"General Auctions",where a few guns(usually NOT rare or collectable) are offered,are becoming almost non existant,at least up here in Maine. "Guns" tend to be "picked" out by the auctioneers,and then consigned to a gun and weapon auction,often with militaria and "sporting items" thrown in. Makes sense,as you will attract only "interested buyers". I've done "well" at only one general auction;a rare S&W Triple Lock Target,7 1/2" bbl. for $170!-BUT no other "gun people" were present! It was an auction loaded with alot of "vintage farm items". Seems like you benefitted,asa,from the "auras of the 1911 and the Luger",and bidders were probably "recovering"! Best auction story; probably close to two decades ago,I was at a gun auction that featured single shots,muskets,and some nice vintage Winchesters. A Winchester collector,probably in his early 40's arrived in a Jaguar with his very sexy and "expensive" blonde wife. Everytime he bid over $300 or so,for a Winchester,she gave him a dirty look,and at times,pulled his arm down! he bought "0" Winchesters. Towards the end of the auction,a few handguns went on sale; I got the gun I came for,a very rare 3" Police Pos. .38 Special,that I later lettered and sold for much more than the $150 I paid there for it. I guess "blondie" figured it was safe to go to lady's room(or in this case a "porta potty"-which must have killed her to place her butt on!),the last gun was an average Forehand and Wadsworth solid frame .38,which shouldve gone for $35-50-BUT-the frustrated Winchester collector,opened bids at $300!-and he got it! He mumbled to a buddy and me,who were shaking our heads,along with most in the auction tent,"this will piss the bitch off more!" Bud