Model 1907 U.S. Military Trials Pistols

[Scott Gahimer]

I recently inspected several pistols sold at the recent RIA auction, and then followed the sales results for the (53) lots I inspected. There are always a few items that sell at prices much higher and lower than expected. That may be because I personally inspect items, rather just relying on the descriptions provided, so it's only natural my opinions of value may differ from those who have not inspected the items.

Anyway, a couple items that really seemed to have a lot of bidder interest were the trials pistols. Both the Colt and the Savage sold for higher prices than I expected. The Colt M1907 sales price even surpassed the Singers in this sale. The Singers may have had reserves that were not met, and bidding died out early on a couple. The one Singer (employee presentation) brought $70K plus the 15% buyer premium.

The Colt M1907 in the sale sold for $90K plus the 15% ($103.5K!). This is not the pistol offered in the sale, but is an all original example with some good provenance...direct hits in the SRS database and National Archives. It was issued to "buffalo soldiers" serving in the Philippines. This pistol was then returned to Colt (with the others) for modifications/upgrades and re-issued to the same Cavalry unit here in the U.S.



The Savage M1907 in the sale sold for $37.5K plus 15% premium ($43,125). The pistol I show here has the original finish applied to pistols used in the trials when they were reconditioned and prepared to be sold. It was issued to troops at Ft. Wingate for field use in the pistol trials. The pistol in the RIA sale had a different blue finish.



Another pistol that did well at the sale was a NAA in relatively rough condition. It sold for $40K plus 15% premium ($46K). One of the biggest surprises to me was a Party Leader Walther PPK rig that sold for $55K plus 15% premium ($63,250.) Wow! Who's have ever thought....

[oldcanuck]

A rough North American for $46x....... Wow......nice to know old #55 just took a jump in value....!!!!

[westgard]

Heh, heh - i was thinking about the same thing for mine. Mine too was fairly 'rough', certainly not a high condition gun, but I was shocked to see how much this one went for at auction..!

[Scott Gahimer]

The tough thing about auctions is you never know what someone might bid. The next one sold might sell for twice as much...or half as much. Normally when something goes through the ceiling, I think it's a pretty small crowd putting it there. You never know what motives a bidder has.

I can just imagine how many people are planning to sell their Party Leader PPk rigs for $60K, too!

[westgard]

Yes, it could be anything that drives the price sky high. I once significantly overpaid for a 1911, very early X-number - the reason was because it was the next one in the range, giving me two consecutive serial number guns. I don't know what the other guys motivation was that I was bidding against, I guess he had his reason too. But if it wasn't for the fact that I already had it's 'brother' I would never have paid what I did for the gun.

[Johnny P]

All it takes is two people determined not to get beat down, until reality sinks in on one of them.

While marking prices up or down, a few others to change:

Remington Rand Demo for $10,157.
1918 Colt 251000 range for $10,157.
Singer "PROTOTYPE 3" for $35,850.

[Rob Greer]

I also have a hard time understanding a refinished RS for $11,500...

[joem]

When I first saw the ad for the 1907 Savage I phoned in a bid of $5000.00. Very nice woman took all mt information and entered my phone bid. Next day I get a call from auction company asking if the girl made a mistake and forgot a zero in my bid. That's when he told me they expected the pistol to sell for somewhere between $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 and asked if i wanted to raise my bid. I declined his offer. Sure wish I had the money to buy it.