Author Topic: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction  (Read 955 times)

Offline altankhan

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Members of this forum may be interested in viewing the online catalog of one of the most representative collections of Tuscarawas/Holmes county Ohio 19th century rifles ever assembled.  The collector. The late AOLRC member, Les Kaser, for years curated a "Swiss" heritage museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio which included a recreated 19th century gunshop display of local tools and a few rifles.  The link includes images of of over 50 rifles by George and Levi Biddle, Adam Stilgenbauer, James and Nimrod Teaff, Valentine Shuler, Jessie Middaugh, etc. from the two counties plus other areas of eastern Ohio. July 30-31, 2024.

Link: https://www.kaufman-auctions.com/auctions/3138-les-kaser-collection-early-muzzleloaders-guns-knives-accessories
« Last Edit: July 09, 2024, 05:54:21 PM by altankhan »

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2024, 09:40:53 PM »
The Biddles  brought some pretty high prices. The top one brought $12,000 and I think there was another one around 8000. They like their Ohio rifles.
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2024, 09:41:39 PM »
One Rifle via maker I am not familiar with brought $28,000.
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Tanselman

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Re: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2024, 10:45:46 PM »
That 28.5 plus premium rifle was a rather unpretentious half-stock by Reuben Yutzy... might not be the exact spelling but close. I watched a part of the auction after I saw how strong the prices were. I was amazed an auction with so many similar items, i.e. Levi Biddle rifles, could keep the prices up so well. A couple were outstanding rifles, but even the more standard ones brought good money. Just goes to show that mid-century rifles auctioned near where they were made, where a lot of people know and admire them, pull better money that if sold farther away. I bet there were a lot of locals bidding on the auction floor for that auction. I chased one item for a few bids, but I gave up when it ran WAY past what I thought it would sell at. I was flabbergasted watching the Yutzy climb so high, when it didn't seem like an exceptional rifle either in quality or maker to me. Possibly two descendants fighting over an old family heirloom.... or what was I missing there?

Shelby Gallien   
« Last Edit: August 01, 2024, 05:21:28 AM by Tanselman »

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2024, 01:43:30 AM »
That’s what I assumed as well. Family after the heirloom. I noted the same bidder number was after many of them. Now to find a Yutzy lol
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Avlrc

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Re: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2024, 02:27:07 AM »
I watched most of that auction and was pleasantly surprised at the prices. It's nice to see locals interested in their local history and willing to pay to have a piece of it. 

Offline altankhan

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Re: Levi Biddle and other regional Ohio longrifles in upcoming auction
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2024, 04:04:34 AM »
The auction was an intense, well-attended and lively scene, complete with a food truck.  Lots of lookers and bidders from all around, and many knowledgeable collectors and dealers who know the local and regional markets well, as well as other locals and visitors with interest.  It was a fantastic assemblage of mostly local materials, made by a passionate collector with deep knowledge.  It was really nice to see so many rifles by a few fine makers in one setting -- 14 Levi Biddles in one place .... one dated 1890. I just hope some of the items will resurface for us to see at the AOLRC display/ buy/sell show in Marietta this coming spring, and at events thereafter.  It is nice to see such fine rifles up close and "in person."   (The excellent photos are still online under "results":


https://www.kaufman-auctions.com/auctions/3138-les-kaser-collection-early-muzzleloaders-guns-knives-accessories