Search the Auction Exchange for auctions, news, and more!
Recent Stories
Hand-held mirrors have reflected fashion for centuries
Toy outboard motor revved to $110 at Durocher
Winnie the Pooh has been telling stories for a century
Contents of early country stores live on in today’s décor
Barn find ‘57 Harley unearthed with a $16,000 bid
Capodimonte: 300 years of excellence
Norwalk Tires sign rolled off with a $79,000 bid at Matthews Sign Auction
It was all fun and games for bidders at RJM auction
Collectors are in love with the detail of Brooklin Models
The groovy ’70s live on with ‘The Brady Bunch’
News Article  
Hammered down at Hammertime Auctions
By John W. Brodt

HOWELL, Mich. – Since retiring, after 27 years at General Motors, Auctioneer Jerry Gowan turned his hobby into a new career.

“It’s like Christmas every single day,” Gowan says, describing his new career as owner/auctioneer of Hammertime Auctions, which he opened in early 2010.

Although it’s spring in Howell, Gowan jumped to the head of the auction ring with that holiday-like twinkle in his eye, and began his steam-rolling chant.

Beginning – as he is accustomed – with coins and currency, it wasn’t long until the bidders caught some of his infectious “holiday cheer.”

This evening auction features several firearms – including some rare finds – that held the interest of many well-prepared bidders.

But, first the coins: opening up with a proof set from the Virgin Islands that brought $13.50. A pair of Walking Liberty half-dollars, which were dated 1942 and 1943, was bought by the same bidder at $12 each. Paper currency was present and there were three Red Seal five dollar bills which were sold at $30 for the group.

And onto, the guns: a Stevens Model 240, with an over/under .410-gauge double barrel and a unique side-by-side double exposed double hammer on the boxlock receiver, started the sporting guns off with a bang – bringing $500.

Only about 20,500 Model 240s were made between 1939 and 1942. Coming with 26-inch barrels with a full choke, the $500 bid-winning shotgun included a tenite stock and forearm. Tenite had a habit of cracking and braking making intact sets far and few between – certainly increasing the rarity and price.

A Winchester Model 1897, a 1914 pump-action shotgun with an external hammer and tube magazine, sold at $300.

The Winchester Model 1894 is considered the ultimate lever-action design by many firearm experts and collectors. It was the first commercial rifle that sold more than 7 million units. Historical examples include serial number “1 million” being given to President Calvin Coolidge in 1927; serial number 1,500,000 presented to President Harry S Truman in 1948; and serial number 2,000,000 given to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Tonight we saw a version chambered in .32WS-caliber manufactured in 1942 cross the auction block, at $725.

Another vintage shotgun was the Sears, Roebuck & Co., being their J.C. Higgins Model 583.17 bolt-action in 12-guage. It actually had been manufactured by the High Standard Company for Sears between 1946 and 1958. While the bluing on the bolt, barrel and receiver had worn away the wood was in very good condition showing wear but no major scrapes or scars. Gowan hammered this down for $135.

Of more recent manufacture was an Armscorp 22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, made in the Philippines, selling at $150. A New England Firearms single shot rifle, in 223-caliber, included a mounted scope with the $250 winning bid.

Mossberg firearms were well represented by two examples pump action shotguns. A 12 gauge Model 500 shotgun decked out in camouflage and the second being chambered in .410-caliber each sold for $275.

Black powder enthusiasts were not left out as they had the choice of a White Mountain 50-caliber black powder percussion rifle, like the Mountain men carried, selling for $150, and the Thompson Center black powder rifle selling for $140.

Firearm accessories included five rifle magazines for $50; and a Mossberg Model 500 barrel with ventilated rib and a muzzle to accept screw in chokes for $30. Holsters were selling from $10 while shooting range ear muffs were $5 each. Several hunting knives sold at $17.50, while pocket knives went for $5.

Pistol ammunition is a much sought after commodity of late and example sold included three full boxes, plus some additional shells, of .22-caliber short bullets, as a group at $45. The box of .357 Magnum Blazer bullets scored at $17.50 with the box of 9mm Luger shells selling higher at $27.50. Rifle ammunition prices included two boxes of .30-carbine welling for $35 and a single box of 20 rounds of .300 Winchester Magnum bringing $12.50. A box of .410 shotgun shells was announced sold for $22.50.

For $150 the winning bidder took home a Benjamin Sheridan pellet rifle, Model 397P, made in East Bloomfield, N.Y. Several BB rifles, including a Wards Hawthorne, a Crosman Arms with wood stock and a Crosman Model 140 sold from $20 to $27.50 apiece.

Additional sporting equipment crossing the auction block was a bamboo fly fishing rod with canvas case at $20 and a group of four vintage traps bringing $64 total for the group.

Those interested in glassware bid on articles like the Carnival glass starting at $17.50 for iridescent purple color and $15 for a small footed bowl. A turn-of-the 20th-century cut glass covered compote bowl went to the high bidder at $25 while a single bud vase in blue and pink was $8. A Victorian Lord and Lady porcelain figurine will grace a new home for $5 while it required the winning bid of $22.50 to claim the cream color pedestal Red Wing vase featuring green leaf like handles. All would look great displayed in the Mastercraft corner cabinet selling at $110.

Hammertime Auctions is located at 5634 East Highland Road, which is also known as M-59, just north of Howell, Michigan. Auctioneer Jerry Gowan may be contacted at (517) 404-6992 for additional information about his services. And, as always, watch for his future auctions in The Auction Exchange & Collectors News.

6/21/2013