We’ve all been there. You have your eye on a new gun but keep holding off. Finally, you go into a gun store hoping to find it but now the gun store doesn’t carry it anymore. You can always keep hoping to come across it and continue to shop around, but have you ever thought about searching an Auction house?
Recently, I came across an ad for an Auction House opening up in my town, Reata Pass Auctions of Prescott, Arizona. Having never been to an auction I dropped in to see what it was all about. My first impression was with the helpful staff who welcomed me and explained the auction process. They were very friendly and immediately put me at ease. I signed up on the spot for the upcoming auction!
In 1990 I traded a S&W Model 39 pistol for a rifle. I loved that pistol. It fit my hand perfectly and was the very first pistol I ever owned. I have always regretted selling that gun. Guess what? There was a S&W Model 39 pistol in this upcoming auction! I wanted it and knew I would not find one in a gun store anytime soon.
Auction day arrived and I was all set. I had my seat and my bid number. While waiting for it to start, I indulged on their tasty treats, water and even adult beverages they provided for free. What I did not get for free was that S&W Model 39 pistol. I bid on it, won it and boy was it worth it. She felt great in my hand. Now it was off to the range with my new prize.
Since that first auction, I have never missed one. There is always something that interests me. Indian pottery, jewelry for the wife, more guns and more guns! There is a special excitement and enjoyment in watching people bid on items, how high the price goes, or seeing something sell that you would never think anyone would want. But at an auction you can find those things and sometimes shake your head in amazement. $20K for a gun in a local small town auction? Yes, it happens.
Reata Pass Auctions owner Gabrielle “Gigi” Gangel is a truly wonderful person. She makes you feel like one of the family. You really know your family when she gives you a nickname! Her father John Gangel, aka “Little John”, is the auctioneer for the event and an absolutely charming and knowledgeable gentleman. He himself has been in the firearms/auction business for over 50 years. As a result of these many years of experience, he has loads of history on the items up for auction. Many of the auction items he himself has sold and now comes back to the auction as an estate sale item.
Speaking of estate sale items, Reata Pass Auctions travels the Country picking up estate items, bringing them back to Prescott and putting them in their auction. You can also walk in with your own items and they will give you an estimate on how much your item might bring at auction. No hassle, no pressure. If you want to put it in the auction you can. I have given them several guns which they auctioned off. Now I have more money for that next auction gun I want!
So, what items might you find at the auction. How about a fully automatic .45 Thompson, or a Zebra skin rug, German Lugers of all shapes and sizes, cases of 50 BMG ammo, ammo of all different calibers, knife lots, an HK P7 M13 9mm, Colt Commando .38 Special, Belgian made Browning High Power, Winchester Model 1895 .30-40 Krag, American Revolutionary War Naval Cutlass circa 1776-1777, Winchester 1892 .32-20, Trijicon ACOG, numerous gun parts, sale lots of stocks, grips, uppers, lowers, and more. How about a Marlin model 45 in .45 caliber. You don’t see those everyday. On all their firearms, you will find a detailed description using NRA grading standards.
Reata Pass Auctions has a 3-day auction about every three months, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. About a month before the upcoming auction, the items go up online where the online bidding can start. You can sign up for online bidding through three online bidding sites shown on Reata’s website. I use Proxibid bidding services. Having an online account allows you to bid if you are out of state or just like that convenience. You can also submit a proxy bid with Reata Pass Auctions and staff will bid for you up to the amount you submitted.
Check out the Reata Pass Auctions website to find the next auction. I invite you to browse their online catalog and see what captures your interest. If you are like me, you bid, you win, and you’re hooked for life.
John Myers is a retired police detective with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. He has been teaching and working on firearms for over a quarter of a century.