Guns.com Launches The Vault, A Premier Auction Experience

For those who are collectors of premium quality firearms, Guns.com is launching a new section. It is called The Vault. It was through Guns.com that I purchased my Winchester Model 12 shotgun.

The beginning date is August 3.

Here is the beginning of their announcement:

[Burnsville, MN] — Guns.com today announced the upcoming launch of The Vault within its innovative Guns.com Auctions platform. As a premium auction category, The Vault will showcase rare, historic, and highly collectible firearms, with its first auction debuting on August 3. 

Designed for collectors and enthusiasts, The Vault showcases a unique mix of firearms with historical significance, remarkable craftsmanship, and investment-grade collectability. Every firearm is carefully curated by Guns.com's team of experts and trusted nationwide dealer network, bringing gun owners access to firearms rarely offered through traditional online marketplaces. 

"We’re excited to elevate the Guns.com auction experience for gun owners and collectors,” says Cregg Burns, Senior Ecommerce Manager at Guns.com. “Our goal is to deliver the best online shopping experience for millions of gun owners, and The Vault does just that by showcasing beautiful firearms and the stories they tell.” 

To read more, go here. 

World Record Winchester 1894!

 WORLD RECORD Winchester 1894! video by Rock Island Auction Company.

Summary:

It is now the highest amount achieved for one of America's most popular and produced rifles! 

This John Ulrich masterpiece Model 1894 includes the Master Engraver's No. 2 factory pattern engraving and gold inlay, along with a bevy of deluxe special order features.

 Auction took place in December 2025.

WORLD RECORD Winchester 1894!

Here's a record-breaking auction of a Winchester 1894 rifle. 

Anybody have spare cash if it comes up for auction again?

WORLD RECORD Winchester 1894! video by Rock Island Auction Company. 

Summary: 

It is now the highest amount achieved for one of America's most popular and produced rifles! 

This John Ulrich masterpiece Model 1894 includes the Master Engraver's No. 2 factory pattern engraving and gold inlay, along with a bevy of deluxe special order features.

JFK Assassination Testimony Rifle Comes to Auction

Above, a rifle like this one at the 6th Floor Museum in Dallas is up for auction. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something interesting that is coming up at auction for gun collectors.

It is an exact recreation of Lee Harvey Oswald's Mannlicher-Carcano rifle used to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. It was used during the House Select Committee on Assassinations back in 1978. It was also used in a movie on the assassination.

PR Newswire reported: 

BEDFORD, Texas, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- An exact recreation of the JFK assassination rifle, owned and utilized by ballistics expert Monty Lutz during his testimony for the House Select Committee on Assassinations, will come to auction this May. The rifle also starred in the 1986 movie "On Trial: Lee Harvey Oswald," where Lutz played himself. Lutz's Carcano rifle will be offered during the first day of Rock Island Auction Company's May 2-4 Premier Auction.

The rifle is an identical configuration to the "Mannlicher-Carcano" rifle long recognized as the weapon used by Lee Harvey Oswald to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. Lutz's rifle was even ordered from the same retailer Oswald used and mounted with an identical scope. Such duplication was critical when this rifle was utilized during the 1978 investigation by the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), where Lutz cited testing the rifle at various distances. The exact replication of the assassination weapon was a quintessential component in the investigation as the nation continued to search for answers in the tragedy's aftermath.

Lee Harvey Oswald's rifle is currently housed at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland.

To read more, go here. 

Winchester 1894 Auctioned Over $2,600

 

Above, three Winchester 1894s on display at the Billy the Kid
Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A Winchester Model 1894 rifle was sold recently at auction over $2,600.

An article at Antiques and The Arts Weekly reported:

TIMONIUM, MD. — At Richard Opfer Auctioneering’s July 18 Eclectic Collector at The Forge auction, a Winchester 1894 rifle was the sale’s top lot, taking in $2,640 from a local, private gun enthusiast. The popular lever-action model was considered perfect for hunting in thick brush for deer, bear, wild hogs and other fast-moving game. A takedown Winchester Center Fire 30-30, this rifle came with a Lyman adjustable sight. It was a total of 44 inches in length with a 22-inch barrel.

A photo of the rifle shows that it was in excellent condition. Unfortunately, it did not mention the rifle's year of manufacture. That makes a lot of difference. 

Winchester 1894 rifles made before 1964, in general, command higher prices as their components are of higher quality. I have one made in 1962.

To read more and to see the photo, go here. 

Guns.com Is Legit?

A little while ago, I noticed several websites and forums of people asking if Guns.com is legitimate or not.

It so happened that I bought my Winchester Model 12 shotgun through them last month. Earlier that day, I bid on one over at GunBroker.com. I was the top bidder for most of that day, but eventually others started bidding on it about a couple of hours before the bidding closed. I decided to set a limit on how much I would bid. It eventually went to someone else for $445, way more than I was willing to pay.

Right after that, I then went over to Guns.com and spotted one for $100 less than the one at GunBroker. So I bought it. The price they posted for the shotgun is what I paid. There was no bidding involved.

I had them ship it to Loeffler's Guns in Grants, New Mexico for the FFL transfer. 

This is what they describe on how they operate:

Simply enter in your credit card information and check out. We even offer financing options to help you buy now and pay later! Once you've made your purchase, Guns.com handles everything. We coordinate the transfer, paperwork and shipping to ensure your gun is safely delivered to your FFL on your behalf.

The transfer went smoothly. My only gripe was that they took longer than I expected for them to ship the shotgun to Loeffler's. It was probably due to the sale taking place during the weekend. Other than that, I have no other complaints. I found their prices to be lower than at GunBroker, where one is at the mercy of other (particularly last-minute) bidders. 

Would I use them again? Yes, if they have a handgun or rifle I am particularly interested in and if the price is right. 

So, to answer the main question: yes, they are legit!

John Wayne and Norman Rockwell

In 1973, John Wayne sat for artist Norman Rockwell in his Stockbridge, Massachusetts studio for a painting commissioned by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

The painting later was auctioned in 2018 and the top bidder, a collector, successfully bid $1,496,000 at the Jackson Hole Art Auction.

Here is Wayne with Norman Rockwell as well as the finished painting:

Norman Rockwell passed away in 1978 and Wayne died a year later.

Sealed Bag of Franklin Half Dollars May Be Worth $100,000

Above, Franklin silver half dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally, from different articles I have read, Franklin silver half dollars aren't that popular within the numismatic world for varying reasons.

But a sealed canvas bag of 2,000 Franklin silver half dollars set to go up for auction is a big exception. The bag of coins may fetch $100,000 at auction according to Numismatic News.

They wrote:

A canvas bag containing 2,000 silver half dollars struck in 1963 at the Denver Mint and sewn shut there 60 years ago will bring a pretty penny for an elderly northeast Oklahoma woman who received the coins as a gift from her father a half-century ago.

“This original, mint-sealed bag contains $1,000 face value of 50-cent denomination coins, but each 1963 half dollar depicting Benjamin Franklin contains about $9 worth of silver. Also, mint condition 1963 Denver Mint half dollars usually sell today for about $50 each, so I would not be surprised if this bag sold for $100,000 or more,” stated Rick Tomaska, co-founder of Rare Collectibles TV of Los Angeles, Calif.

To read more, go here. 

Autograph Hangings

At long last, I've finally had a lobby card from The Enforcer (1976) with an autographed ticket signed by Clint Eastwood framed and matted.

Above, the Clint Eastwood lobby card and autographed ticket. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've had the ticket to the 1980 Election Night Victory Party of Reagan-Bush since that night. As a chairman of my congressional district Reagan-Bush campaign, I was admitted to a private party at the Century Plaza Hotel. There, actor Clint Eastwood, with then-girlfriend Sondra Locke in tow, mingled with the guests and I had him sign my ticket.

I bought the lobby card in the late-1990s at a comic book shop in Woodland Hills.

Now, they are both matted and framed together and hanging in my den.

Above, the George Lazenby and Roy Rogers/Dale
Evans autographed photos. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While I was having the Eastwood items framed and matted, I also had framed the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans autographed (by both) photo I recently bought in an auction and the George Lazenby autographed photo I got though his website. Both are also now hanging in my den.

When I find a suitable photo of Red Skelton, I will have it and an autographed card by him framed and matted like the Eastwood one.

Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Autographed Photo Arrived

The 8 x 10" autographed photo (above) by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans that I won in an auction has arrived in the mail.

The still is a publicity photo for The Golden Stallion (1949). 

The story:

Ed Hart (Dale Van Sickel) and his band of outlaws are using a wild stallion to smuggle diamonds over the border. But this fact has escaped the knowledge of Stormy Billings (Dale Evans), a young rancher who is taken with the horse and wants to tame him. Stormy enlists the help of a handsome cowboy named Roy (Roy Rogers) and his faithful horse, Trigger, to capture the stallion, but his efforts quickly put him into conflict with Ed and the rest of his gang.

I got the photo for a good price (under $25). 

Now I have to have it and the autographed photo of George Lazenby framed. 

Dale Van Sickel, ex-football player and actor/stuntman, played the heavy in this movie. He is known as the Superman stuntman who ducked a thrown gun in the Adventures of Superman 1951 episode, "The Mind Machine". 

Auction Win Today

For the first time in a long time I participated in an online auction.

The item I bid on and won was an 8 x 10" black & white photograph signed by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. It was a publicity photo from the movie, The Golden Stallion (1949). 

I could have obtained both Roy's and Dale's autographs in person back around 1988 when they were seated next to our table at breakfast at the Woodland Hills (California) Marriott Hotel. But I figured it would be polite to not bother them while they were dining. Getting their autographs on a photograph while they were in their prime makes up for that.

Here's the photo:

Once framed, I plan to hang it in my den/guest room.

Elvis Presley's "Sun Sessions" Guitar Up For Auction

Above, the recording studio where the "Sun Sessions" made rock 'n roll history. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Got a few million bucks to spend?

Well, if you do, you may want to bid on Elvis Presley's guitar he used during his recording sessions at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

According to the The Commercial Appeal:

One of the most significant instruments in the history of rock and roll — or in the history of recorded music, for that matter — could be yours, if you're a millionaire. 

The instrument is the so-called "Sun Sessions" guitar, the 1942 Martin D-18 acoustic guitar that Elvis Presley owned between 1954 and 1956. 

The starting bid is $1.2 million, and auction house Gotta Have Rock and Roll estimates the guitar will sell for $2 million-$3 million. In the mid-1950s, a new guitar of this type would have cost about $140. 

"Elvis used this actual guitar extensively while recording at the iconic Sun Studios in Memphis, TN and while performing on stage during this period," according to the description of the guitar at GottaHaveRockandRoll.com.

To read more, go here. 

Gen. Patton's Command Car Up For Auction

Above, Patton's Dodge WC-97 Command Car.

Here's a major rarity for World War II history buffs and fans of Gen. George S. Patton.

An auction will be held in June and his Dodge WC-97 Command Car is up for sale.

According to DRIVETRIBE:

For me, there's an inherent sense of awesomeness when it comes to old military vehicles. These are machines that have seen things. Many things. These are machines designed for going into some of the most hostile environments that people will ever endure. These are machines designed to show strength, power and (perhaps most importantly of all) utilitarian ruggedness. This Dodge WC-57 Command Car definitely falls into all of that criteria and then some. As well as being a little piece of World War II history just on its own, it's also got an incredible backstory because of who it was used by. This particular car was the personal vehicle of General Patton. 

These Dodge Command Cars were manufactured between 1942 and 1945, this particular one being modified in the UK in 1944 to the legendary general's specifications. It was given armour plating at the front and rear and was outfitted with metal flags, horns and sirens so you would definitely know who was coming when the general himself showed up. The car was also fitted with a .50 calibre Browning machine gun to return fire on any enemy aircraft that might have spotted it and a rail was installed behind the front seats for Patton to hold on to when he was standing up to address his troops. Clearly, you definitely wouldn't want to mess with a general with this kind of staff car!

I hope the General Patton Museum at Chiriaco Summit, California bids on it and wins for all to see! I have contacted them with the auction information, just in case they weren't aware of it (you never know).

To read more (and see a video), go here. 

Weather and Crownpoint Navajo Rug Auction

Above, Navajo rugs on display at this year's Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like we're going to have seasonal weather going into the Veterans Day weekend.

It will be sunny for the most part with temperatures into the upper 50s and the lower 60s.

From the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 27. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Veterans Day

Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

I am toying with the idea about going to Crownpoint tonight to attend the Navajo Rug Auction for the fun of it. Crownpoint is about 42 miles from Jamestown.

According to the auction's website:

The Rug Auction of Crownpoint is a community-based event that serves as the intermediary between Diné weavers and connoisseurs of Navajo art and culture. 

The Rug Auction of Crownpoint is organized and administered by the Navajo Weavers Association of Crownpoint – a community-based organization made up of weavers, community-members and volunteers. 

The Rug Auction of Crownpoint has been the staple of the Crownpoint community since 1964, serving as a hub for social and economic activity. The Rug Auction is unique in that it pairs local Diné weavers with tourists from across the world around over the beauty of Navajo art and culture. 

The Rug Auction is held on the SECOND FRIDAY of every month starting at 4:00 pm in which weavers submit their rugs and local artisans and vendor set up their arts and crafts tables. During this time, rugs are put on display until 6:30 pm, where visitors are able to handle and view the rugs that will be up for auction. The auction then begins promptly at 7:00 pm in which individuals may begin bidding on their favorite rugs.

I have been near Crownpoint, New Mexico, but have never actually been there.

To read more, go here.

John Wayne Photo Print Auctioned

A rare photographic print of John Wayne sold at auction a couple days ago.

Here's the print:

The description from Swann Auction Galleries:

Sale 2520 Lot 284 

(JOHN R. HAMILTON) (1923-1997)John Wayne in a scene from the film The Sons of Katie Elder. Chromogenic print, the image measuring 24x36 inches (61x91.4 cm.), the sheet 30x41 inches (76.2x104.14 cm.), with the John R. Hamilton Archives hand stamp with the the print date, edition notation 1/1, the notation Exhibition Print, and the Archives Executive Director Amy Shepherd's signature, in ink, the exhibition notation, also in ink, and the Archives copyright hand stamp, on verso. 1965; printed 2016 

Estimate $2,500 - 3,500 

Exhibited in Hollywood and the American West, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2017. 

Price Realized (with Buyer's Premium) $2,500

If Only I Had A Spare Half A Million Dollars

Above, Norman Rockwell's portrait of John Wayne. 

Two favorites of mine came together in 1973. It was for a portrait sitting. The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum commissioned a painting of John Wayne by Norman Rockwell.

The painting by the legendary American artist Norman Rockwell is coming up for auction. It is estimated to fetch anywhere between $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.

According to the Jackson Hole News & Guide:

The Jackson Hole Art Auction announced that an iconic Norman Rockwell painting of John Wayne will headline the auction’s addendum. 

“They’re two American icons and legends,” auction coordinator Madison Webb said. “What Norman Rockwell did for Americana and illustration, Wayne did for the American West in film. To see two titans of industry come together is really amazing, and both left an indelible mark on the American landscape and culture.” 

The painting, a 38- by 31-inch oil on canvas, is estimated to worth between $1 and $1.5 million dollars. Fresh to the auction market, the painting was brought to the auction from a private collection. 

The auction, a signature event of September’s Fall Art Festival put on by Trailside Galleries and Gerald Peters Gallery, will take place Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. The year will feature the auction’s largest sale.

Above, John Wayne and Norman Rockwell during the time of the portrait sitting.

 Ah, if only I had a spare half million dollars to spare.

To read more, go here.

Last Chance To See Tsukiji Fish Market's Tuna Auction

Above, the main entrance to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is moving soon and the days where visitors can witness the tuna auctions in the wee hours of the morning are dwindling.

So this is your last chance to attend the tuna auction in the historic market.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on what you should know before going.

They start with:

The Tsukiji Fish Market appears in literally every guidebook about Tokyo and on most people’s tour itineraries—and cheapos appreciate that it has free entrance. It isn’t just the largest wholesale fish market in Tokyo and Japan, it’s numero uno for the entire planet. It also has a super-famous Tuna Auction before the sun rises most mornings. Not for much longer, though! Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a visit.

To read more, go here. 

Elvis Presley Memorabilia Up For Auction

Above, a rocking chair that once sat here in the Jungle Room at
Graceland is one of the items to be auctioned. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have some extra cash to spend, an auction of Elvis Presley memorabilia is headed to the auction block.

The New York Daily News reported:

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Items associated with Elvis Presley are on the auction block, including the rocker's rocking chair from the Jungle Room at Graceland. 

Graceland said in a news release the wood and maroon vinyl rocking chair is estimated to bring $10,000 to $15,000, with a minimum bid of $5,000. Bids can be entered on the auction's website .

The auction will be held January 6 at the theater of  the Guest House At Graceland. The items are from private collectors.

To read more, go here.

To access the auction page, go to the Graceland auction web page here.

George Reeves Superman Costume To Be Auctioned

In two days, a costume worn by George Reeves in the Adventures of Superman will be auctioned at Bonhams.

It is similar to this one (now on display at the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois):

Above, a George Reeves Superman costume at the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more on the auction, go here.

Superman Mural Up For Auction

Above, the Superman mural last November. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The giant Superman mural mounted on the outside of the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois is up for auction at eBay. It will be auctioned in three sections. The first section to be auctioned is the panel featuring Dean Cain and George Reeves.

According to Morgan Siebert on Facebook:

Our old mural is up on ebay, we started each panel at $1. We are using whatever funds we raise from these auctions to help cover museum renovation from the storm damage from March. There are 3 panels so 3 chances to own a part of Super Museum history. Happy bidding!! This one features Dean Cain and George Reeves.

Above, the mural (left) on the Super Museum wall facing the Superman Statue across the square. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The mural's eBay page reads:

Up for Auction!

Once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of the Super Museum in Metropolis IL!

This Mural was used on the side of the Super Museum in Metropolis for 10 years!

Countless numbers of people have had their photo taken with this sign!

Chances are you know someone who has a picture of this sign!

We are selling this sign because it has begun to show signs of age and heavy wear, there is some damage on the corners of these panels from removal.

and to help pay for the replacement which we have already bought and hung up in its place.

These signs will be ending on June 7th 2017

The afternoon before the start of annual "Superman Celebration"

It is made out of 3 Panels of Alucobond that is 1/2" Thick 

This first panel is110.4"x60" 

This panel Features Dean Cain and George Reeves! 

The top of the panel has the word STOP

The bottom part of the panel says 

"Rican Hero"

This was the end panel on the right

Panel #3 of #3

We are starting this panel at $1 and just see where it goes!

There is no shipping on these panels.

They are local-pickup only

To bid, go here (4 days left).