Dickert on Antiques Roadshow

[JW]

This is an old link, and I apologize if it has been shared before, but I just saw this today. This gentleman clearly valued this rifle (he paid more than $10K for it) but he seems like he didn't truly know what he had. What a fantastic rifle. I would have sold my truck for the price he paid for this.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/season/5/sacramento-ca/appraisals/jacob-dickert-pennsylvania-rifle--200005A26

[Big Wolf]

Not sure that it's worth now what it was appraised for when the show originally aired, but that is one fine rifle!

[vtbuck223]

I have seen that before...but it was worth seeing again. He didn't say when he purchased it for "more than" 10k. The appraisal was done back in 2000....so who knows...it could have been many years before that when he bought it.  It's possible that 10k was full retail at the time he picked it up. Back in the 80's you could buy a pretty nice truck for 10k....the same truck today will cost you around 40k+....which is the current value of the rifle according to road show. The swing in the market from 2000 is pretty stunning though. I guess these are just the ups and downs of antiques and collectibles. Wall Street might refer to is as a "market correction".

[Breadhead]

I still pull out the auction book from time to time for William Guthman's collection.  Wow, he had an eye, and was a pleasure to talk to.

[Willbarq]

 
Does anyone know what happened to this rifle?  This one needs documented sorely! I wish I knew the details and lots of still pictures!
https://www.pbs.org/video/antiques-roadshow-appraisal-jacob-dickert-pennsylvania-rifle/

[Molly]

Right! Aguy drops 10 grand plus on an old gun and does not know anything about it! I smell a rat.

[mr. no gold]

Good hunch Molly. A dealer friend on the West Coast knew of the rifle and he told me that the event was basically scripted. The fellow who had the Dickert was a central CA collector of mainly Colts, but he had this KY.. My friend said that the rifle, which had been somewhat restored, was nominated to be highlighted on the Show. Who and what gets on the show can be highly political and that seems to be the case here. The big dollar items are the ones that are heavily promoted and this was no exception. A little surprised that Bill went along with it but he was a bit of a showman and he liked appearing on the show. I have not seen the rifle and I do not know where it is although Stan probably does. I must ask him.
Dick

[Willbarq]

 The guy had some inkling. I see this episode originally aired in 2000. The gun might have changed hands several times already.. This one needs documented if not already happened.

[Eric Krewson]

There was a segment years ago about an Armstrong rifle that was still in the descendants ownership, had been well taken care of and was pristine for it's age. It was a one of a kind rifle.

I think it was appraised at 6 figures but can't remember.

[JV Puleo]

You may be thinking of the Welcome Mathewson rifle that still belongs to his direct decedent who actually lives across the street from the site of Mathewson's home and shop. They also have his decorated powder horn, his day book and his fowler (which, interestingly, is a Philip Bond, London gun). I forget what Bill appraised it at but, at the time, it was at least 5 times what any NE rifle had ever brought and set off a frenzy of speculation and raised prices.

I've seen and handled the rifle. It is very nice and I am sure it is worth a premium given the association with the maker but I have my reservations about how many people are prepared to pay mid-5 figures for any NE rifle. Bill was extremely good at selling nice guns to wealthy non-gun collectors, folks who were accustomed to paying big prices for furniture, paintings, silver etc and to whom his prices seemed almost inconsequential.

[BradBrownBess]

The patina on that guy in stunning. Sad to see so many gun cleaned and polished - even if that was done 50 - 100 years ago, never can get that look back again.  I have a few ex Guthman pieces - he had great taste. Would not be surprised to see the gun make 35 - 50 at a right auction where 2 people want it bad enough. Wish I could see it in person.

[mr. no gold]

Brad, this may surprise you, but there are restorers who can replace the patina appearance to a very acceptable level. I have a few that have been 'restored' and I doubt that the casual observer would detect it. I will name the four that have that skill; JTR who is well known on this forum; Louie Parker, Jack Brooks and Brian LaMaster. I am sure there are others out there who have that skill, but for the moment they are unknown to me. It helps to have an unmolested original to use as a standard by the way. I have a Bonewitz that has great wear patterns and that is what we used.
Dick 

[BradBrownBess]

Thanks for the list of restorers with those skills. Getting aged patina on wood is truly an art. Metal is much more forgiving but to be able to really age finish and blend repair work on a stock is a hard earned gift.

[smokinbuck]

Going back to the "appraised" value. I seem to remember a number of years ago a handgun was under appraised by a big number of dollars. The appraiser bought the gun for the low number and had a buyer waiting with a more correct value. The appraiser was banned from the show and may have faced legal issues.