The renowned auction house Hermann Historica again invites you to the autumn presence auctions in Munich, Germany. But of course, if you can't travel you can also submit written bids on individual lot numbers in advance or bid online. "Live" previews of all auction items are at least possible (be sure to register in advance!).
As always, all4shooters.com has had a chance to look through both catalogs in advance; Hermann Historica has also announced some particularly interesting pieces in more detail. The link to the online catalogs can be found at the very bottom.
Hermann Historica: Fine Antique and Modern Firearms – Autumn Auction 2023 - These are the highlights
Right at the beginning, the auction house comes up with a real gem: under lot number 2006, a luxury tüfek (rifle) from the Ottoman empire comes up for bid. The barrel is inlaid over its entire length with rich floral ornaments in gold. Also the precious silver hallmarks on the five barrel bands make this long gun from 1800 a masterpiece of craftsmanship. This has its value and thus its price: starting at 12,000 euros, it will probably change hands. o più.
Still in the luxury version, Hermann Historica can offer a pair of splendid wheellock rifles from around 1680 (lot number 2023). The famous gunmaker Joseph Mayr from Innsbruck had not spared on fine and special engravings for this particular item. The locks, for example, feature rich brass appliqués and embellished with vivid animals and grotesque masks emerging amidst leafy vines. The starting price of €15,000 includes the two patch boxes with sliding lids and various accessories.
If we stay in the luxury segment, lot number 2033 should not go unmentioned among the numerous short hunting rifles that will be offered for bidding on this day. Starting at 14,000 euros as the minimum bid, Hermann Historica is offering a refined flintlock carbine from circa 1730. The master of this luxury firearm is none other than Johann Adam Knod. He was one of the most talented gunsmiths of the Karlovy Vary school and catered to the nobility who frequented the Bohemian spa town. The elegant hunting gun offered here features richly decorated fire-gilded furniture. The octagonal bronze barrel, slightly constricted in the middle, with fire gilding over the entire surface, comes with an approximately 30-mm long loading shell at the muzzle. The six-groove rifled barrel bore is in 12 mm caliber.
The percussion pistol shown in the picture at the very top of this article, made by the well-known Göttingen gunsmith Ludwig Störmer, has been given lot number 2075 and a starting bid of 5,000 euros. The recipient of the gun is believed to be the Ottoman statesman and diplomat Mustafa Resit Pasha (1800-58), who initially served as a diplomat in various European countries. In 1845 he became Minister of the Foreign Office and from 1846 Grand Vizier. In 1853 he was again appointed Foreign Minister. The pistol description is impressive even in keywords: "Octagonal barrel with original bluing, eight-groove rifled bore in 12 mm calibre. Fine, decorative tendrils inlaid in gold and silver trailing over the entire length of the barrel. Inscribed 'Sarif. Muztapha. Pasha' in gold at the breech. Finely engraved tang with adjustable rear sight. The lock with folding nipple protector, tendrils delicately etched all over the surface. Signed 'Störmer Göttingen' in an oval cartouche. Adjustable set trigger. The full stock in walnut with a dark horn nose and finely chequered butt. Silver thumb plate with an Arabic inscription. Finely engraved brass furniture with tendrils and trophy decoration." Being obviously a unique piece, the refined item is certainly particularly sought after.
Not only collectors will take notice of lot number 2268. Up for bid is an extremely rare Volcanic lever action pocket pistol with a short barrel length of 3.5 inches (90 mm overall length). The eye-catching feature of this gun is the unusual combination of the bolt-action with a loading lever with a toggle link. This rare piece is in very good condition and can be purchased at auction starting at 6,400 euros. Chambered for the .31 Rocket Ball caliber cartridge, the Volcanic has a six-groove rifled octagon barrel with frosted bore and a tubular magazine underneath. However, the pistol must still be expertly refurbished by the purchaser.
Fine Antique and Modern Firearms, but that also means that quite younger specimens come under the proverbial hammer. The Medusa M47 is a modern revolver from the U.S. manufacturer Phillips & Rodgers, which was introduced in 1993 and built for only one year in a few hundred pieces. Even fewer of them found their way to Europe at that time. Anyone who buys it at auction (starting bid 6,000 euros) will make their firearms officer sweat: the patented revolver system shoots over 25 different cartridges in caliber 9 mm, indicated on the barrel are only the essential ones: 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum and .38 Special. The six-inch revolver has six chambers, which can also be filled "mixed". For this purpose, the cylinder has a specially shaped spring-loaded catch in each chamber, which will properly lock and also eject safely the cartridges.
Hermann Historica: Antique Arms and Armour from all over the world are the subject of the second autumn auction on October 11, 2023
At the second autumn auction at Hermann Historica on October 11, 2023, "only" 200 rarities of antique arms and armor from all over the world will be up for auction – but among them are such highlights on offer that even this short auction day is guaranteed to be a success at Hermann Historica and, of course, for all enthusiastic collectors.
From the famous vacation island of Bali comes a beautiful 19th or 20th century kris (lot number 1068). In general, great cultural and spiritual significance is attributed to the typical asymmetrical daggers from Southeast Asia; they have also been included by UNESCO on the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The specimen offered here is an epitome of mastery: the kris sparkles and flashes, the handle is gold plated and numerous semi-precious stones give the dagger great extravagance. From 12,500 euros you may gladly bid on this unusually magnificent and impressive Kris.
Among the edged weapons, lot 1164 also deserves special mention. Already the word "Viking" will make the bidder cards jump up. This sword from Northern Europe dates from the 9th century and with its inscription inlaid in iron and its finely inlaid strips of silver is truly a rarity, which is expected to change hands starting at 9,000 euros. Of course, the 204 lots in this fall auction also include German edged weapons, probably the largest or longest piece among them being a two-handed sword from Brunswick,Germany, circa 1600, with a length of 183 cm.
Links to the catalogs: the 2023 Fall Auctions at Hermann Historica featuring antique arms, firearms and armor:
No. 98aw Antique Arms and Armor from all over the world
(each web page with links to online and flip page catalog – catalog can also be ordered in print)
No. 98s Fine Antique and Modern Firearms
Auction location and preview:
HERMANN HISTORICA (website with directions)
Bretonischer Ring 3
85630 Grasbrunn / Munich
GERMANY
Phone: +49 (0) 89 - 54 72 64 9 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 89 - 54 72 64 9 - 999
Previews will take place on Monday, October 2, and from Wednesday to Saturday, October 4 to 7, 2023, at Herman Historica auction rooms at Bretonischer Ring 3 in 85630 Grasbrunn / Munich, from 11 am to 5 pm (CET) each day.
Please be sure to make an appointment to view firearms IN ADVANCE!
