Homer Dangler rifle Auction Is Over

[Bigmon]

Friends,
There is a local auction here Friday that says there is a Homer Dangler longrifle to be sold.
Is there anywhere I can go on-line to see some of his work so I can compare at the sale?
There are a few photos on the site and it looks like a great pc of wood, but really can't see well enough to check out the quality of the work?
Thanks

[WadePatton]

You said "local!"  

Go and go early for BEST viewing opportunity.

I'd drive 100 miles to see most any notable contemporaries work at auction.  Even without proper bidding monies.  You don't let it sell TOO cheap!  

[oldtravler61]

Mr. Dangler is a well respected gun maker. His longrifles are well done works of art. You would do well to acquire the rifle. Besides all that. He's a check of a nice guy too!

[Ky-Flinter]

You may view some of Mr. Dangler's work on his website.  http://homerdangler.com/

Or just Google "Homer Dangler".

-Ron

[Bigmon]

Thanks for the responses friends.
I went back to that auctioneers web site and read again, and looked at the pics.
It says the "Kentucky Longrifle" is marked H.L. Dangler.
As I said the wood looks really good but it is hard to see the actual work, other than it appears highly carved with a standing lion in the area behind the cheek pc.
Cant tell the barrel size or caliber but it looks like it might be a little clubby.
It also looks like who ever owned it used it.  The RR has a long cleaning jag sticking way out past the muzzle like is often the case at shoots, etc.
Also the brass is sort of dull, has a good used look.
The sights appear to be pretty high again often is the case with target shooters.
Its only about five miles from my home and at a small little auctioneer.
I couldnt guess how it got there.
But I have an idea what good custom LR's are worth.  I'm going to go see if I can afford it, if it looks like the real thing in person.
I looked on Dangler's web site and saw nothing with that carved lion.
Thanks again

[dave gross]

In an old VHS tape of Mr. Dangler building one of his longrifles, he comments while engraving his name on the top barrel flat. that he always marked rifles that he worked to completion including carving and final finish, with his full name "Homer Dangler".  Rifles that were for sold "in the white"
for customers to finish were inscribed "H. L. Dangler".  For what it's worth.


Dave Gross

[WadePatton]

now that is good informations. 

If the bore is good and you like the gun, get jiggy with it. But my money wouldn't try "flippin' it".  Your money may be different.   

(and that's a good thing) 

I'd bet $10 that Jim Klien built the gun.

In an old VHS tape of Mr. Dangler building one of his longrifles, he comments while engraving his name on the top barrel flat. that he always marked rifles that he worked to completion including carving and final finish, with his full name "Homer Dangler".  Rifles that were for sold "in the white"
for customers to finish were inscribed "H. L. Dangler".  For what it's worth.


Dave Gross

[JCKelly]

About 1968 when I shot with Westmoreland Rifles we heard of some Mythical gunmaker named Dangler, way out Michigan way. His guns were far superior to anything we thought of making.
Runs in my mind that Homer had, or had access to, an original JP beck. Maybe that's where that lion came from

[oldtravler61]

Mr. Dangler  is a well respected builder in Michigan.  He's been doing the gun building as far as I know since the sixtys. Probably sooner, just going by when I first met him. As far as I know he's still active as you can be at 90 something . Talked to him at last year's CLA  show. Very quiet polite gentlemen. Also if not mistaken. J.Klein was mentored by Homer. Not 100 percent sure but he does sell his stains an such.

[Bigmon]

Mr Kelly,
So you used to shoot at Old Westmoreland?
I've shot there of and on for years, not much lately.  Though I have got back into some building, though far from "top shelf".  Look more like the old originals, not too fancy but they shoot good.
Sorry but I don't remember yer name.  Must have been before I started some 25 or so years back?
Take care from Old Westmoreland area

[galudwig]

In an old VHS tape of Mr. Dangler building one of his longrifles, he comments while engraving his name on the top barrel flat. that he always marked rifles that he worked to completion including carving and final finish, with his full name "Homer Dangler".  Rifles that were for sold "in the white"
for customers to finish were inscribed "H. L. Dangler".  For what it's worth.


Dave Gross

That's not entirely accurate, at least in recent years.  I commissioned a J.P. Beck styled rifle from Homer which he delivered to me fully finished at Friendship in June, 2012.  It is signed on the top barrel flat "H + L + Dangler"

If you look in his photo gallery on the website, top row, second from right there is a picture of his signature on an obviously finished rifle.  The signature on my rifle is similar, but without a date.

There is also a picture of a "lion carved" Beck on his website.  It's kind of buried in the showcase.  Here's the link:

http://homerdangler.com/category/showcase/page/11/

He said he reproduced it 4 times, so you may be looking at one of them.

[JCKelly]

Bigmon - I left Western Pennsylvania early 1971. Phil Cravener was a friend of mine.
I will always be an ex-Pat Pennsylvanian.

[Bigmon]

Sir,
It does not surprise me that the first person you name is the friend to all, Phil Cravener.
He was simply one of the nicest people one could ever know, and the heart and soul of Old Westmoreland.
It was a sad sad day when I learned of his passing.  At least it was at his beloved Old Westmoreland Rondyvous.  He was only 74.
There were many a blurred eye at the memorial that was held at Bushy Run Battlefield.
I and many others cherrished our time with "The Colonel"

Best wishes to you and yours,
May we all meet another man like Phil Cravener.
Brad

[Bigmon]

Thanks again friends.
I checked out that link that "Galudwig" gave.
The lion is very similiar but there is no double headed eagle, or any inlay on the cheek pc.
The figure in the gun at the auction appears far more figured but I wont know until I get there this evening?

I left an e-mail on Mr Danglers web site yesterday and he replied this morning.
He didnt comment on the specific rifle but did describe the way he identifies his guns.
H+G+ Dangler is a gun he builds thru completion.
H+G+D is a gun in the white.
And nothing on a kit.

Seems like a great guy and still very active.
Regards to all, wish me luck

[oldtravler61]

Looks like $10 bucks to several people Mike!

[oldtravler61]

Will see Jim tomorrow will ask him. Personally. That good enough!

[oldtravler61]

Yeah ok. Bad thing is. What if he doesn't remember yeah! We are all getting older.

[Dave Marsh]

I sorta think meeting Mr. Brooks would be an unforgettable event.

Dave

[oldtravler61]

Ok I'll bite. Good or bad. Lol

[B Staley]

I have a Kline rifle I bought about 25 years ago.

[Dave Marsh]

Ok I'll bite. Good or bad. Lol

I would use words like interesting and informative.  May even be like meeting "The Donald" which would cover outspoken.  Humor and good laughs.   Sounds on the good side to me.

Dave   

[thimble rig]

Yeah that would be cool to meet Mr brooks.He reminds me of my dad.He says it like it is.You don't like like what he says to bad.There should be more people like that in this world.It would be a better place.

[oldtravler61]

Just got home from the Kalamazoo Show. Jim Klien was not there. He was attending a funeral. Did enjoy a very good conversation with his wife. Very nice lady. Jim apprenticed under Homer for quite sometime( like I posted earlier) When Jim an Homer worked together on a rifle while learning . Jim would put his initial jk on it then Homer would finish it an sign it. So if you find a Dangler rifle look for the jk. An you will know if they built it together. Similar I believe like they might have done years ago. This is what she told me. Having Homer as a mentor, Jim was a lucky man. Maybe that is one of the reasons he builds such nice firearms. They are very nice gentlemen. Anyway had a great time. Also to T.C. Thanks for taking time to talk an meet. Learned a lot.  Oldtravler

[t.caster]

oldtraveler, I was a pleasure to meet you and exchange stories and info!
The huge Kalamazoo Living History show is always a learning experience for me and well worth the travel for anyone in the midwest. Even if you don't buy anything (ya, right) you will get a lot of ideas for future projects, and the raw materials for those projects are there in abundance.
Tom C

[galudwig]

Friends,
There is a local auction here Friday that says there is a Homer Dangler longrifle to be sold.
Is there anywhere I can go on-line to see some of his work so I can compare at the sale?
There are a few photos on the site and it looks like a great pc of wood, but really can't see well enough to check out the quality of the work?
Thanks

So, did you go to the auction?