The Ray Howser Collection (1931-2026)
For more than fifty years Ray Howser was the owner, heart, and soul of the legendary Pony Express Sport Shop on Ventura Boulevard in Encino. Together with his partner, “Bob” Ellithorpe, Pony Express offered fine antique and collectible firearms, rare and historic militaria, and quality Western art. European and American collectors would make repeated trips to the mecca in Encino, assured of finding treasures in a friendly atmosphere fostered by the genial Mr. Howser. Well respected for his comprehensive knowledge of fine firearms, accessories, and ephemera, Ray quietly built an encyclopedic private collection of rare firearms and related ancillary material.
The Howser Collection begins with a 15th century European hand cannon and ends with 20th century automatic pistols. European rarities include a magnificent fully inlaid Silesian wheellock tschinke retaining nearly all its blue and gold finishes, an Ducal quality Italian snaphaunce gun, and a fine silver decorated flintlock double gun by Anschutz. Oddities intrigued Ray and he acquired a number of fine examples including a Jarre Harmonica pistol, a good Bittner, and a complete Nordenfelt gun. As a true aficionado of the American West, Ray loved good Winchesters and several 1866’s are present; as is a genuine St. Louis Hawken rifle, and a factory engraved deluxe Marlin rifle carried by legendary Western artist, Edgar Paxson.
Comprehensive private collections such as Ray’s, assembled with taste and care over five decades are very rare today. Lewis & Grant are deeply honored to have been entrusted by the Ray Howser Trust to present his collection with the same care with which he built it and displayed it in both his gun room in Northridge, California and ultimately his vault in Nibley, Utah.
Post Auction Questions
Winning Bidders- A winning bidder will receive a finalized invoice 2-3 business days after the auction date. This invoice will include items, Buyers Premium, taxes, and final shipping total. Please email FFL or C&R License to info@lewisandgrant.com
Can my items be picked up? A wide range of items—including antique weapons and any non-firearm lots—can be shipped or picked up without additional requirements. However, firearms and other regulated pieces may require specific licensing or transfer procedures depending on your location and the item’s ATF designation (e.g., Curio & Relic, modern, NFA). If you need clarification on a particular lot, our Customer Support team will be happy to assist. (Mon & Friday 10am-4pm).
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