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Michael Petrov, who was on here often, has a major section of his collection along with another Alaskan collector John Wills up for auction on Nov 22. If there was a time to take a trip to NH and to bid for guns, this would be it. Michael was a true scholar and his taste in rifles was truly wonderful. This is truly a once in a lifetime auction. I wish I could free up 10K and move a couple of these rifles back to Alaska. Hopefully, Phil (458Win) will represent.

http://www.amoskeagauction.com/104/auction104.html

Sincerely,
Thomas

Indeed. I went through the whole list about an hour ago and lamented the state of my pocketbook the whole way. Never again will such a collection of pre-war custom rifles be offered for sale. Imagine- the chance to own Townsend Whelen's Wundhamer-built '03 sporter (one of the very first such things ever built).

On the other hand, my best wish would be for Michael to still be alive and coaching us on the subject.

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!

kd

I certainly have one of the catalogs on order and recommend that anyone with any interest in Springfield sporters to order one simply for the photos! It is not like a four hour visit with Michael in his gun room but there is not likely to ever be another collection of 1903 sporters anywhere.

Like Phil, I did the tour of Mike's gun room, and have no doubts what he's saying is absolutely true.

I had the privilege a few times to sit in Micheal's gun room and discuss all things Whelen, handle some spectacular guns, swoon over some historic pieces and enjoy the generosity of a truly fine man. I knew him for far to brief a time. Phil is right, that was most likely the best collection of Springfields anywhere.

I never personally met Michael but I have followed his notions of building a research library. He was always helpful with questions that I had with my Sedgley Sporter. I really am at an age and stage in my life where I could have used him as a mentor.

Sincerely,
Thomas

You mean between these two guys they have over 700 rifles of that quality? powdr

The information that Michael and John possessed was at least as valuable as all the guns they owned.

No there are at least three other really good collections being auctioned off. However, those two individuals had two of the best collections in the world of Springfield Sporter Customs and single shot turn of the century rifles.

Sincerely,
Thomas

I was hoping he'd put a couple hundred on 24HCF to sell off.

WOW! What a collection of Grand Rifles.

Wish I could be there!!! If nothing else to see the sale price on some of them.

What did Petrov do to allow him to finance the acquisition of so many fine guns? Any one know?

Jim

He was an engineer on Alaskan oil rigs, and invested wisely instead of joining the roustabouts in debauchery when off duty. He also started collecting this stuff 45 years ago when a lot of it was considered to be "just nice sporterized Springfields". I think he was 67-68 years old when he died back in February.

Had I put my money into stuff like that instead of stupid stuff like food and rent...

I have acquired a decent pile of small stuff from his collection over the last few months, but those rifles are beyond my budget. (I have bought more Lotto tickets this week than I have in the last year!!)

Any kind of estimates on the price of any of those Springfields. I would love to be there. Just love the sporter Sringfield rifles more than any other kind.
Mouse

Mouse-
The auction house has placed their provisional estimate of range of bids in parentheses at the end of each description. Some rifles may sell for less than the lower value; some for more than the higher.
--Bob

Anybody got any goodies from this?

Man oh man! I'd just like to SEE some of those, not to mention put in a bid!

My uncle was a very large Buick dealer in the 1930's, 40's and '50's in the New York City area and had 6 beautiful custom Griffin and Howe Springfield's in his glass gun case. Each year he'd take a month off and go elk hunting in Wyoming.

He once promised me one of the rifles, but on his death they all went to his kids (as it should be, but disappointing). I'd sure love to hold one of those rifles again.