Firearms

John leads our BATF compliance efforts as well as being responsible for identifying, evaluating, appraising and cataloging specialty military firearms for auction. He specializes in Class 3 machine guns from the first half of the 20th century. He also has expertise with machine guns from the 1950s onward, as well as last century military firearms. Complementing this encyclopedic knowledge is his understanding of the complex rules and regulations associated with different machine gun classes as defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF). As such, he is a huge asset to Class 3 buyers and sellers, able to facilitate and complete transfer forms properly, with extensive experience and expertise in handling transfers from estate situations after the registered owners have deceased, as well as making updates and corrections to the all-important BATF Class 3 registry.

Mr. Keene is a retired Army combat veteran who has proudly served our country for over 28 years. Keene was a charter member and officer of the Hiram Maxim Historical Society.

Withem received his first gun at age 12. Today, he has more than 40 years of experience collecting, appraising, and buying and selling firearms and sporting collectibles, including WW1 German militaria. Withem has deep expertise with Luger pistols, Winchesters, and Colt revolvers. He has contributed to several published books, including History Writ in Steel German Police Markings 1900-1936 (Thai Watana Press Co., Ltd., 2009); Simson Lugers: Simson & Co, Suhl, the Weimar Years (Brad Simpson Publishing, 2007); and Police Lugers: German Police Lugers and Their Markings 1918-1958 (Golden Belt Printing Inc., 2012) and is currently working on a book about the Colt 1877 DA. Withem is a member of the Winchester Collectors Association and the Colt Collectors Association. Prior to Morphy’s, Withem owned and ran a firearms store in Southern Oregon.

A graduate of the University of Maine system, Jeremy brings a breadth of experience to the Morphy’s team. Coming from the James D. Julia Inc. team, Jeremy has been an intricate part of the Firearms Division, working with both consignors and buyers to achieve their goals. Prior to joining Julia’s he was the Senior Sales and Marketing Executive for over 11 years with Shooting Sportsman Magazine  and Fly Rod & Reel and has attended many trade and consumer firearms shows around the country, working closely with individual clients and companies. A lover of fine sporting guns and pointing dogs, Jeremy is “hands on” in the field as well. He grew up in a sporting family and to this day can often be found wandering through the mountains or following a pointing dog through the uplands of New England. He is a member of the NRA, Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, North American Versatile Hunting Dogs Association, North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club, and the Maine Trappers Association. Jeremy is a fully licensed Master Maine Guide for twenty years, a great accomplishment in and of itself.

David, a fourth generation antique dealer and appraiser, has been professionally involved in the firearms industry since 2000. He has been collecting arms and armor since he was five years old and buying and selling as a dealer at shows since he was ten. Today David has special expertise in Kentucky rifles; early French, Indian, English, and American guns; and edged weapons. David will be responsible for identifying and valuing fine arms and armor, cataloging, developing and growing consignment networks, and representing Morphy’s at firearms events nationwide.