William "Bill" Rutter

[johngross]

I've seen some rifles with provenance to Bill Rutter. Does anyone know him or about him? What he collected, expertise, etc.? I see he is acknowledged by Al in Book II.

I found an obituary for a William Bryan "Bill" Rutter of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin from 2021 but I don't know if it's the same Bill Rutter. There's quite a bit of info in the obit but no mention about his collecting interests.

Thanks.

https://www.jsonline.com/obituaries/mjs049384

[Dick Hosmer]

That is the correct man. Nice guy, salt of the earth, old-school gentleman (sadly a vanishing breed) - I had the great pleasure of visiting him at his home in the early 90's, when I had business with Underwriters Labs in Chicago. He collected US martial arms, and had just about everything - including BOTH versions of the 1882 (plus parts) and a .30 caliber. I would have to guess that his collection might well have been in the top ten amongst private entities, certainly the top 20. Time did not permit close inspection of all of it. . . Fortunately, I made several business trips to the east during that period, and was able to meet Al, Pete Nelson, Herb Spalla, Frank Mallory, Graham Burnside, Wayne Gagner, Burt Kellerstedt, Joe DeChristopher, and others. Of that group, only Al, Herb & Wayne survive.

His collection was liquidated a few years ago, and was the source of the parts (included the SRS-listed receiver (197404) used in my recent restoration covered here.

He is missed.

[johngross]

Dick,

I sent a thank you in a PM but I don't see it my "Sent" folder (I must have done something wrong?), so I'll thank you here for the information on Bill Rutter. I discovered the OM at CF was in his collection. It doesn't change the fact the rifle is rough, but based upon some of his other rifles I've now seen he didn't mind owning guns that were there in the blood and mud.

Thanks again.

[Dick Hosmer]

Bill was, like myself, not foremost a "condition" collector - caring more for *originality. Much of his stuff was on the slightly-worn side. He began earlier than I, and was a bit older, and, being in the east, was much closer to the center of the action. There is, or was, a HUGE difference in what circulated at eastern shows vs. what filtered out to northern CA. Many items never made it at all - in 50+ years I never saw an 1882, or a .30 caliber, for sale.

I have always said that OMs, while beautiful and desirable, are NOT "rare", all it takes is MONEY - you want one, you will find several for sale at any given time. Out of the 477 made, I would not be surprised if somewhere between 350 to 400 still exist (we need Vance Haynes to publish!). You are living that story now. Can't do that with a .30, or a Sharps-sighted LR, or an 1882, or a Hotchkiss Army. THEY are rare.

*my "homemade" M1882 (done as much for fun, and because I could, than anything else) is a definite aberration from my norm.

Yes, something went sideways - I have no PM from you.

[johngross]

Bill was, like myself, not foremost a "condition" collector - caring more for *originality. Much of his stuff was on the slightly-worn side.

Thank you, Dick. I'll make my own Like button.

[Fred Gaarde]

Dick you might add to that rare list an 1868 dated Trapdoor.
I mean, they’re pretty darned rare.
It took me about 50 years to find one.

[Dick Hosmer]

Dick you might add to that rare list an 1868 dated Trapdoor.
I mean, they’re pretty darned rare.
It took me about 50 years to find one.

With about *150 made (we think) they don't quite, IMHO, crack the very top tier - but, they are extremely scarce, and to have as many of them as you do, is absolutely mind-blowing.

* .30 cal.: 15,
LR w/Sharps: 24,
1882: 52 (26/26RB),
Hotchkiss Army: max. of 7 survivors . . . .