Charlie C. Davis was a life-long educator, having graduated from North Central High School in 1958, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at IU in Bloomington, then returning home to Ramsey to teach social studies at North Harrison, becoming the assistant principal, and finally the principal. Charlie was also active in the community. He was an early member of the Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department and Ramsey Water Corporation. He was president of the Old Lake Club and a member of the Southern Indiana Rifle and Pistol Club.
Charlie’s interest in guns and shooting began with his family’s love of history. Both his mother and father’s families were early settlers of Harrison County. His great uncle served in the Spanish American War; his father served during WWII; and his brother served in Vietnam. Military history was a special interest of Charlie’s. His bookshelves were filled with nonfiction books covering all aspects of military history with a special interest in anything about World War II or Westward expansion.
Charlie was an avid collector of World War II military items. He was very precise in his collecting, noting the year, make, and manufacturer of each item he purchased and collected. He was very proud that his collections were so varied, including not only M1 Garands, but also helmets, helmet covers, canteens, cups, bayonets, scabbards and other items used by soldiers during WWII.
He was an early member of the Southern Indiana Rifle and Pistol Club, serving as its president for many years. His interest in competitive shooting motivated him to drive to New Albany to the pistol range every Wednesday and Friday night. He also set up a practice range in the backyard of his house and in an old chicken house that he could heat and practice during the winter months.
He traveled all over the country competing in shooting events including competing at Camp Perry in the National matches. He also shot competitive air pistol. In later years he enjoyed going to outdoor gun ranges to compete in competitive rifle matches.
He traveled to Montana and Wyoming to hunt prairie dogs several years in a row, braving bad weather, precarious roads, and not very nice accommodations.
Charlie was incredibly proud of his collections. His family hopes that the items will go to persons who will appreciate not only their unique contribution to American history, but also the man who spent his lifetime amassing his vast collection.
CHARLIE DAVIS ESTATE LIFETIME GUN COLLECTION
VINTAGE FIREARMS & MEMORABILIA AUCTION
QUALITY VINTAGE MILITARY FIREARMS
(25) M1 CARBINE/GARAND RIFLES
COLT SAA REVOLVERS
WINCHESTER LEVER-ACTION RILFES
QUALITY-CONDITION-PROVENANCE
ONLINE ONLY-ENDS JULY 7/9
ADDRESS: 1743 IN-135 SW, Corydon, IN 47112
LOCATION: Just 3 miles S of Corydon or 12 miles N or Brandenburg KY!
(Beckort Auctions Showroom)
PUBLIC INSPECTION/OPEN HOUSE: Thurs July 2 12-3 PM
AUCTION INFO: Charlie Davis was an avid collector of WWII military items; he was very precise in his collecting and very particular in having historically accurate firearms. He served as the president of his local Rifle/Pistol Clubs, was a historian of military history, and competed throughout his lifetime in shooting events! Visit beckortauctions.com to view 115+ firearms & 250+ lots of ammo/accessories. Nearly all guns have history, provenance, & documentation!
SUBMACHINE GUN-CLASS III/TRANSFERABLE: ’75 Auto-Ordnance US 1928A1 Thompson 45
INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER M1 GARAND RIFLES (6): ’53 IH M1 “Postage Stamp”; ’53 IH M1 “Gap Letter 4M Range”; ’55 IH M1 “Gap Letter 5M Range”; ’53 IH M1 “Arrowhead”; ’52 IH M1 “Arrowhead Variant”; ’53 IH M1
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY M1D/M1 GARAND RIFLES (9): ’43 SA M1D Sniper w/optics; ’43 SA Type 2 Nat’l Match M1; ’54 SA M1; (2) ’42 SA M1; ’42 SA Marine M1; (2) ’43 SA M1; ’44 SA M1
WINCHESTER/H&R M1 GARAND RILFES (4): (2) ’43 Win M1; ’45 Win “13” M1; ’56 H&R M1
M1 CARBINE RIFLES (4): 1942-3 Win; 1943-44 Rock-Ola; 1943 Irwin-Pederson; Inland Mfg
US MILITARY RIFLES (12): SA M1A; US Springfield Model 1873; US Rock Island Model 1903; US SA Model 1903 Mark I; (2) US SA Model 1903; US Rem Model 1903; US Smith-Corona Model 1903; US Rem Model 1903-A3; US Remington Model 1917; US Springfield Model 1898; German G43 8mm
COLT RIFLE: Colt Pre-Ban AR15 A2 HBAR 223 rifle
COLT PISTOLS (12): (3) 1918 Colt 1911 45; (2) 1943 Colt M1911A1 45; 1944 Ithaca M1911A1 45; 1944 Rem Rand M1911A1 45; Colt 1911 Gold Cup MK IV 45; Colt 1911 WWI Comm 45; Colt 1911A1 Nat’l Match 38; (2) Colt 1911A1 Mark IV 45
GERMAN PISTOLS (4): 1917-18 Mauser Broom Handle Model 1896 7.63 w/accessories; 1908 Luger 9mm; 1943 Mauser P38 9mm; Spreework Walther P38 9mm
COLT REVOLVERS (21): 1900 Colt 1873 SAA 45; 1884 Colt 1878 Frontier 45; 1911 Colt 1873 SAA Bisley 38; 1914 Colt 1873 SAA 32; 1914 Colt 1873 SAA 38 (w/spurs & documents); 1902 Colt 1877 Lightning 38; Colt Police Positive 22 (original box); Colt 1873 3rd Gen SAA 357 (NIB); 1862 Colt 1860 Army 44; (6) Colt Model 1851 Navy 36; (6) Colt Model 1849 31
WINCHESTER LEVER ACTION RIFLES (19): (2) Win Model 1873 38; (2) Win Model 1878 22; Win Model 1876 40-60; Win Model 1885 High Wall 22 w/Win scope; Win Model 1886 38-56; Win Model 1892 44 (owned by Win Exhibition Shooter E. Lind); (5) Win Model 1892 (44, 38, 32, 25-20); (5) Win Model 1894 (38-55, 32, 30); Win Model 71 348; Win Model 64 30-30; Win Model 1907 351; Win Model 63/75 22
SMITH & WESSON REVOLVERS (11): S&W 25-2 45; S&W 29-2 44; S&W 27 357; S&W 19-3 357; S&W 28-2 357; S&W 1904 357; S&W 638-3 38; S&W 17-3 22; S&W 34-1 22; S&W 52-2 38; S&W 41 22
MODERN RILFES w/LEUPOLD OPTICS (5): Rem 700 243; Rem 700 222; Ruger 77/22 22; Cooper Arms 21 223; Cooper Arms 57LVT 22
VINTAGE MILITARY ACCESSORIES: (20) US rifle bayonets; (10) military helmets; (20) US canteens; US accessories; gun stocks; clips/magazines; etc
20,000+ ROUNDS AMMO: 7.62mm; 6mm; 45; 44-40; 38-55; 38-40; 38; 357; 351; 32-20; 32; 30-40; 30-06; 308; 30 Carbine; 30; 25-20; 243; 222; 22
GUN RELATED ITEMS: Puma Bowie knives; gun range items; optics & spotting scope; 1940’s American Rifleman magazines; LARGE amount of gun reference books; vintage ammo boxes; CMP hard gun cases; LARGE amount of reloading equipment/items