June 19, 2017 – What to Consider When Buying a Machine Gun (part 3) – by John Keene, BATF Compliance/Inventory Manager & Class 3 Specialist – The history-centric machine gun collector is typically moved by the allure of history in either the general development of machine guns, or by fact that they were used by armed forces of a specific country, or at a particular event, or perhaps linked to a particular noteworthy individual. This kind of collector is by far the most commonly encountered and most passionate machine gun owner or would-be owner. Guns which fall into the category of “historical” also are generally the prime focus of the would-be machine gun investor/shooter. It is the broadest and most farreaching of all machine gun categories. [Read More]
 

June 19, 2017 – What to Consider When Buying a Machine Gun (part 2) – by John Keene, BATF Compliance/Inventory Manager & Class 3 Specialist – In the previous newsletter article we discussed the three kinds of machine gun purchaser/owners, and what motivates them. Once you know which category of buyer that you are in, this will help you focus on the type of gun that is right for you. In this article we will address what might be a good “first” machine gun for the shooting enthusiast. The assumption is that the would-be owner’s important considerations are to have a gun that is reliable, relatively straightforward and easy to maintain, and takes readily obtainable ammunition. This also assumes that, like most of us, you have a limited budget, and have had little or no opportunity to shoot a variety of machine guns. Perhaps you have never shot a machine gun at all, or have shot one incidental to military service, but not privately… [Read More]
 

May 12, 2017 – What to Consider When Buying a Machine Gun (part 1) – by John Keene, BATF Compliance/Inventory Manager & Class 3 Specialist – When it comes to the buying and selling of machine guns, James D. Julia is the leader in North America, and in fact since 2008 more machine guns have been sold at auction here in Fairfield, Maine than at all other auction houses in North America combined. However, we still find that many gun collectors and potential gun collectors do not even realize that it is possible to legally own machine guns under Federal law. While there are some states that do prohibit or restrict private ownership of machine guns, most allow the ownership of machine guns as long as federal requirements are met… [Read More]
 

February 7, 2017 – The Extraordinary Warren Buxton Collection of Walther Pistols The finest, most comprehensive remaining of its type in private hands today by James D. Julia, President & Auctioneer – For many years, Julia’s has been continually honored with the opportunities to sell some of the world’s finest collections of firearms. In keeping with this special tradition, our April 11th-13th, 2017 auction will feature a number of such collections. One of which is that of the late Warren Buxton. Warren was a much-admired passionate and scholarly collector. Walther P38s became a very special and focused passion for him and in addition to the incredibly comprehensive collection he amassed, he also wrote 3 ground breaking scholarly books on the P38. At the… [Read More]
 

December 12, 2016 – Law Enforcement Signature Requirement to Transfer Machine Guns Eliminated by John Keene – Firearms Division
Many gun collectors, and even advanced gun collectors, have either overlooked or shied away from pursuing the collecting of machine guns, and other weapons that fall within the category of National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons
Many gun collectors, or potential gun collectors, do not realize that it is possible to legally own machine guns under federal law. While there are some states that prohibit or restrict private ownership of machine guns, most allow the ownership of machine guns as long as federal requirements are met… [Read More]
 

September 13, 2016 – Lefever Arms – An American Iconic Maker by Josh Loewensteiner, Consultant and Sales Representative – Firearms Division – Daniel Myron Lefever was born August 27th 1835. He died October 29th 1906 in Syracuse, NY. In his 71+ years here he made an indelible mark on the gun world and his creations are still highly sought after to this very day. Dan, or “Uncle Dan” as he was known in the trade, started in the gun business as a gunmaker in 1859 at the ripe age of 24 in Canandaigua, NY. His first partnership was with a man also noted in the trade, Mr. James A. Ellis and together in 1862–just after the start of the Civil War–they formed… [Read More]
 

July 27, 2016 – Confederate Arms by John Sexton, Julia’s special agent and cataloger – James Julia auctions has proven to be the best seller of Confederate arms in auction over the past several years. I’m proud to catalog Confederate and Civil War objects for James Julia providing detailed provenance, history and detailed condition reports. I catalog important historical arms exclusively for Julia’s as they consistently allow me to properly describe every nuance, good and bad, and guarantee their clients receive warranty as described in their unique terms to auction industry. [Read More]
 

May 19, 2016 – Confederate New Orleans Swords by John Sexton, Julia’s special agent and cataloger – Confederate manufactured swords are quite scarce regardless of manufacture. At the start of the Civil War, there were few industrialized cities in the South. New Orleans was by far the largest southern city with a population of about 170,000. Indeed, New Orleans was the fifth largest city in the United States in 1860 and the only southern city with over 100,000 residents. Antebellum New Orleans was always well known for cutlery, especially bowie knives, and when the war began several manufacturers were making swords. Production of high-grade officer swords in 1861 and early 1862 in New Orleans rivaled all others Confederate cities. [Read More]
 

April 1, 2016 – The Royal Armoury of the Nizam of Hyderabad by Wes Dillon, Senior Consultant and Sales Representative – Julia’s recently concluded March 14-15, 2016 Firearms Auction proved to be yet another brilliant success in a long line of historic and important offerings coming to market under the auspices of the Julia firm. The sale grossed approximately $15 million which was approximately 30% above low estimate value of the items sold. In this highly touted auction, no less than 300 items generated $10,000 or better; 45 items realized over $50,000; and 20 items generated over $100,000. There was a great depth of participation in nearly all categories of guns. [Read More]
 

February 9, 2016 – The Finest Confederate Revolver in the World by Wes Dillon, Senior Consultant and Sales Representative – The Civil War witnessed a technological revolution in weaponry. This was highlighted by a changeover in hand-held and shoulder-fired weapons from single shot smooth bore firearms that had to be loaded through the muzzle to rifled barrel repeating firearms, some of which loaded at the breech. Unfortunately for the common soldier, tactics did not advance as quickly as technology. Napoleonic tactics from earlier in the century now combined with more accurate, faster-firing weapons to result in catastrophic casualty figures throughout the War. [Read More]
 

December 30, 2015 – 2015 – A Year For The Books by Francis Lombardi – As we come to the 2015 year end, it is hard not to take a moment to reflect upon those events that are now history at James D. Julia Auctions; and what a wonderful year it has been. As the new Fine Firearms department head, I have changed roles from one of admiration and awe to now the responsible party to make sure Julia’s leadership tradition is carried into the foreseen future. Surrounded by a great team and inspired daily by a visionary founder, I can assure you that I consider myself a very lucky guy indeed! [Read More]
 

June 8, 2015 – International Distinction by Wes Dillon – Few images of late 19th century American history conjure up a feel for the spirit of the “Old West” more than the vision of a Man, a Horse, and a Winchester lever rifle. It was, after all, a Winchester that won the west! In the days of Cowboys and Indians, the gun was a tool for foraging and defense. Men educated by the hardlearned lessons of the land, carried repeaters if they could afford one. The rich and profligate carried a gun in the vest, on the belt, in the saddle and survivors always had one or two handy at the homestead or around camp. The Winchester Model 1873 rifle was truly remarkable, designed to utilize the revolver cartridges of the day with great effectiveness, complimenting and extending the range of the frontier six-gun and thus became the most popular repeater of its day. As Colt and others chambered revolvers in .38, .32 and .22 calibers so did Winchester in its 1873 creating a unique and profitable symbiosis. The demand for Winchester rifles was international in scope, with commercial and military orders originating from Canada, Europe and South America. [Read More]
 

February 26, 2015 – Colonel Jim Corbett and his Man-eating Tiger Rifle by Ross Seyfried, for James D. Julia – It is very difficult to distill the greatness of Jim Corbett into a space of any size and almost impossible to do so here. But because we have before us a monument to him it seems necessary to try. Jim Corbett, like most great men, was a very quiet and humble man. It was said that his first book Man-Eaters of Kumaon was only written because he hoped its sale would contribute to the funds of St. Dunstan’s, a training school for blinded Indian Soldiers. [Read More]
 

December 29, 2014 – Mister Magnum – Elmer Keith by Wes Dillon
To most firearms aficionados, Elmer Keith needs little introduction. Keith’s iconic trademarks were his love for tobacco, his ten-gallon Stetson hat, right of center point of view, and practical expertise. Elmer became arguably the most famous and prolific gun writer in all of America over the span of his 60 year career. Even today his articles and books are widely reprinted with the content being as applicable, timely and entertaining as the day they were written. [Read More]
 

September 10, 2014 – Winchester’s Finest by Wes Dillon
In the beginning, the concept of the first Winchester side-by-side shotgun was likely little more than a few reverse engineered pencil drawings of the competitor’s doubles of the day. After all, Winchester had made its name and fortunes as a Repeating Arms Company, and had done well by developing the patents the likes of John Browning and others. An organically developed double gun was way down the list of priorities for the company in the first quarter of the 20th century. As the Model 21 was being launched, the United States was slipping into the Great Depression. Winchester Repeating Arms Company went into receivership, and was bought at bankruptcy auction by the Olin family’s Western Cartridge Company on December 22, 1931. Fortunately for Winchester, Western’s First Vice- President John M. Olin was an avid sportsman and gun enthusiast. [Read More]
 

August 8, 2014 – Boss Man by Wes Dillon
As the dog days of summer give way to earlier sunsets, cooler nights, and the promise of the season’s first true Sportsman’s Holiday, gunners in all but the most liberal states plan for a ritual unlike no other… The September 1st Opening Day of Dove Season. [Read More]
 

May 13, 2014 – The Original Quarter Pounder by Wes Dillon
In the golden age of the British ivory trade, the ubiquitous big bore double rifle was king. These massive weapons were the Great White Hunter’s “heavy artillery” during the black powder era (1850-1890) for all thick-skinned pachyderms and dangerous game. Double rifles came to prominence primarily in India and Africa during the height of the British Empire. The double rifle was preferred over the more nimble single shot and repeating firearms of the day in its ability to allow the shooter to make a split-second follow-up shot on a charging beast without having to reload. This can mean a matter of life or death when an enraged wounded animal charges in close quarters and thick cover. Without exception, the black powder big bore “stopping rifle” was the weapon-of-choice for professional hunters of the period. [Read More]
 

March 3, 2014 – Une paire De Luxe by Wes Dillon
Throughout the 20th century, the appreciation of the highest level of quality in shotguns has been very much an acquired taste, much like a fine vintage port. For the sporting elite, utility tended be of lesser importance in the means of harvesting supper and in the libations to follow. What mattered was that the game be skillfully dispatched with an instrument of singular beauty and that the après libation be sufficiently aged and of sufficient quantity. The luxury hallmark in modern sporting arms was staunchly the property of a select few London sidelock gun makers during the Golden Age at the turn of the century. Opulence and prestige in after dinner libation was, is, and forever will be, Portugal’s pennant. [Read More]
 

February 26, 2014 – Strike Up the Band by Wes Dillon
While most certainly all of us can hum the familiar notes of the “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and some of us might recognize that upbeat tempo of “The Liberty Bell” is the theme song of the classic British comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I would bet very few are aware that on November 6th 2013, the nation celebrated the 159th birthday of the man behind these patriotic compositions, one of the most remarkable and interesting men of the Gilded Age, the “March King,” John Phillip Sousa.
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January 29, 2014 – The Truly Remarkable Archive of Civil War Materials from Luis Fenollosa Emilio, a Captain of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This treasure trove of letters and memorabilia details the day-to-day experiences and observations of a heroic leader of one of the first official African American units in the United States during the Civil War-the same Regiment portrayed in the 1989 Academy Award winning film “Glory.”

Julia’s is excited to present this historically important collection in association with the company’s upcoming Fine Art, Asian and Antiques Auction to be held February 4th-7th, 2014. These materials-so extensive that they will be sold in two lots-are from Emilio family descendants and are certain to be of profound interest to collectors, military historians, and museums around the world. [Read More]

October 8, 2013 – Boss & Co., Builders of BEST GUNS Only
Best Gun. These two words have a magical meaning to gun collectors. First used by British gun makers in the 19th century, a Best Gun was more than just the finest firearm a company produced. It was the maker’s interpretation of what a fine shotgun could be and the basis for everything he hoped to achieve. [Read More]

September 26, 2013 – The Kentucky Long Rifle
Probably one of the greatest icons of Early American Firearms is the Kentucky long rifle. These sleek firearms are like a young shapely maiden; a thing of beauty. Sleek and long with curves in all the right places, sometimes ornamented with special embellishments. They can be admired for the beauty by the collector and the non-collector. [Read More]

June 13, 2013 – America’s Best
Throughout the period of the modern sporting age, the recognition of “Best Quality” in shotguns has been very much an acquired taste, much like fine wine. There are those whose opinions of quality are based upon staunch and recognized authority, such as the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, and then there are those who let their palates do the tasting and the talking. The best quality hallmark in modern sporting arms has been a mantle traditionally carried by a select few London gun makers since the peak of the trade in the mid-1800s. [Read More]