ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Active bidding from the United States and more than 20 other countries enabled Rock Island Auction to make $12.5 million is sales during its three-day firearms sale, April 19-21, at its gallery in Rock Island.

With Internet, phone and absentee bidding allowing the sale to go global, collectors from such distant locales as Australia, Brazil, Sweden and Norway became successful bidders. A new company record was set when nearly 15,000 bids were cast for about 2,700 lots. Successful bidders totaled 930.

The star of the show was a U.S. Colt Walker Model 1847 revolver. When bidding reached the $100,000 mark, all raised hands in the room disappeared. The action then shifted to the phones, where a pair of collectors battled it out until one prevailed at $138,000.

Two other historic Colts, 2nd Model dragoons, sold as one lot, brought $115,000. A Colt Paterson No. 3 Belt Model sold well above estimate at $54,000.

The late William Ashby collected suits of armor. His 20 shining outfits and 300 related pieces attracted bidders from around the world and earned $1.03 million. The top two suits brought $34,500 and $28,750. His 17th century pearl and bone inlaid wheelock sporting gun far surpassed its $8,500 high

estimate when it sold for $34,500.

More than 400 Winchesters were offered, including a rare Model 1887 shotgun with a 20-inch barrel. Estimated at $25,000 to $37,500, it reached $54,625.

A Model 70 Winchester carbine in the rare 7.92 caliber brought $31,625 exceeding its $22,500 high estimate.

Other random Winchesters sold were: Model 1894, made in 1898, .38-55 caliber, $1,840; Model 1895 carbine, .30-06, $2,185; Model 1886, .40-82, $3,162; Model 94, WWII era, .25-35, $2,300; antique Model 1894, .38-55, with 28-inch barrel, $4,025; and Model 1876, .40-60, with 28-inch barrel, $2,876.

The Model P38 semi-automatic 9mm pistol replaced the iconic Luger in 1938 as the official German military sidearm. Rock Island sold the Chuck Lindley collection of German weapons that included more than 200 .38s. Despite their abundance none fell through the cracks. Examples: ac/43 with matching holster, holster, $4,025; ac/42, $1,092; ac/43, $1,495; ac/44, $862; ac/45, $1,150; a/c 40, $2,070; ac/41, $4,887; byf/42, $2,300; byf/43 with holster, $1,725; svw/45, $690; and a byf/44 police model with holster, $7,475.

In the advanced collector category, a P38 prototype by Walther reached $37,375. A rare crate of 30 mixed P38s shipped to California after the war sold for $25,875. A pre-war commercial HP model in 7.65 caliber sold within estimates for $17,250. An early war Walther “no date code” model sold for $9,775.

Of dozens of Smith & Wesson handguns available, an engraved first model with pearl grips more than doubled its high estimate at $10,925. An engraved pre-Model 27 in .357 with engraving and pearl grips also sold above estimate at $10,350. An empty gutta percha case for a first model revolver brought a surprising $4,312.

A New Model No. 3 revolver made $2,875. A Model 2 Army revolver was within estimates at $1,725.

Random modern guns selling were: Steyr Mannlicher Model 1910 rifle, $1,840; Remington Model 700 .458 magnum, $1,265; Weatherby Mark V attributed WWII Gen. Robert Scott, $1,840; Winchester Model 21 shotgun, factory engraved, $12,600; a pair of Winchester Model 12 16 gauge shotguns, $1,725; Belgian Browning pigeon grade four-barrel set shotgun with case, $8,050; J.P. Saur & Son drilling with Zeiss scope, $4,600; H&K SL8-1, $3,450; Springfield D-Day commemorative M1 rifle in crate, $2,587: Colt AR-15 sporter, $1,610; and a Springfield M1A, $2,875.

The always-popular Model 1911 pistols did very well. Among those selling were: U.S. Navy marked example made in 1912 with holster, $51,750; restored Navy model made in 1913, $5,462; restored Army model made in 1916, $2,070; restored U.S. Marine Corps model made in 1916, $4,887; Army model 1911A1 made by Ithaca in 1943, $2,300; U.S. Navy model made in 1914, $8,825.

These Colt revolvers sold: refinished single action shipped to Oklahoma in 1903 and inscribed to James J. Wheat, $4,312; restored single action made in 1927, $1,995; holster and belt only, $690; Banker’s Special .38, made in 1941, $2,070; pre-war Fitzgerald Detective Special, $2,875; Positive/Pocket model made in 1939, with box, $1,265; 2nd generation single action made in 1957, $3,162; and a pair of Python models made in 1989 as Washington State centennial commemoratives, $12,650.

The company’s next auction is June 28-30.

Visit www.rockislandauction.com for more information.