History

The impact and reputation Greg Martin established within the arms, armor and related collectibles industry is extensively documented.

Auction Industry

Greg Martin founded the Arms, Armor and Western Memorabilia department of Butterfield & Butterfield in 1986. Under Mr. Martin’s direction and the reputation he established with collectors and dealers in his specific industry, he was able to develop the department to become the largest in the world with sales totaling over $200,000,000 in antique arms, armor, militaria and western historical memorabilia. In 2002, Greg Martin successfully launched his new auction firm Greg Martin Auctions (GMA) with Bernard Osher and John Gallo the following year with an initial auction totaling over $4,500,000. The new GMA firm grew in sales rapidly under their continued direction, reaching over $16,000,000 in sales in 2006 when the firm was sold to Spectrum International. Under Mr. Martin’s consultancy, GMA/Spectrum sales continued to impress the industry with sales in 2010 totaling $14,000,000.

There is not a significant collector or dealer that Greg Martin has not either sold to, bought from or consulted. Forty years of marketing on the inside cover of Man at Arms Magazine document the most important arms, armor, and related collectables ever offered for sale.

Record prices achieved under the direction of Greg Martin

Throughout his career, Mr. Martin had the pleasure of marketing some of the finest collections of arms and related artifacts. They include:

The Carl Press Collection…$30,000,000
Robert Howard Collection…$20,000,000
John Woods Collection…$4,000,000
William E Simon, former  Secretary of the US Treasury…Roosevelt Gun Collection
Warren Anderson Collection…$10,000,000

Carl Press Collection Colt Board: $1,050,000
T. Roosevelt Sporting Gun: $500,000
Colt Gold Inlaid Revolver: $810,000
Winchester Rifle One of One Thousand: $680,000
Serial Number 1 Single Action Colt: $970,000
Alfred Cali Paterson: $977,000
Bowie Knife: $125,000
Paterson with 12” barrel: $840,000
Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo Coat: $50,000
Overland Stagecoach: $550,000
Pat Garrett’s badge: $150,000
General Custer Flag: $175,000
Bonnie and Clyde bullet-riddled shirt: $100,000
General Geo H Thomas’ Civil War Sword: $240,000
John W. Hardin Colt Lightening: $150,000
Single Bullet that killed John W. Hardin: $40,000
.45 cal Luger Pistol: $500,000

Additional Collections Sold:

William Harrah – Parker Lyon Pony Express Museum
Harrolds’ Club Collection, Reno, Nevada 
Bowie Knife Collection of Chas. Schreiner & Bob Berryman
Bill Williamson Collection of Knives
Treasures of the West – William F. Cody “Buffalo Bill” Museum 
Donald Tharp Sword Collection