A pair of rare and well-preserved Colt Gatling guns provided the top lots in two sales from Heritage Auctions this weekend, leading the June 8 Civil War & Militaria auction and the June 9 Arms & Armour sale.
 Impressive: Yeck's 1883 Colt Gatling gun |
A US Model 1883 Colt Gatling gun received the top bid. Accompanied by a rare limber and a full complement of accessories, it sold for $229,050 at the Arms & Armour auction.
In very good to fine condition, the impressive gun was consigned from the estate of celebrated civil war re-enactor and arms aficionado Michael Yeck, who died last year.
Yeck's grandson, Matthew Hand, said that his grandfather's passion for antique arms came after his doctor told him to get a hobby to help him unwind.
"He kinda went all out," Hand explained, "and decided to start his own firearms business, which kept growing and growing."
Hand has had the honour of firing the Gatling gun, commenting, "you can feel every round… you can feel the pressure on your face."
 This 1875 Gatling gun was delivered to the US Navy in 1881 |
Topping the Civil War auction was a very rare US Model 1875 Colt Gatling gun on its original naval boarding carriage. It was delivered to the US Navy on February 24, 1881 and was also consigned from Yeck's collection.
Selling for $179,250, the gun has been partially restored, which lowers its value, yet it remains highly desirable to collectors for its completeness.
All of the original parts are marked with the assembly number 30, as are the steel boarding carriage and ammunition boxes.
Selling for $23,900 were the tattered remains of a flag that was carried at Appomattox, the final battle of the US civil war.
Serving as the guidon of a company of the 5th US Cavalry, which provided the HQ escort to General Grant, the flag was described as "one of the most historic civil war US flags we have ever catalogued" by Heritage.
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