Author Topic: James V. L. Kiser of Virginia (Read 9308 times)

Whitedog · « **on:** August 01, 2015, 06:09:16 PM »

Has anybody any information of a Virginia rifle maker named James V. L. Kiser?

A rifle made by him is on Gunbroker now with about 5 hours to go. It looks like a fine rifle. Can't figure out why it's going for so little right now.
No, I've nothing to do with the rifle. Just noticed it yesterday.

Fred

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=497260600

T*O*F · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2015, 06:19:20 PM »

Quote

Can't figure out why it's going for so little right now

Bidding early unnecessarily drives the price up. Most wait until the last minutes of the auction for a desirable gun and then put in their max bid. Usually it's a fool's folly to bid early.

Whitedog · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2015, 06:32:19 PM »

Yes, True. It'll be interesting to see what it finally goes for.
Has anyone any ideas about when it was made? I don't believe that the seller knows much about the subject of such rifles.

Avlrc · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2015, 06:52:55 PM »

Signature looks pretty fresh, so does the barrel. Like the patchbox though.

Buck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2015, 07:32:12 PM »

There's an A. Kiser not located and a Peter Kiser (PA) in Sellers. I agree with Avlrc, the whole gun looks suspect.
Buck

JTR · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2015, 07:35:39 PM »

Personally, I think there's lots of added enhancements there.

John

Buck · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2015, 07:41:59 PM »

John, look at picture of the carving (view looking up from the bottom). Those edges are pretty sharp/clean. The carving doesn't speak Virginia, looks like Beyer style carving. The engraving on the trigger guard, Fordney inspired?
Buck

debnal · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2015, 07:47:46 PM »

Jim Kiser is alive and well and lives in Virginia. That my explain the "Freshness" of the signature.
Al

Buck · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2015, 07:51:11 PM »

debnal,
He's doing pretty good for 250 years old!
Buck

debnal · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2015, 08:08:06 PM »

I emailed the seller at the beginning of the auction and told him what he had. He has not annotated the description. Plus it is an "as is" auction, so a strong "Buyer Beware."
Al

valongrifles · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2015, 09:58:19 PM »

Talked with him recently. KRMember for 50 yrs. I cannot verify if gun was made by same. Just now saw the posting. Would have called him if I knew.

valongrifles · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2015, 10:11:45 PM »

Just talked to Jim Kiser. The gun was made by same 'bout 50 years ago. Real good looking gun and fairly priced. He was aware of posting on GB.

debnal · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2015, 10:58:58 PM »

It's pretty sad, the seller implies it is an antique. $#*!, he doesn't imply, he states that he thinks it was made in the early 1800s. Plus he has it listed in the antique category. And, he was informed that it was a modern gun. All that plus a no return policy makes this one particularly distasteful to me.
Al
I wonder if the guy buying it thinks it an old original.

Whitedog · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2015, 12:59:34 AM »

The end of the barrel looked suspect to me as well as the Redness of the patina on the breech of the barrel. Browning solution mixed with a bit of bluing solution I think.

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2015, 01:40:44 AM »

Mr Kiser does some nice carving and work. Nice to see it getting appreciated years later.

Bart · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2015, 01:50:01 AM »

I know Jim Kiser well. He was an eye doctor for years and now he's into making some fine pottery. He lives a couple of miles down the road from me.

Bart · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2015, 02:01:11 AM »

Its too @!*% bad I couldn't have contacted the buyer before he bought it!

Molly · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2015, 04:59:47 PM »

Even I had doubts about it. But people are funny. The thought of getting an original gun at such a price seems to overshadow better judgement. After all, there was a seller agent claim that it was made 17/1800's. And some parts did look "old". But the crisp signature could not be ignored. This is a great example of the common rip off made easy by a buyer who is eager to own an original rifle and a seller or seller's agent who is willing to let people be the judge and happy to see them make an error. So who can one "blame"? Neither party can escape some responsibility but personally I feel the bigger sin was committed by the seller/agent. I guess it's all a part of why I think I'll stick to known replicas.

4th La. · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2015, 02:45:17 AM »

Remember the saying, " A FOOL AND HIS MONEY, ARE SOON PARTED" !

4th. La.

Hurricane ( of Virginia) · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2015, 11:22:54 PM »

Another point of view:
This rifle has signicant artistic merit. It is now 50 years old. Would any contemporary maker with similar skills produce a similar gun for $3000.00? Knowing little of contemporary gunmaking and current prices for such a gun commissioned, I would guess any of the highly recognized and awarded makers would ask considerably more to make it! If true, then a good buy (

) if the purchaser knew what he was buying.
Hurricane

Hurricane ( of Virginia) · « **Reply #20 on:** August 09, 2015, 05:07:39 AM »

The guys in "building" blew me away. Lessons learned.
Hurricane

debnal · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2015, 05:02:34 PM »

The rifle is now back up on gunbroker and it is described more accurately. It looks like the buyer may have bought it as an original and sent it back.
Al

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Author Topic: James V. L. Kiser of Virginia (Read 9308 times)

Whitedog

Whitedog

Whitedog

4th La.