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May 14, 2025
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Hi Guys,
Here is a list of Auction Houses I’m aware of and would appreciate you guys adding to it. I think it would be a nice resource to have on the site.
Major Auction Houses (Typically has the rarest of rare)
1. Rock Island
2. Poulin
3. Morphy
4. Richmond
Minor Auction Houses (Offers great items and occasionally you can find a gem)
1. Amoskeag
2. Krammer
3. LSB
4. Gunrunner
5. Gun auction USA
6. Gun Slinger – just sold the Marissa Wayne collection! Marissa Wayne is John Wayne’s youngest daughter and she auctioned off Colts and Winchesters that were 1 of 7’s made exclusively for John Wayne’s children after his passing. Not Rock Island big money but one of the Colts went for 30k I think.
Auction Aggregators ( There are 100’s of small Auction Houses in the U.S. and Canada who don’t have their own platforms but use an Aggregators software and platform to sell online. The upside is each of these sites allows you to search and bid on 100’s of auctions. The downside is they typically add 3% to the purchase price for that convenience) it is important to note on these platforms to never use the max bid feature. The aggregators share your bid with these small houses and in my experience many have phantom bidders who swoop in and will bid you up to your max every time. You can watch that same screen name bid on multiple unrelated items and never win anything. This is possible to see on some platforms like Hibid that show bidder names but not others like Proxibid that just show the # of bids.
1. Proxibid
2. HiBid
3. icollector
4. Live Auctioneers
5. Auction Zip
6. Invaluable Auctions
Guys, help me fill in the blanks of what I’m missing. Thanks, Buck
November 5, 2014
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Hi Buck-
One I would add (to your “minor” list) is Redding’s Auction in Gettysburg PA.
They have gun auctions a couple times a month and sometimes great stuff turns up. Plus they have a “zero” buyer’s premium if you bid in person, via phone or absentee. Not all their auctions run live on Proxybid, etc. so it can pay to check them out once a month or so. Here’s a gun I got (phone bidding) from Redding’s last Spring. A Model 70 1st variation Target rifle (quite rare), nice condition, original and intact.
Also remember that Ward’s auction sells old Winchesters.
https://www.wardscollectibles.com/auctions/
Good Luck,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
June 4, 2017
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Reata Pass Auctions, Prescott, AZ./ “Little John”
Heritage Auctions
T/R
November 19, 2006
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Carol Watson’s Orange Coast Auctions
February 17, 2022
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I would add this. After the last ward’s auction debacle I will be very, very hesitant to bid there again. I was less than impressed. Sorry if any one is offended by my remarks.
December 9, 2002
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You’re not offending me, as I think you’re spot on, and when you try to call and tell them about it, they don’t listen and, interrupt you’re conversation, as the younger generation, has taken over this auction house, and they only care about the $$$$$$$! IMHO!
You can plainly see that the site has changed and not for the better! IMO! I know that we have to adapt and change with the times, but a lot of people weren’t happy, and very frustrated with the last auction! 
Tony
September 19, 2014
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Tony and others, I don’t think the emphasis changed in regards to dollars. I do think the young may have “pride of authorship” getting in the way. Years ago the program for NRA Instructors was put in place and was not working for us instructors. Got a young man whose response to criticism of the program was “any idiot can work through this program!” My only hope is he was soon shown the outside of the door! Pride of authorship on full display. Obvious to the author, not the intended user. Wards was totally not user friendly and in time it will show up in reduced sales prices. My opinion only. Tim
September 22, 2011
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oldcrankyyankee said
I would add this. After the last ward’s auction debacle I will be very, very hesitant to bid there again. I was less than impressed. Sorry if any one is offended by my remarks.
Hint: If you are a seller, best not to consign with Ward’s.
If you are a buyer, you very well might find a bargain in the next auction.
December 9, 2002
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Anthony said
You’re not offending me, as I think you’re spot on, and when you try to call and tell them about it, they don’t listen and, interrupt you’re conversation, as the younger generation, has taken over this auction house, and they only care about the $$$$$$$! IMHO!
You can plainly see that the site has changed and not for the better! IMO! I know that we have to adapt and change with the times, but a lot of people weren’t happy, and very frustrated with the last auction!
Tony
tim tomlinson said
Tony and others, I don’t think the emphasis changed in regards to dollars. I do think the young may have “pride of authorship” getting in the way. Years ago the program for NRA Instructors was put in place and was not working for us instructors. Got a young man whose response to criticism of the program was “any idiot can work through this program!” My only hope is he was soon shown the outside of the door! Pride of authorship on full display. Obvious to the author, not the intended user. Wards was totally not user friendly and in time it will show up in reduced sales prices. My opinion only. Tim
Tim,
I understand you’re point, and was thinking about what I posted, later when company came in. I didn’t make it back to better clarify, my point. In regards to the money signs that I posted, and my reference to the newer regime at Ward’s not caring, I really feel like many other Auction houses and other places we deal with today, we become a number, as in, NEXT!!!
On another note, my friend, capitalized on the last Auction snafu, and called and got logged in and grabbed a bunch of stuff, a little cheaper than he had anticipated, as he does his research ahead of time, and makes notes on his capped bid price he wants to place, and he said he spent several thousand dollars this last Auction, and over looked the issues, that many of us have found to be uncomfortable.
Certainly, “Different Strokes”!
Tony
April 30, 2023
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mrcvs said
If you are a buyer, you very well might find a bargain in the next auction.
What’s that you say? I’ll be hiding over here in the bushes with my paddle…I think you may be right! 
November 7, 2015
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Sounds to me like a good situation for someone who will take the time to learn how to game the system. Good luck, game on!
Mike
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