are found on early labels from the 1920
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 250.00 | Estimate : 500.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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Turtle Shell Rattle JMD-1514630311 - Turtle Shell Rattle JMD-15146
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Turtle shell ratttle on covered and painted stick, 17"
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
Sold to u********r.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Unusual Awls and Points JMD-1515330312 - Unusual Awls and Points JMD-15153
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 35 pieces. Clearly from multi sources. Note the differing styles of the awls. The backs of many of the points have an adhesive from museum mount
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Unusual Ax Heads JMD-1511230313 - Unusual Ax Heads JMD-15112
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Four pieces, one from Eden, Kansas collected 1929; another labeled Cherokee Co., OK. Largest about 6"
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*****e for (95.00 + 23.75BP) = 118.75
 
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Unusual Clay Water Jug JMD-1525530314 - Unusual Clay Water Jug JMD-15255
Holabird Western Americana Collections
The musseum label was missing from this unique piece, that has red and black painted portions, We suspect South American, but do not know. 10" ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 1,500.00
Sold to v*******v for (160.00 + 35.20BP) = 195.20
 
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Vintage Figural Clay Pipe JMD-1506730315 - Vintage Figural Clay Pipe JMD-15067
Holabird Western Americana Collections
c. early 1800's head pipe, 14.5"
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to c******K for (40.00 + 8.80BP) = 48.80
 
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Water Basket  JMD-1518130316 - Water Basket JMD-15181
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Paiute water basket. Single loop handle, 8" tall, 8" diameter. Red pine pitch seal. Classic.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to a******a for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Wood Shoes and Old Ice Skates JMD-1526230317 - Wood Shoes and Old Ice Skates JMD-15262
Holabird Western Americana Collections
1 pair wooden shoe, 2 pairs old attachable ice skates
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to B****7 for (20.00 + 5.00BP) = 25.00
 
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Woodland Projectile Points JMD-1521130318 - Woodland Projectile Points JMD-15211
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large group of "woodland" points as identified by the old curator. Perhaps 150 points here, not counted. This is a classic Missouri point....
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to s********b.. for (475.00 + 118.75BP) = 593.75
 
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Vintage Bead Belt JMD-1506830319 - Vintage Bead Belt JMD-15068
Holabird Western Americana Collections
39" gray, multi-color beaded belt
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 50.00 - 100.00
Sold to w********o for (35.00 + 8.75BP) = 43.75
 
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