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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Central European Swords (2) JMD-1236530040 - Central European Swords (2) JMD-12365
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Bavarian sword, "In Treue Fest", no maker, engraved 2 sides (c1930), no scabbard, 33"; second has no maker, slight curve, metal scabb...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to y*****6 for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Civil Was, US Military Ohligs Knife JMD-1231330041 - Civil Was, US Military Ohligs Knife JMD-12313
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Large military style knive with wood sheath, marked Ohligs, with US eagle and the date 1861. US military style wood handle, heavy duty. SN L261. JMD T
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 500.00
Sold to a******a for (400.00 + 100.00BP) = 500.00
 
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Early Crossbow  JMD-1067730042 - Early Crossbow JMD-10677
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Early european crossbow. Ornate carved Ivory or bone inlays. Trigger mechanism with trigger guard. 22" crossbeam of iron, 28" stock, flip ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,000.00 - 12,000.00
Sold to j******0 for (2,500.00 + 625.00BP) = 3,125.00
 
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Crossbow, 20th Century JMD-1246530043 - Crossbow, 20th Century JMD-12465
Holabird Western Americana Collections
No manufacturer shown, bow 19" across, stock 26" long. "GOK, 1918" on leqther.
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 50.00 | Estimate : 100.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Decorative British Sword JMD-1236230044 - Decorative British Sword JMD-12362
Holabird Western Americana Collections
27" small blade, nearly a "foil", brass and inlaid motehr of pearl handle JMD Tag: s303
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to k*********w for (275.00 + 60.50BP) = 335.50
 
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Early European Swords (2) JMD-1218430045 - Early European Swords (2) JMD-12184
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two early swords of very similar design but different ages. A) Handle with design similar to B) but has a basket, and B) does not. 34" blade wi...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Early US Military Swords JMD-1235330046 - Early US Military Swords JMD-12353
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two swords of indentical design but differing ages. The first has engraving with gold wash highlights. The key insignia is a shield with 13 stars over
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to a******a for (1,000.00 + 250.00BP) = 1,250.00
 
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Early Western European Sword JMD-1231230047 - Early Western European Sword JMD-12312
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Contains a house crest within the engraved patterns. More research necessary. Deer horn and brass handle23.5" blade. Appears to easily pre-date...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to j******0 for (375.00 + 93.75BP) = 468.75
 
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Eur-Asian Sword Group JMD-1234430048 - Eur-Asian Sword Group JMD-12344
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five large swords of differing designs, possibly from Persia to parts of Asia. Needs inspection. Average blade length 22", four with wood scabb...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (450.00 + 112.50BP) = 562.50
 
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Euro-Mediterranean Swords JMD-1218130049 - Euro-Mediterranean Swords JMD-12181
Holabird Western Americana Collections
A) no mfg, bone and brass handle, 23" blade Persian-style pattern engraving; B)Egyptian style, brass inlay in blade, 12.5" blade, no mfg.;...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 600.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (650.00 + 162.50BP) = 812.50
 
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