Report from the Elmer Keith Estate auction

[cbvanb]

I would add my gratitude for the first hand report. Elmer had a tremendous influence on me as a young shooter and hunter. It's kind of sad to think that the collection has now been broken up, as many of us will never get to see it. However it is nice to know that there are still a lot of people who realize his contributions to our sport, and value the artifacts he left behind.

 

[Joe Kent]

I also want to say thanks for sharing this report. All my best, Joe.

 

[paul s]

This one? I would like to know myself!

Anyone recall what EK's 1877 Sharps long range rifle realized?

 

[schgsd]

Well,

WHAT DID YOU WIN???????

Lot number 489. A nice looking Ruger LCP that I hope will find it's way to my wifes purse.

The sold for prices appear to be up on the website now. I went in and got it today. I asked did everything sell and was told yes. The auction people were just beat. 4 days of it just wiped them out. I spoke with one who did phone bids, said it was sometimes 10 hour days with his ear to the phone. Never had any time to notify winners until it was all over and then on Saturday when it was done they just locked up and went home to recover. That why it wasn't until late Sunday afternoon before I got my email I had won.

I was told they still have a lot of guns, and there will be another auction this summer.

 

[Modified]

It was the right thing to do...that is, sell the collection at this time. With the decline of hunting and the next generation not into this sort of stuff, but 'plastic' guns, the prices just may not be as high. Plus, in another 30 years, those who grew up reading Elmer Keith just won't be around anymore, and the Elmer Keith premium will not be nearly as much.

Eh, I'm the next generation and I bought one of them. Took every penny I had after selling a bunch of stuff and saving as hard as I ever have for anything since I first heard about the auction to have enough cash to try to win something.

I'm sad I didn't manage to win one of his S&Ws, but as a lover of King work I'm still exceptionally pleased with my purchase.

Now please pardon me while I head to the pawn shop. Being of this generation means that cash isn't something I have had many years to stockpile.

 

[A10]

I'm honestly surprised the Number 5 did not go for 6 digits. It must be one of the most iconic Colts in existence.

 

[GaryMD]

Keith Auction Book Poulin

Ok here is the Elmer Keith Auction Book I made up from 3/14/2015 at Poulin Auctions in Fairfield ME.
It has small descriptions of Elmer's lots with realized prices including auction markup.
I feel this is the way we can see what Elmer had in his collection through the years.It is only part ,Julia Auctions had the other part auction the following day.

Click on the link to see or download.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xytr7qve4gwmmew/Elmer Keith Poulin Auction 3142015.pdf?dl=0

Cheers

 

[Carmoney]

Somewhere, P.T. Barnum must be LOL. People apparently got so caught up in the idea of acquiring one of Elmer Keith's guns, that they were paying twice the market rate for modern stuff that was manufactured well after Elmer Keith's death!

 

[Old Corp]

Would have also enjoyed seeing it.....
Grew up reading Elmer, accumulated several of his books. He definitely had a impact on my shooting and firearms interest. And like so many that have passed on - there is NO ONE that can come close to filling his shoes (or boots)

When I see the results of prices in an auction like this - and having spent my life on the relatively low wages of a public servant, I always have to wonder: 'How does someone have THAT much money to 'play' with???'
Most of mine has been earmarked for bills, utilities, mortgages, etc.
Yes, I've been blessed with some toys, but to be able to lay out $40,000 on a firearm or two.....Nearly unbelievable.

 

[beetledude]

Somewhere, P.T. Barnum must be LOL. People apparently got so caught up in the idea of acquiring one of Elmer Keith's guns, that they were paying twice the market rate for modern stuff that was manufactured well after Elmer Keith's death!

??? I'm not seeing that. The most modern gun listed in the collection that sold was manufactured in 1989. If I recall he also died in 1989. Besides those 1989 Rugers, everything else is vintage. Which guns do you see that are modern and made after his death in 1989?

 

[Modified]

??? I'm not seeing that. The most modern gun listed in the collection that sold was manufactured in 1989. If I recall he also died in 1989. Besides those 1989 Rugers, everything else is vintage. Which guns do you see that are modern and made after his death in 1989?

I thought he died in 1984, not 89?

 

[Kelpatt]

A little over 12 years ago a fellow shooter passed and in his estate was a lower grade Parker double with fair provenance to being owned by Teddy Roosevelt. Absent the connection worth maybe $4-5000. I was willing to go 75, all I could borrow at time. Never got the chance to present the offer. Years later learned it traded hands for several times that amount.
I would have liked to owned one of Teddy's guns for a time.

 

[bcr22]

Thanks BCR,
Congrats to you too .It must have been a thrill to see and handle these parts of gun history we read about.

You didn't happen to see the 52 in the flesh did you?I can't wait to see it.I'd like a report on the way it looked the barrel is really big.This was at Poulin across the road from Julia.

Boy I wish I had deeper pockets .You did really good as I saw the lot you bought and said that was a deal.

I think Ted was pressured by family but he sold at the right time prices are crazy right now for some guns.

Best and thanks for the report your post is the only one on the web.

Gary

Hi Gary,

In short I didn't notice the 52. I was mostly looking at the handguns. I didn't even know about Poulins till we got there, and someone told us they had some of Elmer's guns. We got there just about ten minutes before his stuff hit the floor. I just had time to look quick, register, and start bidding. If we hadn't stumbled into that I wouldn't have gotten anything.

I also thought the double rifles were a good deal, but I don't know anything about double rifles.

FYI, when I checked out the lady led me to understand it would be a while before they shipped the guns.

 

[beetledude]

I thought he died in 1984, not 89?

oops you are correct. 1984. That does make some of the lots suspicious especially the later rugers.

 

[Modified]

oops you are correct. 1984. That does make some of the lots suspicious especially the later rugers.

I remember looking at one that was built the year he died and thinking that it must just be the family collection. I found it odd that they sold as well as they did.

 

[A10ACN]

There will be some "Elmer Factor" to guns sold in this auction. Some of it will be real for guns he actually used and wrote about. Others will just be "once owned by Elmer Keith" with the only proof being the auction. It was a pretty big collection and some of the cases had Ted's name on them. Ted being pretty old now himself, it was still neat to see and handle them.

 

[crsides]

I thought I found a sleeper at the Poulin's auction. A rifle I have been looking for anyway. Elmer's Savage 99 in 358win. Put in an absentee bid for $2200 but my bid was cancelled since they found a crack in the stock just before it went up for sale. It sold for $1930.50 on the floor ... I woulda taken it crack and all.

Charlie

 

[texmex]

I'm honestly surprised the Number 5 did not go for 6 digits. It must be one of the most iconic Colts in existence.

I agree whole heartedly. $70,000 is quite a bargain. That has to be the most well known of his revolvers and was the subject of an article in the April 1929 issue of the American Rifleman titled "The Last Word".

I can only imagine what he would have thought of the X frame revolvers. As future generations of shooters learn about Elmer Keith, these firearms will be precious items indeed. There were good reasons he was awarded the first Outstanding American Handgunner Award.

Congatulations to all the successful bidders.

 

[boykinlp]

I thought I found a sleeper at the Poulin's auction. A rifle I have been looking for anyway. Elmer's Savage 99 in 358win. Put in an absentee bid for $2200 but my bid was cancelled since they found a crack in the stock just before it went up for sale. It sold for $1930.50 on the floor ... I woulda taken it crack and all.

Charlie

Charlie, why would they cancel your bid without checking to see if you would still be interested in the gun?

 

[JSR III]

How many times we hear buy the gun and not the story. This is one of those cases where the story far exceded the gun...