"Bo - Whoop" Has Sold

[Dean Romig]

$175,000 Hammer Price

[Bruce Day]

+ 15% = $201,250

and quite a few bidders on the gun.

How can this be Dean? Wasn't this this gun that experts here were downplaying and saying it wouldn't bring much? Maybe they were the same experts who were predicting the $287,000 Czar gun might bring $75,000.

I understand there was much play on the gun among the Fox collectors and Buckingham enthusiasts.

[Bill Murphy]

Yeah, we Sterlingworth guys were giving it a good run. I lost out at the last minute. I hear that our friend Dave N. dropped out at 165.

[Dave Suponski]

My only guesstimate was that it would not bring the "Czars Gun" money so I win that bet....:) Congratulations to whomever triumphed.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Had the gun been a bit more "right" I think it could have easily beaten out the Czar's Gun by a long way. There were too many questions and I think that held down the money.

DLH

[Bruce Day]

Julia's pre auction catalog estimate was $100,000 to $200,000, so the gavel price was close to the maximum estimate. Both the Czar Parker and the Buckingham Fox were disclosed to have replaced stocks.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

This is the most famous shotgun in America, the fame of the Czar's Parker wasn't a pimple on the back end of Bo-Whoop. The Czar's Gun was never owned or touched by the Czar, Bo-Whoop is a gun that was shot and used by the most beloved American sporting writer that ever lived. I'd say the difference is pretty vast.

I doubt it was the ugly restock that turned off the potential bidders. It was that weird basement done stamping on the tubes, questions of ownership, authenticity, and provenance.

[Bill Murphy]

I always suspected that my AHE Trap has a replaced stock. Now I'm going to try to get documentation for the "Replaced Stock".

[Terry Schraner]

it may have brought more with the broken stock- who's going to shoot it!

[Bruce Day]

........ Bo-Whoop is a gun that was shot and used by the most beloved American sporting writer that ever lived.........



A little subjectivity there perhaps? Famous to be sure and loved by many, but "most beloved American sporting writer"? Others might differ, or don't their opinions matter?

[Destry L. Hoffard]

The grouse guys would say I'm wrong of course, but eastern grouse hunters are a small fraternity. Waterfowling is nationwide, worldwide even, he's more well known by far than any vintage sporting writer then US ever produced. Give me one you think might be more beloved and more well known. Name a gun that you think is more famous, that more people have heard of. I'm interested in the opinions everybody, even the ones of wanna be cowboys from California.


DLH

[Dean Romig]

I'm not taking sides Destry but I think you're close. However, the upland bird shooting fraternity is a lot bigger than you think, but I don't think we could produce a more revered or beloved writer/hero than Nash Buckingham but certainly on equal ground would be Sheldon, Spiller, Evans, Grinell, Ford, and probably a few more I haven't named but it doesn't make any sense to me to play "My Shooting Icon Can Beat Up Your Shooting Icon".

:cheers:

[Dave Tercek]

Destry, I am PA grouse hunter. I've never shot at a goose or duck in my life.
I have all of GBE's ,Spiller's, Foster's,....books. But I have to agree with you. I don't think any of there books compare to Nash Buckingham's writing. Even though I never hunted water foul, I feel like I have. Nash and Bo-woop have ment alot to me.
Dave

[Gregory Miller]

I would guess that more people know of TR's "Big Medicine" Winchester than of Bo Whoop, which had been all but forgotten outside of Fox circles.

And, if you went to your local gun show and asked a hundred people what was more valuable, Nash's BoWhoop or Colt Peacemaker No 1, I would guess most would take the original prototype for the Peacemaker, which I had in my possession for a very brief while when it was being auctioned by Christies back in the 1980s.

And, then there is the modified Winchester lever action that John Wayne used to swing around to load in the movies. An awful lot of people would recognize and want that gun.

Bo Whoop is an important part of Americana, but it seems to me most likely that a couple of addicted Fox owners fulfilled a dream by buying it at any price. May the Buyer enjoy it in good health. Should be good for the Fox Collectors to have the "legitimacy" of a Fox selling for real money.

[Bruce Day]

I liked Corey Ford and the Lower Forty. He struck a responsive chord with me that Nash Buckingham never did. But then I am not a southerner, growing up as I did in Nebraska, the Dakotas and the central coast ranch country of California, and I can understand that if one grew up in the south and was primarily a waterfowler, then Buckingham would be the end-all. The dialect was difficult for me and the southern caste system of the era was strange.

But that is one man's opinion. My point is that everybody has their own opinions about what they like in authors.

And I'm happy for the Fox collectors. Great guns and I'm happy to hear that the long lost iconic Fox gun is out and can be shown to those who have long awaited its emergence. We had a nice Fox that we showed around at Pheasant Fest when we did that seminar of using American doubles for upland game hunting, along with Smiths, Winchesters and others. Maybe some day we can put together a classic American doubles competition instead of just Parkers and Smiths. Wouldn't that be fun.

[Dave Suponski]

We shoot with a bunch of Fox guys at Addieville and Hidden Hollow every year.Those boys can shoot too!

[Austin W Hogan]

I have just returned. I have attached my notes on the Super Fox sale. The opening bid was 50K and quickly went to 85K There were 8 bidders on the phone when the lot was called. There were 4 bidders remaining at 110 K and at least one if not two floor bidders got in around 145 K Four or perhaps 3 were still active at the end. The sale was close to gavel three times when a bidder came back in. Two twelve ga (non super) XE's followed for 4k and 6k. The Czar gun brought about 5 or 6 times its wood and iron value; this Super Fox brought less dollars but probably closer to 15 times its wood and iron value.

The AHE Parker lot 1180 opened at 15K and brought 25K; the AA lot 1181 opened at 8k and brought 19k. The 8 ga PH brought 12500; and most of the rest of the Parkers brought close to or more than the low appraisal.

The LC specialty 410 opened at 17500 and brought 32500.

Some people collect guns; some people collect marks on guns; some people collect stories about guns. When gun, marks, and stories coincide, three times as many collectors want the gun.

Best, Austin

[Dean Romig]

That picture Austin, with your notes will be a coveted piece of Americana one day.

Thanks for the update.

[Dave Suponski]

Got that right Dean...In fact I think it's a coveted piece of Americana right now...:)

[Dean Romig]

I've gotta say though, I don't quite understand the 501C notation :shock:

[Jared Valeski]

I Think it's 50K which was the starting bid.
JJV

[Dave Suponski]

Dean...8 bidders at 50K

[Dean Romig]

....oh

[Francis Morin]

[QUOTE=Bruce Day;15107]A little subjectivity there perhaps? Famous to be sure and loved by many, but "most beloved American sporting writer"? Others might differ, or don't their opinions matter?[- Three great stories that will always moisten my eyes- Corey Ford's "The Road To Tinkhamtown", Nash Buckingham's "Play House" and Havilah Babcock's "Two Strangers"-- Just as with our beloved side-by-sides, we all have our favorites and none of us are wrong in our choices!!:bowdown:

[David Hamilton]

Destry, Your Falstaff quote is amusing but we all know that you are a better man! David

[C Roger Giles]

David;

That remark said,just how well do you know Destry?

Roger

[Bill Murphy]

The 170413 note was obviously Austin's absolute final bid. By the way, Mr. Buckingham was much better known in the sporting press of his day as a pointing dog judge than a waterfowler. Even in his published works that we devour for the waterfowling stories, the bird hunting stories are just as entertaining. If you think his duck hunting books are expensive, try to buy his "National Field Trial Champions".

[Dean Romig]

Cheapest I find is $55 and the most expensive is $115 but none are in "fine" condition.
Is that the 1955 Stackpole edition Bill?

[bob weeman]

I was also there at the auction and would have liked to have seen the original cracked and re-paired Bo Whoop stock on the gun instead of the shiny new stock. It was pretty rabid bidding for a minute or two. I thought it was going to close after about 30 seconds of bidding at 85,000 but they kept uping the bid just before the hammer fell. They really pushed the bidding through very quickly. Austin, did you happen to pick up and examine the 8 bore? That was really a handfull! I would love to shoot it. Once anyway. There were some other really nice Fox's and Parkers there. My favorite of the Parkers had to be 1182 the 30 inch 20 guage. The 32 inch 20 was also a fovorite. Wish I could find a long barreled 20 I could afford! It was a great day getting to handle all those fine guns......

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, I don't know about the editions. I don't own any of them. A friend bought one for about five bucks in a used book store across the street from the gun store where I worked for a while. He came into the store one morning and waved it at me. It was a copy owned by a charter member of the National Capital Field Trial Club, a dog club that held trials at my gun club. In the book was a hand written note to the BOD of my club discussing "What we should do with the Ostaus paintings?". I don't know, it could have been "What should we do with the Osthaus prints?". I remember the framed Osthaus pictures in the attic of the club when I was a preteenager. Whatever, my friend reads this forum and will probably post about the book and about the "Osthaus note". When the Osthaus pictures were no longer in our attic, I never thought to ask what happened to them. They were probably trashed by the cleaning crew. Even as a twelve year old, I knew they were something to be treasured.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Gregory,

I completely agree with your comments about Colts and Winchesters, particularly ones with western provenance. I'm strickly talking American made shotguns here.

David,

Thanks for your kind words. Unfortunately Roger is right, you just don't know me very well, I'm horrible.

All,

I've read all the American sporting writers for the most part, and I at least "like" most of their work. Sheldon is a big favorite, right along with Ruark, and one that nobody has mentioned but is very high on my list MacQuarrie. Buckingham's work is about 50% upland stuff but most folks tend to forget that for some reason. And Sheldon wrote what is probably my favorite waterfowling story really, though he's more considered an upland writer. Different strokes for different folks, for me it's the cold wind of winter and the call of the geese. for others the falling leaves of autumn and the shock of the flush.

I wonder if we'll see this gun laying alongside BoWhoop #2 at the DU Headquarters in Memphis one day soon.


Destry

[Robert Delk]

Osthaus in the trash? I think I'm going to be ill.....

[Francis Morin]

[QUOTE=Robert Delk;15175]Osthaus in the trash? I think I'm going to be ill.....Osthaus, Tate, Rousseau and others. I bought a Osthaus print of Sports Peerless Pride from a used book dealer going out of business about 12 years ago, older gilt style frame. So many great writers and artists of a gentler time, now gone.

I once read, possibly GBE, about a wealthy bachelor sportsman who had a vast library of the classics we so eagerly seek today. Upon his passing his executors were ordered to burn them all to ashes, as he didn't want sharks and speculators hawking his former collection for a profit.

A former fly-fishing friend who passed now 10 years donated his cane rods and books (mainly Sparse G. Hackle and Ernie Schweibert) to the FFF museum in West yellowstone with the stipulation they may never be sold.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Bob: If i may ask, when the gavel went down what were the prices for the 30 & 32 inch 20 ga. Thomas L. Benson Sr.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I never was big on these "museum donations" really. It's essentially guys thinking that they don't want somebody having their "stuff" after they can't enjoy it anymore. Me, sell mine off and let somebody else take care of it for awhile. We never own it really.....


DLH

[Tim Sheldon]

Destry, I have to think the "museum donations" must have another angle other than the hands off my stuff angle. Maybe people use it for estate planning in a way to TRY to avoid the tax man, or so not to pay him as much, you know after you're dead. Just thinking.

Tim

[Austin W Hogan]

The PH 8 ga opened at $5000 and went for $12500. The 40 inch barrels were like water pipe. The barrel finish was very nice, with just enough dings and stains to be real, although the frame screws and stock showed evidence that the gun enjoyed a lot of trips to the blind.
The note on the bid log 170 4/3 indicates another bidder saved the gun from the gavel; I could see three active phone bidders at the time but the bid came either from the floor or another phone bidder in the office at the back of the gallery.

Best, Austin

[Bill Murphy]

Austin, when you say "water pipe", do you mean that the inside was severely pitted but the outside was somehow redone or restored? This is the second lower grade Parker eight that was sold for very serious prices recently. Can we assume that these guns are just about all locked up in collections or are some still out there. I need more big guns. Mine are wearing out from excess use.

[Austin W Hogan]

Bill; The barrel was thick like water pipe; 3/32 or 1/8 inch at the muzzle. It was one of the nicest looking PT barrels I have seen.

Best, Austin

[George Lander]

Destry: If you really think that the restock of BW was "ugly" I suggest a trip to your opthomologist.

Best Regards, George

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Sorry George, but I didn't care for it, I didn't care for very much about the whole gun actually. It had that distinct odor of bull*hit about it that would be hard to dispel no matter how much money it sold for.

DLH

[George Lander]

Destry: You gotta believe in something, sometime. As to BW when you take it all in context I believe that the "thumbs up" folks will be more than the "thumbs down". I hope that one day we will learn the history of the gun back to the day lost. That would be interesting!

Best Regards, George

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I hope someday the real gun is found.

DLH

[Dave Suponski]

Obviously the high bidder thinks it's real.....:)

[Chuck Heald]

My thoughts on the donations to museums is that some honestly believe (rightly or wrongly) that what they have is unique and should be well kept for generations to come. Besides, most funeral sales don't yield anywhere near market values for the widow. There are two potentially historically significant WW2 era guns in my brother-in-law's posession since his father passed, that I recommended he either sell to a museum that has offered to purchase or donate them or put them on "loan". But to keep them under a bed for a pachuko pete to steal and rob liquor stores with would be insane. So far, no movement by him. They're still under the bed.

As for Bwhoop, I don't guess it matters what us nose pickers think. The guy that ends up with it probably didn't have to dig deep enough into his piggybank that it changed the way he lives.

[Bill Murphy]

Obviously, a donation at full appraised value to a museum will net some donors a hefty sum. Of course, it will be hard to value this gun at more than about 200,000 for a few years.

[Austin W Hogan]

Hope to see you Saturday, Bill. Will you and Kevin be sharing the usual table?

Best, Austin

[Tom Kidd]

This Should Please Most Everyone:

"Over 60 years ago, Nash Buckingham revered Fox XE/HE Special built by Burt Becker was lost but recently was found. This gun, with a broken stock, had been in a closet down South and its discovery was the talk of the trade.

The gun, which came to be known as "Bo-Whoop," was made legendary by its owner Nash Buckingham, a well-known sporting writer. As lot No. 1171 came on the block at Julia's on Monday, March 15, the gun estimated at $100/200,000 finally topped out at $201,250, the highlight of a firearms sale that grossed nearly $8.5 million.

The good news was not just the price. Julia's revealed that the buyer was the son of Nash Buckingham's closest friend and hunting companion. The son specifically purchased the gun for the purpose of donating it to the National Ducks Unlimited Headquarters to be displayed in memory of his father, and his father's dear friend, Nash Buckingham."
A complete reveiw will appear in a future edition.
Antiques and the Arts Editorial Content

[Dean Romig]

How fitting.

Thanks Tom, I just passed the word along to the doublegun forum and the AHFCA forum.




.

[Dave Suponski]

A perfect end to the story.Thanks for sharing that Tom.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I assume this must be Hal Howard Jr.


Destry

[George Lander]

Francis: This is a proper end to a legendary gun. No better disposition could possibly be made. Both guns, Numbers 1 & 2 will be there for all to enjoy. I believe that Nash would be proud.

Best Regards, George

[Gregory Miller]

To the Buyer, I raise my glass. Bravo Zulu.

[Kevin McCormack]

Austin, when you say "water pipe", do you mean that the inside was severely pitted but the outside was somehow redone or restored? This is the second lower grade Parker eight that was sold for very serious prices recently. Can we assume that these guns are just about all locked up in collections or are some still out there. I need more big guns. Mine are wearing out from excess use.

What do you mean you need MORE big guns? You haven't even shown us the last one you bought!!! (Good bumper sticker: "Smallbore Owners Need Love Too")

[calvin humburg]

I thinks I agree with Destry.second point there isn't a gun out there if i had the money to buy that I wouldnt shoot. And geese calling is the most bestest sound on this ol hunk of dirt. I love to blow a goose call. O destry I watched henry 5 enjoyed it. ch

[calvin humburg]

That would be right there with big ol honkers, honking Francis Sho 'Nuff!

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I like to shoot them over the water, no thump but a nice big splash.

Being from Southern Illinois, I was pretty much born with a goose call in my hand.


DLH

[Francis Morin]

[quote=Destry L. Hoffard;16047]I like to shoot them over the water, no thump but a nice big splash.

Being from Southern Illinois, I was pretty much born with a goose call in my hand.


A Jim Blakemore call from Ill. Have used it for nearly 25 years hand runnin' now. I nicknamed it "Doctor Death"--

[calvin humburg]

Water foul over water don't get much better than that. ch

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I knew Jim Blakemore slightly, he's been gone a long time unfortunately. His son would still make you up a call last I heard but I've not heard in a long time.


DLH

[C Roger Giles]

Destry;

On Easter Sunday, one of the traditional events in the days of yore was an egg hunt, did you go goose egg hunting this morning like a good little boy?

Roger

[Destry L. Hoffard]

I slept late, that was about the extent of my activities. I'd had a hard couple of days down in Mississippi prior to arriving in Southern Illinois so needed a little rack time to recover.

Destry