You might have a fortune collecting dust in your gun safe. Across America, valuable firearms sit unrecognized in closets and collections. Many owners have no idea their grandfather’s old revolver or hunting rifle might be worth thousands, even millions. Let’s explore 23 rare guns that command eye-popping prices when they surface at auction.
Samuel Colt’s first commercial revolver changed firearms forever. Made between 1836 and 1841, this five-shot pistol lacks a loading lever, forcing users to disassemble it completely for reloading. Few survived due to this fragility. The rarest examples come in original cases with accessories. One pristine Paterson sold for nearly a million dollars in 2011, proving these pioneering revolvers hold astronomical value.
Winchester created these premium rifles for customers wanting the best of the best. Only 136 of these special Model 1873 lever-actions exist, each marked “One of One Thousand” on the barrel. They feature hand-selected wood, superior accuracy, and distinctive engraving. A documented example sold for $528,750 in 2016. The Wild West connection makes these rifles legendary among collectors who chase them relentlessly.
This Confederate firearm offers unique firepower with nine revolver chambers plus an additional 20-gauge shotgun barrel underneath. Jean Alexandre LeMat designed just 2,900 of these distinctive weapons. Many were smuggled through Union blockades during the Civil War. Confederate officers favored them for their versatility in battle. Examples with verified Southern military provenance can fetch over $25,000 today.
German soldiers in World War I carried these distinctive pistols with extra-long 8-inch barrels. The Artillery Luger came with a wooden stock attachment, effectively turning it into a carbine. Troops could mount a snail drum magazine holding 32 rounds. Surviving examples often include holsters and accessories. A complete set with matching numbers recently sold for $7,500, with rarer variants commanding much more.
The iconic “Peacemaker” tamed the American West. Manufactured between 1873 and 1941, first-generation models with low serial numbers command premium prices. The U.S. Army adopted it as standard issue, while lawmen and outlaws alike carried them. Factory engraved examples or those with documented ownership by famous figures like Wyatt Earp can hit six figures at auction.
Professional buffalo hunters depended on these powerful single-shot rifles to feed railroad crews and earn their living. The heavy octagonal barrel and precise double-set triggers made them deadly accurate at remarkable distances. Most feature .50-70 or .50-90 calibers powerful enough to drop a bison with one shot. A pristine example sold for $18,400 in 2020, with custom-engraved models bringing substantially more.
Before mass-producing P38s for German forces, Walther created a test run with “0” prefix serial numbers. These pre-production pistols show superior craftsmanship with high-quality bluing and walnut grips instead of the wartime Bakelite. Fewer than 1,000 exist. Nazi collectors prize these early examples for their historical significance and quality. A verified Zero Series in excellent condition can fetch up to $15,000.
John Browning designed this lever-action specifically for dangerous game hunters facing bears and elk. The rare .50-110 Express chambering offered massive stopping power in a repeating platform. Winchester produced relatively few in this caliber, making them highly desirable. Deluxe walnut stocks add additional appeal. An original-condition example recently brought $23,000 at auction, with documented hunting history adding even more value.
Before America entered World War II, the first 5,000 M1 Garands used an experimental gas system later abandoned for reliability reasons. These “Gas Trap” models feature distinctive front-end components visible to knowledgeable collectors. The U.S. military recalled and modified most examples, making originals extremely scarce. A fully restored Gas Trap Garand recently commanded $18,000, with untouched specimens worth considerably more.
Cavalry troopers praised this top-break revolver for quick reloading during skirmishes. Major George Schofield modified the design specifically for mounted soldiers. Only 9,000 were manufactured, many seeing hard use in frontier campaigns. Jesse James reportedly favored one. The unique .45 Schofield cartridge it fired became popular with cowboys. A documented example recently sold for $14,500 at auction.
Upland bird hunters treasured these double-barrel shotguns for their perfect balance and reliability. The VH grade represented Parker’s entry-level offering, but early examples still feature beautiful Damascus steel barrels. Connecticut craftsmen built each by hand before 1900. Their reputation among traditionalists remains legendary. A pristine 12-gauge from the 1890s recently fetched $13,800, with upgraded engraving adding significant value.
Before standardizing the famous 1911A1 design, Colt produced experimental versions testing various features. These prototypes often lack standard markings or have unusual serial numbers. They tested different trigger guards, grip safeties, and slide stops before finalizing the design. Military historians consider them crucial developmental links. A verified prototype sold for nearly $29,000 in 2018, reflecting their historical importance.
Japanese officers carried these distinctive pistols throughout World War II. Early examples from the 1920s show superior craftsmanship with finer machining than later wartime production models. The smaller trigger guard identifies these valuable early versions. Occupation forces destroyed many after Japan’s surrender. A pre-1930 Type 14 in excellent condition with a matching holster recently sold for $5,200 at a specialized auction.
Before Winchester existed, the Henry rifle revolutionized firearm technology with its 15-shot capacity and lever action. Civil War soldiers lucky enough to obtain one gained tremendous firepower advantages. The distinctive brass receiver and octagonal barrel make it instantly recognizable. Only 14,000 were manufactured between 1860 and 1866. An 1862 model with battle history recently sold for $34,500, with pristine examples commanding even more.
Henry Deringer created these palm-sized pocket pistols for self-defense in urban environments. Each measures under six inches long yet delivers large-caliber stopping power. They became infamous after John Wilkes Booth used one to assassinate President Lincoln. Genuine examples bear “Deringer Philadel’a” markings on the barrel. The actual Lincoln assassination weapon sold for $8 million, though typical examples still reach $50,000.
John Browning revolutionized shotgun design with this semi-automatic model featuring a distinctive humpback receiver. The earliest examples came from FN in Belgium during 1903 with serial numbers below 10,000. Their fit and finish surpass later mass-produced versions. Collectors identify them by their long barrels and exquisite wood-to-metal fit. A first-year Auto-5 recently brought $9,800 at auction, with special orders commanding even more.
German troops needed 9mm pistols during WWI ammunition shortages. Mauser converted their distinctive C96 design from 7.63mm to 9mm Parabellum, marking grips with a red “9” for identification. The attached wooden holster doubled as a shoulder stock. Only 150,000 were made during wartime. A matching-numbers Red 9 with original stock recently sold for $6,900, with mint examples approaching five figures.
This innovative lever-action featured a unique rotary magazine instead of a tubular design. Early 20th-century hunters prized its hammerless action and accuracy. The discontinued .303 Savage caliber makes pre-1940 examples especially valuable. The distinctive brass counter showed remaining cartridges at a glance. A 1920s Model 99 in this caliber with original finish recently sold for $4,200, with deluxe checkered stocks commanding more.
Remington sold these sturdy single-shot rifles to armies worldwide between 1867 and 1890. Foreign contract examples bearing Egyptian, Swedish, or Spanish markings command premium prices. The simple, robust design made them ideal for harsh military conditions. Their distinctive rolling breechblock gives them their name. An Egyptian-contract rifle with original markings recently brought $6,800, with rare calibers adding significant value.
Samuel Colt and Captain Samuel Walker designed this massive revolver specifically for Texas Rangers fighting Comanche warriors. Only 1,100 were manufactured in 1847, with many destroyed in combat. Weighing over four pounds and chambered in .44 caliber, it remained the most powerful handgun for decades. A documented example sold for $1.84 million in 2018, making it among the most valuable firearms ever sold.
Theodore Roosevelt personally ordered these early Springfield rifles modified after criticizing their fragile rod bayonets. The Army produced fewer than 20,000 with this feature before replacing it with a knife bayonet. The discontinued design makes them instantly valuable to collectors. These rifles have early serial numbers and distinctive barrel fittings. A pristine Rod Bayonet 1903 recently sold for $12,500 at auction.
British officers carried these .38 caliber revolvers throughout World War II. The earliest models from the 1930s feature superior craftsmanship from the Royal Small Arms Factory. Tank crew variants have unique spurless hammers preventing snagging inside vehicles. Wartime production shortcuts make prewar examples more desirable. A mint condition 1930s No. 2 Mk I with military markings recently fetched $3,900 from a specialized collector.
Richard Gatling’s hand-cranked machine gun transformed warfare with its unprecedented rate of fire. Early models from the 1860s-1870s featured six to ten barrels firing up to 200 rounds per minute. Most saw harsh military service, making survivors extremely rare. Original examples often have brass fittings and wooden artillery wheels. A functional 1870s Gatling recently sold for $242,000, with even restored examples commanding six figures.
Check serial numbers and manufacturer stamps first. Original finish significantly impacts value, sometimes multiplying worth tenfold. Military markings or historical documentation can transform an interesting antique into a museum-worthy treasure. Consult experts at established auction houses like Rock Island or reference online pricing guides. Even a seemingly ordinary firearm might hide extraordinary value. A professional appraisal could reveal your unexpected windfall.