Theodore Roosevelt’s Smith & Wesson revolver fetches nearly $1 million at auction: 'Fantastic condition'
Former President Theodore Roosevelt's revolver sold at auction for $910,625. (Rock Island Auction Company)
A gun belonging to former President Theodore Roosevelt was auctioned off recently for nearly $1 million.
Roosevelt’s iconic Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver sold for $910,625 at Rock Island Auction Company’s December Premier Auction.
The total realized price was within its estimated value range of $800,000 to $1.4 million, according to information shared with Fox News Digital.
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Rock Island Auction Company is based in Illinois.
Joel Kolander, interactive production manager, said in an interview that this price is historically high for a collectible firearm. He also described the iconic gun as being in "fantastic condition" even though it's well over a century old.
"We're thrilled any time a gun approaches that million-dollar mark," he said of the collectible.
Rock Island Auction Company sold former President Theodore Roosevelt's Smith and Wesson New Model No. 3 Single Action Revolver. (Rock Island Auction Company)
"A few years ago that was almost unthinkable, so firearms as a collecting genre has really come a long way."
The Smith & Wesson was first presented to Roosevelt on May 12, 1898.
That was the same day he left for San Antonio to train the Rough Riders, according to Rock Island.
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Even though the intention was to carry this revolver into war against Spain, documentation from Roosevelt’s bodyguard revealed that the president instead kept the gun on his bedside table.
The revolver became known in the White House as a "nightstand gun."
Ahead of the auction, Kolander mentioned that many of these historic items are often undervalued.
This is, in part, because they’re an "atypical canvas," compared to other collectibles such as luxury cars or sports memorabilia.
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"You can be involved in several different genres of collecting and still have firearms appeal to you," he said.
Teddy Roosevelt's Smith and Wesson revolver is shown with its official documentation. (Rock Island Auction Company)
"So, their undervaluing is really a little bit of a bewilderment to me," he also said.
And when it comes to Roosevelt's gun, Kolander explained that it's priced "remarkably low" compared to other genres, especially since it's an item that belonged to one of the most famous presidents in U.S. history.
He added that the revolver "also has a pretty intrinsic value as a high art object."
"It shows both how far fine arms have come in recent years and how far there is to go," he said.
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Rock Island Auction Company wrapped up its weekend-long auction with a volume of more than $18.3 million.
"Over the span of three days, history was brought to life, with immense firearms artistry on display, and one of the most historic lineups to date," the company said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"This sale had it all: rarity, beauty, history and so much more."
Other historic items sold include outlaw Jesse James’ attributed Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver and holster, which fetched $152,750.
A Cuno Helfricht Master engraved Colt Model 1877 Lightning double action revolver was auctioned off by Rock Island Auction Company. (Rock Island Auction Company)
A Cuno Helfricht Master engraved Colt Model 1877 Lightning double action revolver sold way past its estimate, at a realized $323,125, Rock Island told Fox News Digital.
An extremely rare, exhibition-grade Gustave Young engraved gold Winchester Model 1866 rifle gaveled for a "monumental" $211,500.
Meanwhile, Abraham Lincoln's Civil War presentation carbine only sold for $105,000, which Kolander said "seems like a steal."
Rock Island specializes in selling fine and collectible arms as the no. 1 firearms-based auction house in the world.
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Rock Island has been at the "top of the industry" since 2003, Kolander said.
Jesse James’ attributed Smith and Wesson Schofield revolver and holster sold at auction for $152,750. (Rock Island Auction Company)
It continues to sell collectibles such as swords, military artifacts and western art.
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"There’s an opportunity [for bidders] in the firearms collectibles field," he said.
"They’re really undervalued."
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