Morphy’s September Firearms and Militaria Auction Triumphs at $6.4 Million

Top lots include a WWII German C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun at $270,600, an MG-34 machine gun at $150,000, a Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger at $116,850, and a Japanese Type 100 machine gun at $110,700

Denver, PA — September 2026 — A rare German World War II C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun soared to $270,600, more than doubling its $120,000 high estimate, to lead Morphy Auctions’ three-day Firearms and Militaria auction held September 15-17 in Denver, Pennsylvania. The sale featured nearly 1,200 lots of antique and collectible firearms and grossed $6.4 million.

World War II Firearms

The C G Haenel MKb.42(H) was the overall top lot of the auction. The select-fire rifle used an intermediate-size cartridge capable of fulfilling many combat roles, an important historical development that allowed soldiers to carry more readily available ammunition and switch quickly between aimed fire and suppressing fire. Nearly all of the 8,000-12,000 units produced from 1942-43 were fielded to Russia, which is why so few appear in the United States. The example offered had a near-excellent original finish with clean and attractive wood.

An amnesty-registered German MG-34 machine gun with matching visible numbers, including Bakelite butt, barrel and bolt, realized $150,000, exactly twice its $75,000 high estimate. The gun came from a collector who had acquired it more than 20 years ago and had a noted machine gun dealer match three sets of correct barrels and bolts for it. Among the rarest features the consigning collector and cataloger cited was the originally matching barrel and bolt configuration, which very few MG-34 specimens possess.

An extremely desirable Japanese Type 100 machine gun, perhaps the most sought-after Japanese machine gun model of World War II, finished above high estimate at $110,700. Manufactured by Nagoya Arsenal, the gun included one original magazine, a reproduction sling and a steel buttplate. Fewer than 6,000 Type 100 weapons were manufactured, and few specimens appear in the National Firearms Act registry.

Pistols and Revolvers

A DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger, Serial Number 22432, sold within estimate for $116,850. Manufactured during the period when the U.S. Army was evaluating self-loading handguns to replace revolvers, this pistol was one of approximately 50 made for the U.S. Board of Ordnance during the 1902-1903 trials program. It was once part of the prestigious Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess collection and was extensively documented in The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols by Gortz and Sturgess.

An important prototype Colt 1851 Navy Conversion Single Action Revolver with a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel sold within estimate for $56,580. The .38 CF caliber revolver was pictured on page 112 of The William M. Locke Collection by Frank Sellers and is considered an exceptional prototype for the later factory conversions of the 1851 Navy and the models that followed.

Sporting Firearms

A David McKay Brown 12 bore over/under shotgun with accessories and case realized $45,600. The fine Scottish gun features 28-inch demi-bloc barrels mounted with a narrow, flat matted rib and an action engraved with nearly full coverage of well-cut open shaded scroll. The bores were excellent, the action tight, and the walnut and black morocco leather case exceptional.

A Heym .470 Nitro Express side-by-side double rifle breezed past its $18,000 high estimate to bring $28,290. The rifle features a brass bead front sight, flip-up moon sight, and smooth ramp, with a half-length rib matted across the top and a vignette reading “PAUL JAEGER INC. GRAND JUNCTION, TN.” The action and barrel furniture are embellished with acanthus scrollwork and linework edges.

Edged Weapons

An Izumi no Kami Owari Nobuie katana with mounts and NBTHK papers, measuring 38.25 inches in length, sold within estimate for $11,070. The blade is signed Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Nobuie, a title granted by the Imperial Court in recognition of the maker’s craftsmanship. The sword displays a powerful gunome midare hamon and is a superb ubu (uncut) example by a highly skilled maker, already mounted and papered.

Militaria and Accessories

A rare, large, untouched engraved Havana map powder horn dated July 7, 1763 and decorated with polychrome colors brought $43,200, easily surpassing the $30,000 high estimate. The horn, previously unknown and recently discovered in a New Jersey family where it had been passed down for several generations, measures 13.5 inches across the bow and 18 inches along the curved body. The professionally engraved plan of Havana includes depictions of Moro Castle, Shepards Battery, New Store, Reguler, Ponto, North Port, and Fuza, with polychrome red used alongside black pigment and five detailed warships engraved on the surface.

A 2nd Model Confederate Morse single-shot carbine, manufactured at the State Military Works in Greenville, South Carolina, and chambered for its proprietary .50 Morse cartridge, realized $28,800 against a $15,000 high estimate. The 20-inch round barrel features a diminutive drift adjustable front blade sight with dovetailed rear sight, and the overall length is 39.5 inches. These carbines seldom appear at public auction.

For complete auction results and the fully illustrated catalog, visit Morphy Auctions.