AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: bnail on September 18, 2014, 10:14:40 PM
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owning one of Herschel's guns has long been tops on my list, but I've never made any serious attempts at trying to find one 'till now.
anyone know if he's still taking orders, or who's working in the Woodbury school?
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You can at times find one for sale. I have seen a few at the CLA shows for sale, be prepared to pay a premium price. I think he has a long list of people waiting for him to build them one. If you are fortunate to be on the list. Best of luck
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I wondered if he was even still taking orders.
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Well there are certainly a lot of them out there. Finding someone willing to turn loose of one is another matter. If you do it's gonna cost ya.
Good luck,
Jeff
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Bnall,
He may be taking orders he can build one in short order however he only builds one once in a blue moon! Or if he needs the money!!
Better find one built! I know of a gentleman that had one for sale back a month or two ago and don't know if it sold or still for sale? It is one built around 1969 / 70? with a I think 54 cal swamped barrel iron hardware full length walnut stock and large slier lock! If interested send me an email and I will check with him and see if it is still available?
Dave R
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There was one at the CLA show for $4800.
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There was one at the CLA show for $4800.
how are Hershel's guns valued? Early period vs later: one valued higher than the other?
is there an average price range?
I think I just need to get down to the shows and see for myself
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Herschel's guns........never saw one I didn't like. As for price, whatever the owner has
the guts to ask. I first met Herschel in 1977 at the Eastern rendezvous in Brookville,
in the rain and mud. Now, when I see him, he greets me as "Mr. Don". A very unique
individual............Don
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The true value of any desirable item is what a willing buyer will pay a willing seller,no more,no less.
Bob Roller
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Not just Herschel's guns. His knives seem to sell within minutes of their listing on the CLA site. No other knife maker has this much appeal.
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My neighbor has 4 Hershel House rifles and 1 pistol. I drool over them ever time I visit. His work is one of a kind.
I have 2 of his knives. His knives sell faster than anyone elses knive. He sure has a following for his items.
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The true value of any desirable item is what a willing buyer will pay a willing seller,no more,no less.
Bob Roller
the whole value concept, of worth vs. price, made me reluctant to even post this queries, but I didn't really know how else to phrase it. Of course you're 100% correct Bob that anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay. However, I'm more interested in the intrinsic value of Hershel's guns today and what the average market value is; especially when comparing a new-built (if that's even a possibility) with a previously owned rifle.
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My question is why do you want a H H rifle? At this point I imagine he is at the pinnacle of producing rifles for those that don't have to give a thought to their cost. I'm sure he's there because he earned that place. He's fully developed both the talent and the persona. So back to why do you want one?
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My question is why do you want a H H rifle? At this point I imagine he is at the pinnacle of producing rifles for those that don't have to give a thought to their cost. I'm sure he's there because he earned that place. He's fully developed both the talent and the persona. So back to why do you want one?
have wanted one since I first saw him in Foxfire. it's a personal thing but I've always liked Hershel's style and I would like to have one of his rifles to take the woods with me. unfortunately, as a youngster, I never thought I could afford one of his guns, but now, I fear they've become "investment" pieces and, consequently, priced accordingly.
To comment on your second sentence, I feared that a House gun may have reached the point of "if you gotta ask, then you can't afford it."
It's part prestige, but mostly a sense that this guy gets it and it shows in his work.
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Im guessing they are investment grade now and I have images of guys driving exotic sports cars with one over the mantle of their camp that they rarely visit because they are too busy chasing prestige. They take them out and shoot them and become frustrated because they don't have time to work up a proper load and had the expectation that they would put powder and lead in it and it would ahoot dead on because its a H H. I am sure there are many guys that don't fit this fantasy so if your one of them don't get all pissy with me. Could just be the knob creek clouding my judgement. His knives and guns are works of art. For my part I would like to have a nice herman rupp by allen martin
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Im guessing they are investment grade now and I have images of guys driving exotic sports cars with one over the mantle of their camp that they rarely visit because they are too busy chasing prestige. They take them out and shoot them and become frustrated because they don't have time to work up a proper load and had the expectation that they would put powder and lead in it and it would ahoot dead on because its a H H. I am sure there are many guys that don't fit this fantasy so if your one of them don't get all pissy with me. Could just be the knob creek clouding my judgement. His knives and guns are works of art. For my part I would like to have a nice herman rupp by allen martin
No Worries, I'm not offended. I want a House gun, but if the realities of the situation dictate otherwise, I would at least like to have a rifle built by someone who's studied with Hershel. like I said earlier, I just need to get to some of the shows. this internet $#@* is a poor substitute.
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I would check out Chuck Edwards. Or Mel Hankla.
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Agree, Chuck Edwards is a long time friend of Hershel's. They collaborated on a build that was featured in the June 2004 Muzzle Blasts.
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Agree, Chuck Edwards is a long time friend of Hershel's. They collaborated on a build that was featured in the June 2004 Muzzle Blasts.
thanks for the heads up guys
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Had one of Franks rifles for several years. Hunted and drug it around on treks all over.
Got so paranoid with caring a high $$$$ gun. I sold it........ big regret!!!!
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Talk to Frank. He still builds them and its a House rifle!
Darrin
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I talked with Frank House at the recent CLA and he is no longer taking orders for rifles. He said he was too busy with restoration work and other stuff. Tim Cosby
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I talked with Frank House at the recent CLA and he is no longer taking orders for rifles. He said he was too busy with restoration work and other stuff. Tim Cosby
well that sucks!
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I'd recommend checking with Ian Pratt - a very good maker in the Woodbury style
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If you want a top builder, you are going to have to learn patience. On the bright side, it gives you time to save up. If I wanted a woodbury, Ian would be the guy.
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I had a conversation with Ian about four or five months or so back. Said he was about four or five years backlogged and wasn't taking any new orders. May have changed since I spoke with him. Give him a call and see. He does great work. Tim Cosby
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You'd surely have time to save up. I think when I spoke with Ian he figured he could have a gun to me in something like 5 years. You may be younger than I am. ;)
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bnail: "It's part prestige, but mostly a sense that this guy gets it and it shows in his work."
Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants and will not be denied, but you should know there are a lot of folks and many right here that 'get it', and it shows in their work. Good luck to you!
Robby
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bnail: "It's part prestige, but mostly a sense that this guy gets it and it shows in his work."
Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants and will not be denied, but you should know there are a lot of folks and many right here that 'get it', and it shows in their work. Good luck to you!
Robby
So True Robby and that's about where I'm at. there are great builders out there whose work I've seen, but no names ever stuck out. I figure I never will own a House gun, but I'll keep looking and learning. one of the reasons I posted this topic was that I did not turn up much when I searched the site for "Hershel House" or Woodbury.
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Chuck Edwards has a website. Take a look.
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Im guessing they are investment grade now and I have images of guys driving exotic sports cars with one over the mantle of their camp that they rarely visit because they are too busy chasing prestige.
Huh?
Perhaps you're dealing with some insecurity issues?
John ;D
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Im guessing they are investment grade now and I have images of guys driving exotic sports cars with one over the mantle of their camp that they rarely visit because they are too busy chasing prestige.
Huh?
Perhaps you're dealing with some insecurity issues?
John ;D
All my life actually. Some handle it differently than others. I've heard say that the dude with the flashy exotic car is just as insecure as the guy who keeps his money in the bank afraid to buy one.
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I wish you luck in finding one. I have one of his early pieces that was built in the 1970's.
I bought it in 1981. I would not sell or trade it for any other makers work. Herschel's work has a feel all of its own. They all fit like an old friend.
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Hi Bruce,
I wish you the best of luck in finding a House gun but should that prove impossible or impractical, consider other great makers. I believe that Jim Kibler's guns will eventually carry the same prestige, value, and appeal as any House gun ever made. I totally get your long-term desire for an HH gun and maybe a call to him might open a door but if you are at a brick wall, take a look at Jim's work. I make a pretty fair gun and I am not a bad artist, and in my opinion, Jim is the most artistic gunmaker working today, and unlike some others, his artistry focuses on the creativity in making a good workingman's gun. It is honest and unpretentious. He is a very great maker.
dave
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Bruce, I contacted a friend who collects Herschel's work. He knows of a rifle for sale that was on the cover of Field and Stream magazine years ago. He says it is a very nice rifle. As for pricing he says a plain H.H. probably would be $4,500.00 or so. A nice embellished piece around $6,500.00. With lots of pieces in-between these prices. If you would like to speak to him, drop me an e-mail and I'll give you his info. This info. will be for the guy who collects House's work, not for the guy with the gun for sale.
Hope This Helps.
Bob
E-Mail gwomel@aol.com
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I know how you feel when it comes to the passion to own a Hershel House gun; been there myself. I've tried for years to get he or Frank to build a gun for me, to no avail. You may want to consider trying to contact their younger brother John, he makes an honest rifle and you can see a lot of Hershel and Frank's influence in his work. Just a suggestion!!
Another angle is to contact Judson Brennan or even Allen Martin for a build.
Good luck man!!
Bart
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I am not as well known but I do work in the WOODBURY SCHOOL and have studied under H.H..
Check my web site eitnierrifles.com
I am not and NEVER WILL BE H.H. butt he taught me a lot.
THANKS FOR LOOKING!
Jerry Eitnier
Eitnier Rifles
Iron Mounted Southern Guns
765-798-3525
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I have a nice 50 Cal. relic gun on the CLA web site at this time.
THANKS FOR LOOKING
Eitnier Rifles
Iron Mounted Southern Guns
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If you want something bad enough... Throw a BIG $ number out there that your willing to spend and you might find out there is a whole bunch for sale.... But Dave's right there are some
fine builders out there that if you wait to long you will not get on their list either....
Good luck
Dave
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It would be something on my "get list" as well. Love iron mounted guns and by no means opposed to considering another high end maker someday,........but I did make it to the CLA show and got to see at least one of his rifles in person, impressive piece if you like that look. I'm a newcomer to this circle, irony is I grew up within 12-15 miles of him and never heard his name that I know of until I started down this road of interest a few years back................who knew.
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Hey Bnail - what you really need to do is to get out to some shows, something large like the CLA show or the Gunmaker's Fair. There's always all kinds of scary talk about how much this or that will go for, very daunting with dancing dollar figures that always seem inconceivable. Then you go to a show and talk to a seller in person. I've seen HH rifles for sale that I thought were very reasonably priced, great pieces with heart that were definitely not plain Janes either.
I also think that once you get to a show where there may be a number of other guys working in the same style, like Jerry who posted above, I think you may end up going home with a completely different girlfriend! If this bad analogy makes sense...
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Thanks Eric, i think you're spot on with your analogy. appreciate the advice too. I know there's boat loads of great builders out there, and I need to get out and meet some of 'em. is there a place where the various shows are listed? I've only ever heard of Dixon's and Friendship and I just recently heard about the CLA show.
Said I wouldn't join anything else, but I'm joining the CLA; I need to educate myself!
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The CLA Show to me is the ultimate show dedicated to muzzle loading guns,I have never been to Dixon's but have heard it's good. Friendship is fun but looks more like a county fair junk swap with a trashy flea market on the property just East of the range property.
Bob Roller
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thanks Bob. appreciate the insight. putting CLA on my calendar.
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THANKS!
Eric
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Chuck Edwards has a rifle on his site...
http://chuckedwardsflintlocks.blogspot.com/
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Bnail,
I think you might be very happy with that Chuck Edwards gun!!
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A lot of "other" gunmakers have been mentioned, but, Herschel is the only one building
Herschel guns. Nothing wrong with those others, but they are not the right one. No
one else has the right to put "H. House" on the barrel. It's difficult to describe what he
does to his guns, but, they are unique. There are several collectors that have several
H. House guns, Dave Milem and the late Randall Mills have some.....no idea of how
many. Crazy thing, but when Herschel is gone, I hate to think of what they might sell
for. It's fun when he shows up at a show and you put out your hand to greet him, his
comment is always....."Mr. Don"............Don
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I don't know anyone who wouldn't want a HH gun. They do come around but are scooped up before you can get to the phone. Another guy,who's stuff I really like is Ian Pratt. He's an iron man also. Builds 'em right!
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I ran into a guy who won this John House rifle after investing a buck for a raffle ticket. I told him a ball park figure of what is was worth, he didn't have a clue and was amazed that his dollar investment was probably worth several thousand.
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Eric, Can you site an example of what a John House has sold for? Just curious.
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I have no precise idea what so ever and told the guy several thousand and that was a guess.
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Mike Davis in Coldwater Ms does a real nice Woodbury style rifle. He's been to the seminars .
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Yes Mike Apprentised under Herschel and is well read on anything herschel produced. mike has a rifle on the CLA blog. I have two of mikes rifles.
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The CONTEMPORARY MAKERS blog is not a part of the Contemporary Longrifle Association.
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I want a Hershel House gun too....along with a P-51 Mustang, a horse like Trigger and my lovely wife to just put her glasses in one place so she don't lose 'em every time she walks toward the door to leave.
I could also use a dessert that is about the size of a football, tastes like a donut and has no sugar, calories or fat.
So I'll settle for his video, The Foxfire book, and the use of his example as a standard and goal whenever I make anything.
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owning one of Herschel's guns has long been tops on my list, but I've never made any serious attempts at trying to find one 'till now.
anyone know if he's still taking orders, or who's working in the Woodbury school?
I just got home from the Front Royal show and saw the perfect gun for you. Its a un-fired Woodbury School rifle made at Conor Prairie in 1995. It still has the fake wooden flint in the lock and the frizzen is un-marked. Here's the good part. The rifle had many well known makers involved in building the rifle. Herschel House, Jim Chambers, John Schippers John Weston, Mike Lee, Don Getz and others that he named after I ran out of room to write on the little scrap of paper I had to write on. Really a nice looking rifle Ron Sigler had it for sale on his table. There is a copy of the Sept 1995 Muzzle Blast magazine that has a write-up on the building of this rifle. And for good measure the signatures of all who helped with the building of the rifle are on the article about the building of the gun. The magazine goes with the rifle.
If interested send me a PM or email and I will give you Ron Sigler's contact number.
Dennis