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Whatever Happened to PA/KY Rifle Collection?

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springfield art

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Refresh my memory; there was a famous collector/researcher of PA/KY rifles up 'til about the 1960's, in Lancaster, PA. His family were antique dealers, and he had over 600 rifles in an old house in town. Did that all go to the Landis Valley Farm Museum, or something? Were the rifles scattered about the country? I can't recall the gent's name, but if you were lucky enough to visit the collection, and dared to shoulder a rifle before admiring it's artistic qualities, he's kick you out with anger. Thanks; there's fascinating history in the study of collecting itself. One can imagine at one time, antique dealers going into houses to buy furniture, and there'd be a rifle or two in a corner!
 
There was the Eagle Museum in that general area that had a large collection of long rifles but it closed sometime in the late 80s or early 90s and I have no idea what became of the collection.
 
Vince Nolt's extensive collection was at his Eagle Museum, in the historic Herr Mill. Both his collection and the building was sold by Conestoga auction in July 1984. Lots of big money Pa Rifle collectors were there for the two day extravaganza, so I didn't get much. But I still refer to the auction catalog to reference certain guns and makers. As Springfield Art mentioned, Nolt was very knowledgeable, but was a gruff and grumpy old codger.
 
You thinking of Joe Kindig Jr? A prominent antique dealer that went around York and Lancaster counties buying up stuff in the 1920s and 1930s. He became famous for collecting original guns, with over 600 at the end but apparently never fired a gun. The business went to his son Kindig III, but did not continue. I think there was a daughter of III that ran it for a time, but closed up within the past 10 years or so. Stuff has been selling through different auction houses over the past few years. Guess she figured it easier to liquidate all the stuff rather than continue a running business. Sotheby's sold some, and others as well.
https://pookandpook.com/100-years-the-kindig-legacy/
https://www.sothebys.com/en/digital...an-furniture-paintings-silver-decorative-arts

Kindig Jr was an expert on Longrifles and wrote/photographed them -thoughts on the Kentucky rifle is something we should all like to have in our library.
 
hawkeye2 said:
So Nolt's collection and the museum were one and the same, thanks for the confirmation. I never got there but wished I had.
Click to expand...
Correct ......
Screenshot 2024-09-21 at 5.06.20 PM.png
 
BoomStick said:
You thinking of Joe Kindig Jr? A prominent antique dealer that went around York and Lancaster counties buying up stuff in the 1920s and 1930s. He became famous for collecting original guns, with over 600 at the end but apparently never fired a gun. The business went to his son Kindig III, but did not continue. I think there was a daughter of III that ran it for a time, but closed up within the past 10 years or so. Stuff has been selling through different auction houses over the past few years. Guess she figured it easier to liquidate all the stuff rather than continue a running business. Sotheby's sold some, and others as well.
https://pookandpook.com/100-years-the-kindig-legacy/
https://www.sothebys.com/en/digital...an-furniture-paintings-silver-decorative-arts

Kindig Jr was an expert on Longrifles and wrote/photographed them -thoughts on the Kentucky rifle is something we should all like to have in our library.
Click to expand...
THAT'S IT! Mr. Kindig! thanks! I read an article about him years ago, always wondered what became of the collection. I'll bet they got most of them for a song back in those days, before modern times realized their value.
 

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