Do you collect other sporting items besides Parkers?

[Craig Larter]

My collectioning interests are centered around my love of duck hunting so I have a small collection of vintage decoys, vintage duck calls, a few pieces of sporting art and two piece shotgun shell boxes. How about you????

[John Dallas]

I am also a duck hunter. Have carved about 75 birds, and most of them have gone down the road to people who were anxious to buy cheap frauds. I've even had seller's remorse on several birds, and have been able to buy them back. They ain't goin' nowhere now. I still have two mallard rigs which will go to my grandson who is a hunter. I've kept about a half dozen of my better birds

[George Lang]

My love of waterfowl hunting led to collecting related items also: decoys, calls, water fowling guns, duck boats etc. That branched out to building duck boats and decoys for myself and others. I also began collecting fishing rods, reels and tackle, both fresh and saltwater, knives, bows and arrows, sporting art and anything outdoor sporting related. Much of it still surrounds me but unfortunately boxed and not displayed as much. It appears that now is the time to let it go but as we all know that is extremely hard to do. I would like it to be as appreciated as it was to me. I was never interested in high grades or pristine items just those that had a history of honest use and represented what they were intended for.

[Greg Baehman]

I've got a collection of bamboo fly rods and classic fly reels. Wildlife art prints. Wild bird, raptor and duck decoy carvings. I'm now down to just a couple wooden boats and a few pairs of Ferdy Goode snowshoes.

The internet makes it too easy to accumulate too much stuff!

[Daryl Corona]

Knives, pocket and fixed blade.

[Phil Yearout]

I don't "collect" any one thing or kind of thing, but I am certainly a Professional Accumulator :)!

[Arthur Shaffer]

I don't "collect" any one thing or kind of thing, but I am certainly a Professional Accumulator :)!

My situation exactly. I pick up about anything rare and interesting connected to any of my guns or any other "stuff". I akways thought of it as pyramid collecting.

I have found that this sort of ephemria is attractive when selling something.

[Garry L Gordon]

I’ve been collecting sporting books for much longer than I have double guns. My focus has been American upland game books, but waterfowl is included.

[CraigThompson]

Used to collect women but that’s a very very unprofitable hobby :rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Stan Hoover]

My other weakness is collecting sporting prints,

I have a hard time finding excuses to buy them for, wish I had more wall space but so it goes.

I have a few Case knives and a few other Made in USA knives.

This is starting to sound like a confession, I had better stop:eek:

[Phil Yearout]

I am the Curator of The Phil Yearout Museum of the Completely Unrelated, Mostly Forgotten and Largely Useless. :cool:

[Bill Murphy]

I stopped at an estate sale in an affluent area of Baltimore some time back. The lady of the house was throwing the leftovers in a dumpster and I asked if there was any outdoor equipment left (outdoor equipment, as in guns, ammo, or decoys). She told me everything was sold, but I could look in an outbuilding. I looked in the building and found wooden boxes full of antique decoy weights. Some of them were cut from 2 1/2" stainless steel stock, into open water weights. There were a bunch of them and way more than a bunch of lead weights. It turned out that the weights had belonged to Glenn L. Martin, aircraft tycoon, and also a serious waterfowler. There must have been hundreds of dollars worth of stainless steel in those boxes. She told me to pay her twenty dollars if I wanted those "boxes". That day, I became a decoy weight collector. Only Glenn L. Martin would use stainless steel from his factory to avoid going to a sporting good store to buy weights. Some years ago, I married a woman, The Lovely Linda, who I was to find out, had a father who carved decoys. After he passed away, I found out that he had never sold a decoy. I became a decoy collector, but only decoys carved by one person. Those are only two examples of how we get into collecting hunting related "stuff". It only gets worse with the books and the guns.

[Marty Kohler]

Interesting thread Craig……

[Ken Hill]

I collect too many items. Old African hunting books, upland game hunting books, some bird carvings, and other related BS.

https://i.imgur.com/phykx9Cm.jpg

Ken

[Reggie Bishop]

I had a nice collection of Orvis bamboo rods. I am down to only three. I had a large collection of Buck, Case & Camillus bird knives. Down to about half a dozen or so of those. Lightening my load I guess.

[todd allen]

I love vintage Colt and S&W revolvers.

[bob lyons]

I was bitten by the collecting bug way early in life
- nice collection of antique decoys
- nice collection of sporting paintings mostly illustrations some from WH Foster I posted a few on the site a few years ago
- early fishing reels
- military and early hunting knives, axes, jackknives
- old wood working tools
- old hunting and fishing magazines, hunting books
The list goes on
Now the challenge is to whittle down the pile.
The fun is in the chase similar to hunting.

[Bill Jolliff]

Winchester pump .22's: Models 1890, 1906, 62's and 61's.

[Zacharysmith]

Antique Maine Trout and Salmon mounts/carvings but the greats. Fishing creels and many old Wood/Canvas canoes.

[CraigThompson]

I think the largest amount of items in one grouping is when I was hung up on Marlin lever actions . Think I had over 125 . My biggest by item collection was steam engines when I had three for a total weight of about 38,000-40,000 pounds . I think the most dollar consuming was when I started accumulating Parker’s .

[randall rosenthal]

haha...I bet I’m the only one here with a small collection of historic and classic surfboards and snowboards. I do have a bunch of old side by sides too.

[John Bastiani]

Besides collecting guns-I have acquired several decoys(masons and individual carvers) Some Winchester store items(my favorite is a early super rare 1920's wooden childs wagon in beautiful untouched condition with store tag). A few examples of sporting art-one by Edmund Osthaus. I used to have several shotshell boxes and antique ammo but only kept a couple of favorites. I also have around 15 fishing creels from top makers like Lawrence and Macmonies. Almost forgot to mention the antique Limoge game plates and the whole set of antique Buffalo pottery game plates in my china cabinet made by Gustav Stickley in the 1920's.

[Mike Koneski]

Besides Parkers, I collect (and shoot) varmint caliber rifles, MSRs, Parker catalogs and other items with the Parker name attached, Lefever guns, fixed blade, folding and assisted opening knives… also have a lot of books from various genres, a nice baseball card collection, reloading equipment, tools, Hawaiian shirts, and last but not least, BLING!! ���� Can’t forget various forms of tunage whether on vinyl or CD. ��

[Dean Romig]

I’ve been collecting sporting books for much longer than I have double guns. My focus has been American upland game books, but waterfowl is included.


Ditto here, to the letter.





.

[allen newell]

Because way back in my early years i couldn't afford to buy decoys, i ordered cork blocks and carved them. Did this for many years as my friends that i duck hunted with always were asking me to make some for them. Have a few left that ive made and will keep for my two grandsons. I particularly enjoyed making them out of high density cork blocks.

[edgarspencer]

I was not previously aware of this, but according to my wife, I collect everything.

[William Woods]

Upland prints, books, English Setter related items, and thanks to Destry gun patches.

[Garry L Gordon]

I was not previously aware of this, but according to my wife, I collect everything.

As long as she lets you collect, why say anything!?:)

[Craig Larter]

Thanks everyone for your posts. I think it's interesting to see what others collect besides Parker guns. When we meet, online or at events, it's fun to connect with Parker friends on different collecting subjects/ passions.

[Daryl Corona]

I was not previously aware of this, but according to my wife, I collect everything.

Probably mostly dust.:)

[CraigThompson]

I was not previously aware of this, but according to my wife, I collect everything.

Atleast your wife understands the concept of “collecting or accumulating” . That whole concept is lost on my Filipina wife lols ! She says when o go to a shoot it’s “socializing” not shooting and to be honest to a degree she’s correct . :rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Mike Koneski]

I was not previously aware of this, but according to my wife, I collect everything.

Edgar, just tell her your most valuable item in your collection is your trophy wife. You’re Welcome.

[Mike Koneski]

cork decoys

Why do you need a decoy for cork? Are cork wiley? Asking for a friend.

[edgarspencer]

Edgar, just tell her your most valuable item in your collection is your trophy wife. You’re Welcome.

That's Brilliant. If It works, I'll let you know. If it doesn't, I'll F'n well let you know.

[edgarspencer]

Probably mostly dust.:)

Nope. Once a month, I put the backpack blower on and give it all a good dusting.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Grouse and English Setter paraphernalia, upland hunting books, statues, etc.
Upland hunting is my thing, and haven't been buying guns but sold a few lately.

[Dave Noreen]

Gun company catalogs, posters, Fox Play Guns, A.H. Fox fishing reels, A.H. Fox Very Flare Pistols, vintage boxes of 3-inch 20-gauge shells and working on a collection of all the various boxes of the blue & yellow Western Super-X boxes (the style used from 1940 to 1960).

[Daryl Corona]

Gun company catalogs, posters, Fox Play Guns, A.H. Fox fishing reels, A.H. Fox Very Flare Pistols, vintage boxes of 3-inch 20-gauge shells and working on a collection of all the various boxes of the blue & yellow Western Super-X boxes (the style used from 1940 to 1960).

You left out knowledge Dave. You've been collecting that for a long time.:bowdown:

[Alfred Houde]

Books, books, and more books about firearms history, grouse and woodcock, waterfowl, gun dogs, and British shooting and game birds. With muzzleloaders tossed in.

I also accumulated various beer mugs and steins from travels during my Navy days.

[Mike Koneski]

That's Brilliant. If It works, I'll let you know. If it doesn't, I'll F'n well let you know.

BWAHAHAHAHA!! Good thing I didn’t have a mouthful of coffee when I read your reply.

[Tom Hawkins]

Some of my collections are extensions and additions of my grandfathers and fathers as well. Marbles, tops, bamboo fly rods, sxs's, tools, knives, and vintage 28 gauge shell boxes are my interest areas.

[edgarspencer]

Some of my collections are extensions and additions of my grandfathers and fathers as well. Marbles, tops, bamboo fly rods, sxs's, tools, knives, and vintage 28 gauge shell boxes are my interest areas.

So that's where they went. Mystery solved.

[Alfred Houde]

I always thought this was cool. My Dad bought it for his Dad many, many years ago. When my Grandfather died, my Dad gave it to me. It now resides in my gun cabinet.

[edgarspencer]

Alfred, Is it a bottle cap opener?

[Alfred Houde]

It is. I always found it odd as neither were dog men, nor gun guys. My Dad stopped hunting before I was born, and only owned two firearms, a Marlin .32 Winchester Special and a Remington Model 1100 Trap Gun that I bought him as a birthday gift while I was in the Navy. My youngest son now owns the Trap Gun.

My Mom used to say that I got my "gun thing" from her Dad. He died in 1945 so I never met him, but my Mom told me that he enjoyed bird hunting and always kept an Irish Setter around.

[Dave Tercek]

Upland sporting books. Pennsylvania (Kentucky) Long Rifles. I stick to local rifles, Bedford ,Somerset, and Cambria County makers.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Just many different things, Mainly Sharps Rifles lately, and a couple SBT guns, I have a weakness for Colt revolvers, Viper, and Boa's sold my set of Boa's regreted it ever since, Gary

[Dan Steingraber]

Rocks. About 25 years ago I started picking up a small rock to bring home from most hunting trips. I use them as paper weights, ball markers on the golf course and just enjoy picking one up now and then to remember. My most treasured collection is my collection of friends and I am always searching for my next one. I have found that good friends enrich my life in immeasurable ways, cost virtually nothing but are of great value.

[Garry L Gordon]

Rocks. About 25 years ago I started picking up a small rock to bring home from most hunting trips. I use them as paper weights, ball markers on the golf course and just enjoy picking one up now and then to remember. My most treasured collection is my collection of friends and I am always searching for my next one. I have found that good friends enrich my life in immeasurable ways, cost virtually nothing but are of great value.

Interesting. Elaine and I have been “gathering stones” from our hunting trips for years. We have enough now to do some kind of landscape project.

[Dan Steingraber]

Interesting. Elaine and I have been “gathering stones” from our hunting trips for years. We have enough now to do some kind of landscape project.

Garry, Most of mine are pretty small. I suppose if I had my Sherpa along to carry them I would have collected larger ones. :rotf::rotf:

[Garry L Gordon]

Garry, Most of mine are pretty small. I suppose if I had my Sherpa along to carry them I would have collected larger ones. :rotf::rotf:

Ha! Elaine has been claiming she is treated like a Sherpa for years. Please don’t encourage her!:)

[Phil Yearout]

Rocks. About 25 years ago I started picking up a small rock to bring home from most hunting trips. I use them as paper weights, ball markers on the golf course and just enjoy picking one up now and then to remember.

I used to do that on my fishing trips, then I'd take a sharpie and note the date and the place on it. But I don't travel much anymore, and where I fish now I'd just have to bring home a handful of mud :rotf:.

[todd allen]

Rocks. About 25 years ago I started picking up a small rock to bring home from most hunting trips. I use them as paper weights, ball markers on the golf course and just enjoy picking one up now and then to remember. My most treasured collection is my collection of friends and I am always searching for my next one. I have found that good friends enrich my life in immeasurable ways, cost virtually nothing but are of great value.

I have done this for years, as well. I keep them in a rock garden just off the back porch
One year, I found a crystal outcropping sticking out the side of a rocky hillside, and decided it needed to come home.
This was at the end of a deer hunt in Northern Nevada.
I couldn't pry it loose, so walked off about 50-60 yards and put a 160 gr Nozler Partition in just to the side of it.
The stone came loose, and is in my "collection".

[Mills Morrison]

I’ve got an accumulation of a lot of sporting memorabilia. From art to decoys to shell boxes to lots of stuff.

[Marty Kohler]

I always thought this was cool. My Dad bought it for his Dad many, many years ago. When my Grandfather died, my Dad gave it to me. It now resides in my gun cabinet.

Alfred…..From the early fifties to 1986 my father opened up hundreds of Carling Black Labels with the setter opener. In all my years of digging through antique shops I had never seen another till a couple of years ago and picked it up for my son. He already knows the story of mine and he will, among other things, use it when I am gone. Every darn time I use it I think of all those Black Labels and my Dad. Yours is only the third one I ever saw. Thanks for posting that…..

The Yellow Labrador opener is from 1980…. bought at the Old Forge Hardware Store In Old Forge, New York

[todd allen]

I also collect German Shorthairs, but only in pairs.

[Robert Delk]

Catalogs of all kinds,old fly reels,salmon flies,vises,woodworking tools,figured lumber,folk art furniture,antlers,horns and many,many books.

[Russell E. Cleary]

Antique folding (pocket) knives; and for fixed blade knives: butcher, chefs, and cleavers; and related books and catalogues.

Vintage fishing boat photos, and recorded interviews of many of the people that worked on them.

“Curated" trout and salmon flies that were my father's (1916-1993), some still in their unopened packages.

Anchors (how far would I have to travel before I found another anchor collector?).

I still have stored in steel ammunition boxes the matchbooks that my brother and I collected in our youth (the baseball cards typically disappeared long ago).