From humble beginnings to million-dollar listings: Rock Island Auction Company (VIDEO)

By Scott Gara

From its humble beginnings in an 800-square-foot garage in the mid-1990s, Rock Island Auction Company has become a premiere destination for the American gun collector and history enthusiast alike. The Illinois-based company has seen substantial growth in recent years – upgrading to an 86,000-square-foot facility and setting industry records with $63 million in annual sales – thanks in part to the tireless work effort of the employees and the family atmosphere. “You can interchange the words team and family here because we’re a family business. Nobody’s satisfied with the status quo,” said Kevin Hogan, President of RIAC.
It’s apparent when you look at the growth that RIAC has undergone in the just the last few years alone. They continue to set industry standards for auction houses partially because they can sell guns, such as the finest known Winchester 1886, for world record prices but also because they are able to sell antique collectibles to the common man with reasonable requests. “We cut our teeth on $1,000 guns… It’s not for the ultra-elite, it’s for gun lovers everywhere,” Hogan said.
M1 Garand serial number 1,000,000 was auctioned during their September premiere auction (Photo: Ben Philppi/Guns.com)
A couple gents admiring the historic gun (Photo: Ben

Source: Guns.com