By BOB RIGGS
Indiana Correspondent

CHARLESTOWN, Ind. — Long-time Clark County, Ind. resident Richard “R.C.” Crone owned an extensive collection of firearms. So when it came time for the sale of his estate, there were few surprised when a crowd of more than 300 bidders turned out to bid on Aug. 20.

The sale also included tools and machinery from Crone’s farm. Vintage tractors, more modern tractors, antique machinery and plows, plus chain saws and lawn equipment were sold first on the front lawn of the county fairgrounds. Then the sale moved inside to an air-conditioned building where more than 40 handguns and 50 rifles and shotguns went under the gavel. The were many popular brands such as Smith & Wesson, H&R, Ithica, Ruger, Colt and more.

There were rare collectible guns; some made in the 19th Century, too. Examples included an engraved Ansley H. Fox (A.H. Fox Co.) double-barrel shotgun, and a rare 1894 US Springfield Krag rifle, which did not sell.
There was also an engraved Beretta over and under, and a reproduction of a Sharps black powder, lever action drop block, double trigger rifle.
A viewing of the collection prior to the Harritt Group sale revealed that Crone had diverse tastes in ordinance. However, he apparently preferred Colt handguns.

While not the most expensive pistols because they were mass-produced and popular, Crone had an assortment of Old West, military and law-enforcement weapons that were representative of the professional working man’s standard peacemaking fare of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Samuel Colt began his manufacturing venture when he developed and patented in 1835 and 1836 the first practical single-barrel revolvers. His invention eventually became the most popular handgun in the United States.
Colt pistols, both revolver and automatic, that sold at the auction for the following prices:

•Colt .32-caliber automatic, rimless smokeless model – $300
•Colt World War I commemorative 1917 .45-caliber automatic, engraved Chateau Thierry – $750
•Colt M1991 A1 Series 80 .45-caliber ACP automatic with white grips and a dull black finish with carrying case – $700
•Colt Police Positive .38 Special revolver – $270
•Colt Police Positive .38 Special revolver –$285
•Colt Official Police .38 Special revolver – $275
•Colt Police Positive .38 Special revolver with a 5” Barrel, refinished – $210
•Colt Police Positive .38 Special with metal ring on the bottom of the handle – $295
•Colt Single Action Army .38 Special revolver – $1050.
•Colt Single Action Army.45 Caliber revolver with chrome finish – $550.

The Beretta brought $850, and the Sharp reproduction netted $1,300 during the auction.

Also at sale in the county fair hall was a large selection of ammunition, a glass-door gun cabinet, manuals and other gun-related items.

The antique tractors were another story, but a 2007 New Holland, bought new in 2009, brought $10,750 at auction.