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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Knights of Pythias Fraternal Swords JMD-1255530060 - Knights of Pythias Fraternal Swords JMD-12555
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three Fraternal Swords, none marked on the blade or handle, but the only one with a scabbard has the FCB of the Knights of the Pythias. Carved bone ha
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (275.00 + 68.75BP) = 343.75
 
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Lion Head Swords JMD-1218230061 - Lion Head Swords JMD-12182
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two very different swords with lion heads. A) gold palted brass "Yzerhouwer" on the blade, 30" long, no scabbard; b) unmarked curved ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 500.00
Sold to b********d.. for (375.00 + 82.50BP) = 457.50
 
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Lion Head Swords JMD-1218830062 - Lion Head Swords JMD-12188
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Two heavy duty swords with brass handles with lion heads alla s one piece handles. 18" blades, a pair. On top of the blade is a crown with an L...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Long Blade Knife Misc. Group JMD-1258430063 - Long Blade Knife Misc. Group JMD-12584
Holabird Western Americana Collections
five different long blade knives of different origin and vintages. A) 19.5" blade, no mfg, early 19thc; b) carved bone handle, blod letting gro...
Bidding Has Concluded
Start Price : 100.00 | Estimate : 200.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Matching Military Swords JMD-1238430064 - Matching Military Swords JMD-12384
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Three matching military swords with metal scabbards. No maker, only the serial number at the top of the blades. All three idenitical. Perhaps c1900? J
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to l*****l for (500.00 + 125.00BP) = 625.00
 
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Medieval Sword, Western Europe JMD-1234130065 - Medieval Sword, Western Europe JMD-12341
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Fancy engraved blade with floral patterns, unusual animal skin with large plates and claw wrapping handle. Three linerar grooves at hilt end for blodd
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 2,500.00
Sold to t******m for (700.00 + 154.00BP) = 854.00
 
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Military Battle Sword JMD-1232330066 - Military Battle Sword JMD-12323
Holabird Western Americana Collections
in French, "manuf de Chatellerault Mars, 1851" engraved on the top edge of the sword. At the top of the blade are three stacked makers sym...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to L*****3 for (200.00 + 50.00BP) = 250.00
 
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Military Bayonet Group JMD-1221030067 - Military Bayonet Group JMD-12210
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Five military bayonets of differing age, manufacture and design. A) S175K, 9.75" blade, no sheath; B) W.P. ERKIN, metal sheath, 10" blade;...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 1,000.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (190.00 + 47.50BP) = 237.50
 
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Military Bayonet Spikes JMD-1219430068 - Military Bayonet Spikes JMD-12194
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Eight different spikes for differing guns. Lengths range from 12" to 21". One marked Sherman. Lease inspect. JMD Tag: g751, g494, g761, g...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 600.00
Sold to d*******f for (225.00 + 56.25BP) = 281.25
 
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Military Bayonets (2) JMD-1212430069 - Military Bayonets (2) JMD-12124
Holabird Western Americana Collections
two bayonets, "42.CUL", 10: blade, metal scabbard and leather holder; :Carl Eichorn, Solingen"10" blade. Metal scabbard. JMD Ta...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to h*********1 for (140.00 + 35.00BP) = 175.00
 
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