Featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world
The newly merged and expanded firearms team of James D. Julia Auctioneers and Morphy Auctions is honored and extremely pleased to present the magnificent collections of the late Ray Bentley. Ray’s dad before him was a collector of firearms and the passion for collecting was passed on to Ray at a very early age. Ray’s Winchester collection, based on condition, rarity and value, is the finest of its type currently in private hands today.
Starting in the 1960s, Ray began the pursuit of what would be a life-long passion. His goal was to amass the finest Winchester Collection in existence. For years, if a gun dealer got a spectacular Winchester, Ray was their go-to person. At the time of his recent passing, Ray’s collection was gun-for-gun unquestionably the finest Winchester collection in the world today. Many of his Winchesters are either the finest known example or one of only a couple in existence in such high condition. As such, the auction of his collection will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for connoisseurs of fine Winchesters. As a collection, there is nothing like this spectacular assemblage.
The extraordinary condition and quality is virtually breathtaking to any collector of fine Winchesters, and in addition to his world-class collection of Winchesters Ray amassed innumerable collections with the same discerning eye. His spectacular silver trophy collection is like nothing you will probably ever see again.
Some of his other collections include rare fireman trumpets and equipment, fine sheriff’s badges and rare medals, an extensive collection of uniforms and hats, many belonging to famous personage; his collection of saddles, rare collection of ammo, rare and fine pistols, swords and knives and the list goes on.
The first session of the Ray Bentley Collections will be held at Julia’s auction facilities in Fairfield, Maine in March 2018 and will include many rare, important longarms, handguns, knives & swords, rare ammunition and much more. Future sessions will be held at the Morphy Auctions facility in Denver, PA throughout 2018.
Session One will also include important items from Ray Bentley’s silver trophy collection featuring a historic, sterling, oversized beaker to Baron von Richthofen aka The Red Baron from Kaiser Wilhelm, an incredible detailed sterling British battleship, rare and historic, finest known Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund £100 Trafalgar trophy, only 15 awarded – “Wm. Hargood, captain of HMS Belleisle for his meritorious services…obtained over the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar, Oct. 21, 1805” and a beautiful repoussé bowl with extraordinary scenes of rescue at sea for the Steamship San Francisco, and many more.
Ray was the consummate passionate collector, an accomplished and successful businessman, with a wonderful engaging personality and above all a gentleman of the finest class. If you are a collector of quality Winchesters this is a once in a lifetime event you will not want to miss.
Remaining guns and other important Bentley collections will be offered at future Morphy auctions throughout 2018. Some of the collections will include uniforms, military hats and helmets, sheriff’s badges, more sterling trophies, toy trains, fireman collectibles, leather, and more.