Wheelgun Wednesday: Rock Island December 2025 Premier Auction Picks
Welcome back to another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday. This week, with the Rock Island December 2025 Premiere Firearms Auction coming next week, I wanted to look at some of the fantastic options that are heading to the auction block. I will be attending the Auction in Bedford, TX and wanted to look at some of the fantastic choices that are on the auction block in the coming weeks whether it's the classic engraved Colt Single Action Army or a newer Registered Magnum or something in between. Let's take a closer look at some of my Rock Island Auction picks.
Registered Magnums
If you are interested in a Registered Magnum revolver, this is a fantastic auction to keep an eye on with a number of Registered as well as Non Registered Magnums with everything from 3” factory models to the longer 6 ½” variants and everything in between. Whether it's a matching set of snub nose magnums or a Registered Magnum that a Virginia ABC inspector carried with an extra set of Stag grips, there are some truly fantastic examples in this auction that would be a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a flagship piece for their collection. One of the models that made an impression is a factory Nickel Registered Magnum that was engraved by Cole Agee.
Cole Agee was an incredibly well-known engraver during the early half of the 20th century. There are a few pieces engraved by Agee in this auction, which is a fantastic opportunity to own a piece of American history. I have an example in mind that I plan on bidding on, which brings me to my second point. There are a number of guns in this auction that are important parts of history and they will be picked up by serious collectors. Other auction items have more wear and are shooter grade rather than catching the eye of an investor-collector. I enjoy taking my firearms out to the range and shooting them, even if they are rare or valuable. Other people have true safe queens that don’t ever get a round fired through them. I always look for examples I can enjoy but also fire at the range without feeling like I'm damaging the gun or risking a piece of history. There are examples for both shooters as well as investment collectors.
Colt Single Action Army
Rock Island Auction has been known for some incredible, historically significant Single Action Army Revolvers and this auction is no exception. This auction has Colt Single Actions in all three generational variants, as well as engraved ones or even SAA models that were used by the Dalton Gang. One of the rarities in the gun market is a genuine Colt Single Action Army with a number of reproductions available, but if you're a true gun collector, you absolutely need a Colt Single Action Army in your collection. If you're an investor grade collector, the first generation has some of the most history behind them and these examples are what created the legendary story of the Single Action Army. The second generation is a great middle ground if you want to shoot your SAA but have something that's collector grade as well.
Second generation also have the ability to take modern smokeless powder if they are in good working condition as well, which helps make them easier to use compared to the black powder variants that can’t accept modern smokeless powder rounds. The most interesting models to me personally are the third generation, which have modern metallurgy that begs to be fired. I will personally be going for an engraved third generation, but there are a number of grades to the engraving, from A-D, with D being fully covered. There are a number of exquisite options for shooters as well as serious collectors with a few case-hardened options and a number of variations in barrel size. If you have been wanting a Single Action Army, now is the time to grab one of the fantastic examples on the auction block.
Triple Lock
One of the guns has really caught my eye for its historical significance as well as being a part of the Frank Brownells Collection. This particular Triple Lock was manufactured in 1915 and fully engraved again by Cole Agee towards the end of World War II. The Triple Lock was a key revolver with Elmer Keith for the development of the 44 Magnum cartridge, as well as being extremely strong due to its three separate locking mechanisms, which I spoke about a couple of weeks ago while talking about what guns to collect in a previous Wheelgun Wednesday.
These guns are known for their craftsmanship and this example is even more special, being fully engraved by Cole Agee and then being owned by Frank Brownell. Any of the early Smith & Wesson revolvers like this are typically fantastic examples of the level of quality they had at the time, with hand-fitted parts and they were truly fantastic pieces to own, so if you're in the market, I would certainly look at some of these options!
Overall Thoughts
I know there will be some that aren't interested in higher-end pieces like these, but for those of you who truly love collecting and picking up interesting guns, the Rock Island Auctions are hard to beat in terms of quality and rare pieces to buy. You can find the catalock of Rock Island December 2025 Premier Firearms Auction here.
Do you guys think these auctions are great ways to find rare pieces or do you prefer searching yourself? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below. If you have questions about revolvers or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday.
Images courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company, www.rockislandauction.com
I'm an avid shooter and love educating whether it's at my job or in the shooting community. I'm an average joe that really loves talking with other people about firearms and other passions.I'm active on Instagram on @fridgeoperator.
More by Matt E
Comments
Join the conversation