Elmer Keith's Guns For Sale

[Jim Watson]

Holy grimoley, they are selling off Elmer's guns.

From the Julia ad:

James D. Julia’s March 15-17, 2015 firearms auction is shaping up to be an Event for the Ages and will be the focus of those passionate about firearms and firearms history. A highly anticipated grouping of firearms and accessories from the Iconic Elmer Keith Estate Collection will be a featured component of the sale. Many of these fabulous items have been on display at Elmer Keith Museum housed inside Cabela’s Boise, ID retail showroom. All items in the collection have remained in the possession of the Keith family since Elmer’s passing in 1984.

His collection being offered at Julia’s includes treasures from Keith’s battery of African stopping rifles, highlighted by the legendary “Corbett Tiger Rifle”; the famous Jeffery .450/400, once the principal weapon of famed Tiger hunter Edward James “Jim” Corbett. Also a selection of English Best Quality stopping rifles by Westley Richards and Holland & Holland, Classic Farquarsons and magazine rifles by Hoffman Arms and C-H, along with a host of specialized hunting and target handguns by Smith& Wesson, Ruger, and Colt… The prize being Elmer’s much publicized tricked out and engraved Colt “SAA No.5” in .44 Spl which Keith called The Last Word in fine Sixguns.

They don't have a detailed catalog of his guns as they do for some of the other collections being sold off, watch their site.
http://jamesdjulia.com/373_shs/
About 3/4 of the way down the page to get to Elmer's section.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I never thought about selling a kidney until now.

 

[splithoof]

The WR's & H&H's are what I'm interested in. Been waiting on this for thirty years.

 

[tarosean]

I never thought about selling a kidney until now.

It's a Julia Auction.. You will probably need more than a kidney...

 

[bannockburn]

Yes you' ll need more than a kidney; quite probably an arm and a leg as well! These auctions at least make for interesting viewing, even though I could never afford most of the guns they have listed.

 

[steveno]

maybe I will win the lottery by auction time

 

[UpTheHill]

they are about 1/2 hour from me.
I think I'll wander over and watch.

 

[Onmilo]

Only American Express Sir.
Only American Express...

 

[Ranger Roberts]

It's a shame they don't have more pictures of Elmer's guns.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

While I appreciate Elmer Keith an important historical figure in gun development. I can't get why his personal collection is such a big deal. I'd rather spend the money to have it duplicated then own it. Granted I'm not looking to spend money on guns anymore really unless it involves building it.

 

[oneounceload]

I never thought about selling a kidney until now.

As others have mentioned, the other kidney, arm, leg, first born, maybe the wife - and that might cover the buyer's premium. You not only get to bid high and buy, then you pay an extra 10-15% for that privilege, plus shipping and FFL fees.........

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I would so dig having one of his "development period" .357, .41 0r .41 Magnums.

To have one of those along with original or re-prints from publications like American Rifleman would be so much cooler than other eminently collectible pieces like firearms from those demented turds Bonnie & Clyde.


Elmer Keith.... Hell, he was there! Or so I've read.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, they are selling the original No 5 Single Action and you don't get much more developmental than that.

I was wondering, is son Ted short of funds in his 70s?
Has Cabelas concluded that Elmer is no longer well enough known to be a draw to their Utah store?

 

[OilyPablo]

Really confused. Is this not in McMinnville? I've been by that place many times.

 

[threefeathers]

His guns should be placed in a proper museum to be shared by all gun owners.

 

[mac66]

I am guessing that the family has decided to let them go while they are still worth some money. I think we are about a generation away (if even that) from people forgetting who he was. Perhaps someone who will appreciate them will buy them and they will end up in a proper museum.

 

[lilguy]

I'm in my 60s and bumped elbows with Elmer and Bill Jordan at NRA conventions
back in the 70's. I talk about those times with shooters in their 30'd and 40's and all I get are blank stares. The golden age of guns is long gone.

 

[A.Fischer]

I'm in my 60s and bumped elbows with Elmer and Bill Jordan at NRA conventions
back in the 70's. I talk about those times with shooters in their 30'd and 40's and all I get are blank stares. The golden age of guns is long gone.

Not if you are from Idaho! Hell, Mr. Taffin was my math teacher!

 

[Leanwolf]

A. Fischer - "Not if you are from Idaho! Hell, Mr. Taffin was my math teacher!"

John Taffin was instrumental in working with Elmer Keith's son, Ted Keith and Cabelas to set up the Elmer Keith Exhibition at the new Cabelas' store in Boise, several years ago. I image he is disappointed that the collection is to be sold.

I've seen it quite a few times when shopping at the Boise Cabelas, and have always been fascinated by the history associated with all of Keith's firearms and mounts. Too bad the exhibition and collection will not stay at Cabelas.

Time marches on and is relentless, huh?

L.W.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I

can't get why his personal collection is such a big deal. I'd rather spend the money to have it duplicated then own it

Okay - let's see you "duplicate" the first production .44 magnum "N" frame that was given to Elmer by S&W / Remington because he was instrumental in developing the round and gun.

Or, a custom, engraved Ruger #1 in a Keith wildcat caliber given to Elmer by Bill Ruger.

Those are the kind of guns that are part of the collection - you can't "duplicate" the guns.

The Elmer Keith museum at the Boise Cabelas was very well done, and extremely interesting. My wife and I spent nearly 3 hours looking at the exhibits and guns.

It would be nice to see the guns go to another museum and kept together as they tell an incredible story of a one-of-a-kind man who had a great influence on hunting and shooting sports.

 

[oneounceload]

Maybe the NRA museum?

 

[bannockburn]

I agree with the notion that it would be nice to see at least a few of his guns end up in a museum, maybe the NRA Museum in Virginia. Have them set aside a special exhibit dedicated to Elmer Keith and the many things he brought to the world of firearms over his lifetime. That way future generations will have chance to learn something about him and he won't become some half forgotten footnote in firearms history.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Nice to see, sure, but it would take someone with deep pockets to make it happen.

 

[anothernewb]

wow. Seems to me, this is one of those things where, if you have the capability purchase, you have already been contacted, and they have the limo and the personal jet (if needed) waiting for you in advance of your answer.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I have his Sixguns book. An interesting read, written by a more interesting man. Wish I could afford to bid.