Past Collections
View results and catalogs of our previous sales & consignments
Roger McCarthy Collection & Taming the West
November 4th & 5th, 2022
About the Auction
This auction weekend featured two very distinct days. Both included collections from profound figures who impacted history in the United States as well as abroad.
Treasures of Asia: the Roger McCarthy Collection, featured antiques and collectibles from across East Asia and Tibet. Roger McCarthy served 30 years in the CIA (1952-1982). During his tenure, he held several positions including Case Officer, Regional Officer in Charge, Deputy Chief of Station, and Chief of Station. He served in numerous countries: Japan, Thailand, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Peru, Burma, and Laos. He was one of the early and few paramilitary trainers that trained many foreigners for a variety of operations. These operations took place in Indonesia, Korea, Tibet, Vietnam & Laos. Most notably, Mr. McCarthy headed a top-secret CIA Tibetan Program called “ST CIRCUS”, in which the group trained Tibetan Freedom Fighters in paramilitary and intelligence gathering techniques in preparation for parachuting them back into Tibet in order to conduct operations against the Chinese communist forces. In 1959, Tibetan trainees were primarily responsible for the dramatic escape of the Dalai Lama out of Tibet and into India in order to prevent the Chinese from kidnapping him. These trainees became the Dalai Lama’s personal escort to freedom.
Taming the West, featuring a superb collection of Bob Scriber sculptures from Delwyn Gage, who served the Montana State Senate from 1982 to 1998. Also, a collection of historic, Western guns from the Collection of Michael Westergard a prominent Montana Artist and Historian.
Third Annual Montana Big Chief Auction
September 30th, Oct. 1st & 2nd, 2022
About the Auction
Our 3rd Annual Big Chief Auction takes place every October and features an exceptional collection of western antiques, Native American artwork and artifacts, western art, and so much more.
Some highlights from day one were a Ronald V. Nixon Railroad Photograph Archive, a Babe Ruth baseball bat, a wonderful collection of northwest coast Haida and Native American masks and artwork, a collection of Nikon camera lenses and bodies, and more cowboy collectibles and antiques.
Day two, our main event, featured a wonderful white buffalo calf taxidermy, wonderful and old wooden decoy, Navajo sterling silver squash blossom necklaces, Taylor Lynde paintings, John L. Clarke bronze, Bill Shaddix painting, Earle Heikka bronzes, and more. Other collections are Dr. Harley Niblack Furniture, Frontier Medicine and Surgery Sets, and the Milton Bradley Anatomical Charts.
Day three was our military extravaganza that featured over 600 lots of military surplus and historical artifacts.
Once Upon a Time in the West
August 27th & 28th, 2022
About the Auction
Our two-day auction offered an array of lots that were reminiscent of a time in the past. We featured a large stereoview collection depicting the western frontier, civil war, outlaws (Dalton Gang), Native Americans and life in the West. Other highlights include photographs by Ansel Adams and Edward Curtis, paintings by Joseph Henry Sharp, James Lee Colt, Jack Tworkov, Charles Wysocki, Bob Scriver, Old Master and Renaissance Engravings, Jorge Braun, artwork by Earle Heikka, Taylor Lynde, Jay Jung, and Jose Trujillo, just to name a few.
Day two showcased our military day with over 700 Lots of surplus items. ammo, and historical artifacts. Highlights include an experimental Cavalry sword, and a collection of WW1 French and American pilot uniforms.
Treasures of the West
August 13th & 14th, 2022
About the Auction
Snapshots of the Great American West
July 30th, 2022
About the Auction
Visions of the West
June 24th, 25th & 26th, 2022
About the Auction
Prospecting the West
June 11th & 12th, 2022
About the Auction
Western Montana Roundup
April 29th, 30th & May 1st, 2022
About the Auction
Artistic Impressions of the Natural World
March 25th – 27th, 2022
About the Auction
Spectacular Spring Bonanza Auction
February 26th & 27th, 2022
About the Auction
Montana Frontier History Auction
January 29th & 30th, 2022
About the Auction
In the Montana Frontier History Auction, our day one auction featured cowboy spurs, bits, Indian beadwork, turquoise jewelry, Navajo rugs, Indian artifacts, Chinese and Asian Objects, tokens, Coins, Montana photography and historical items and so much more. A highlight of our art portion is the addition of an original Rembrandt etching of Jan Lutma. Our day two auction featured our Military and Firearm Day. Including a 7th Cavalry Montana Campaign Hat, a Signal Corps Messenger Pigeon Cage, a Collection of Vietnam War Theater Made Patches and many more unique and historical items.
The Second Annual Black Friday Weekend Extravaganza
November 27th & 28th, 2021
About the Auction
Day one includes a vast number of historical objects, Chinese antiques, jewelry, beer advertising, taxidermy, artwork, and coins. Day two is our traditional Military Auction. It has a large number of Military Artifacts including a WW1 1lb 37mm Cannon, Historic Firearms, Animal Traps, and much more.
The Second Annual Big Chief Auction
November 6th & 7th, 2021
About the Auction
Our Second Annual Big Chief Auction is a curated collection of unique museum-quality antiques and collectibles. This is a two-day online LIVE event that will be hosted on the 6th and 7th of November. Over $400,000 in estimated value. Some never before seen historic Native American Indian Items, Charles Manson Photos, High-Quality Instruments, Military Items, Many Early and Significant Firearms, the Best Northwest Coast Box ever offered on the open market.
The Great Northwestern Art Bonfire
September 25th & 25th, 2021
About the Auction
This auction featured artworks from a wide variety of notable artists including Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, John Louis Clarke, Walter Hook, and Harry L. Lopp. A handful of antique Chinese objects including Paintings, Zisha Imperial Dragon Teapot, Qing Dynasty Altar Table and Pair of Official’s Hat Chairs. A brass scale collection, Japanese woodblock prints, Native American Beadwork and Jewelry. We are also proud to offer Robert Beaty’s person knife-making materials. The second half of the day exhibits our monthly military auction including reloading goods, firearms, surplus and a rare never before seen Civil War Prototype Billinghurst-Requa Volley Machine Gun.
Montana Summer Discovery Auction
August 21st & 22nd, 2021
About the Auction
Our two-day sale features an array of eclectic collectibles, the first portion of Dale Dye’s personal estate including exotic handmade bows. Fine artwork from John Louis Clarke, Betty Bierne Pierson, Taylor Lynde, fishing equipment, Indian artifacts, vintage clothing, firearms, military collectibles and historic memorabilia. Military featured items include Pilot’s Universal Geneve Dato-Compax Chronograph watch, Bo Foster’s General’s uniforms used when flying Goring to Nuremberg, a proclamation forming the German Film Academy signed by Hitler and Goebbels.
Montana Frontier Trading Post
July 10th – 11th, 2021
About the Auction
Our Montana Frontier Trading Post auction honored the true western outpost by featuring a large collection of furs, traps, native American beadwork and so much more! We offered part two of Gene Wensel’s, Brother’s of the Bow Collection, which included taxidermy from around the world and a signed collection. Also sold was a large Railroad and Toy Train Collection. On our second day, we featured our military extravaganza. We are continuing to sell the largest privately held Military collection in the world. We were proud to offer an Inert M40 Recoilless Rifle (one of only a small handful in private collections).
Fueling the American West
June 4th – 6th, 2021
About the Auction
Our Fueling the American West auction started off with an outstanding gas and oil collection from a Montana Estate. All original items with no reproductions. This collection included large amounts of gas pump plates, license plate toppers, signs, oil cans, and gas globes. This day also featured a fully restored H. Earl Clack Heccoline Hi-Power Visible Gas Pump, a fully restored 1973 Airstream International Land Yacht Trailer and high-end gas globes including Husky, Litening, and Frontier. Day two followed with our Montana history and art showcase, featuring a painting by Ty Barhaug, Taylor Lynde, Anthony Barham, Jack King, and Ace Powell. Additionally, an array of Montana photography, collectibles, and Tag Heuer watches. Our last day featured a rare Spanish American War 1890 Mortar Cannon, Grover Cleveland’s Son USMC Uniform, and an original Bob Hope Vietnam War USO Tour Uniform.
Montana Masterpieces Auction
April 16th – 18th, 2021
About the Auction
For our Montana Masterpieces Auction, we were extremely proud to offer you the best of Montana from artists and photographers to knife makers and more. Day one started with an assortment of fine Chinese, Japanese and Asian antiques, western prints, famous bronzes and a museum-quality Montana beer collection. On day two we featured part one of Gene Wensel’s, Brothers of the Bow, hunting collection and “Montana Masterpieces” highlighting compositions by Joseph Henry Sharp, R.H. Mckay, Taylor Lynde, Ralph Earl DeCamp, Olaf Carl Seltzer, Harry L. Lopp, Rudy Ruana and many more. Day three concluded with a large assortment of rare military artifacts featuring an original ship’s wheel from the U.S.S ArizonaRare Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona Relic For Auction by Davis Brothers.
The Great Montana Territorial Library Auction
February 27th & 28th, 2021
About the Auction
In this auction, we featured one of the most phenomenal libraries offered to the public in years from Bob Borcherdt, a local Montana estate. Borcherdt’s library starred rare western first edition books, National Park surveys, and more. In addition, fine western art from artists such as Eanger Irving Couse, Bert Geer Phillips, and Ray Swanson was auctioned off. Day two featured the next edition of our ongoing military artifact extravaganza including relics from all wars and firearms.
Montana New Year’s Revolution
January 16th & 17th, 2021
About the Auction
This auction set the year off right with unique and beautiful finds from Northwest. The first day featured high-end clothing, western artwork, a wonderful library, Indigenous and tribal artifacts and Asain antiques. Day two featured the beginning of an extensive military auction filled with lots from all wars and Montana history.
Black Friday Weekend Extravaganza
November 28th & 29th, 2020
About the Auction
Our Annual Black Friday Extravaganza features a range of antiques and collectibles. Day one highlights a large wildfowler decoy collection, Montana taxidermy, artwork from around the world, historical signs, a Third-Phase Chiefs Blanket, and an expansive collection of Missoula-made Bunyan Bug Fishing Flies. Day two stars an extravagant military collection, beautiful jewelry, gemstones, firearms, various knives, coin-operated machines and a few exceptional original Native American tomahawks.
Inaugural Montana Big Chief Auction
October 18th & 19th, 2020
About the Auction
A unique museum-quality auction featuring a local private collection is being offered for sale. Over $400,000 in estimated value. Some never before seen historic Montana photographs & Native American beadwork.
Sam Audrain Collection
About the collection
The Sam Audrain Collection is truly a special piece of history that featured one-of-a-kind skateboards and other rare memorabilia from skateboard history. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Audrain led the initiative to make skateboarding what it is today. Audrain traveled the country to help bring a community out of empty swimming pools and into the mainstream skate parks you see today.
