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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Missouri Decoy Factories

There are numerous decoy factories and carvers in the midwest.  But how nice it would be to know where the factories existed in Jefferson City-is it possible that anyone thought to keep that record?  Sounds like a search for another time.  We hear so much about valuable decoys from the east coast, it is nice to find decoy factories in Missouri; as those of you in the mid west search those antique shops would you keep an eye out for these decoys? Who knows you might find a bargain and become one of those "pickers". This may bore some of you, but I believe that history is important plus if you are looking to become a collector here is an expensive but a good place to start.  If you have relatives or friends near fly ways or rivers start checking the garages and barns for decoys-I once saw a stack of decoys behind a garage in Iowa. When I talked with the elderly woman in the house, she said that her husband had hunted over them for years but wasn't interested in selling any until she talked with her son; she also thought I was crazy for wanting to buy any of them.  Her son called me with a price at $300 per decoy-thanks but no thanks.  I found a place in Maine that was run by an elderly man who priced most of his decoys at $25-$50-he had hunted over most of them-I did not have my check book and it was before debit cards; I returned the next summer but the man had died, his children had remodeled the shop (cleaned it up) and had the decoys listed at $300-$1000-again, thanks but no thanks.  But I am going to keep looking for that bargain!  Check out the pictures and descriptions below-someone found these so keep looking.
Hays Wood Products Co. Mallard DrakeJefferson City, Missouri • Circa early 1920sThe Hays company began producing decoys in the early 1920s. Hays was the first of three companies that produced decoys over a span of two decades in Jefferson City. This mallard drake in excellent dry original paint. There is a tight age crack that runs the length on the bottom and an inch up the tail and breast. Most of this is covered by the old strip weight applied to the bottom. The head is securely attached. The neck filler is cracked, but present, all the way around. This crack has run up into the head just slightly but is tight and not that noticeable. The small tan smudges are actually news print still stuck to the bird from when it was originally painted. Judging from the amount of wear, or actually lack of it, I would say he has not had much use.
Item #207013
I$785.00



Benz Pintail Drake

Drake pintail by Benz Wood Products Co., Jefferson City, MO., in excellent O.P. and cond. with some in-use wear, glass eyes, nice scratch painting on back, this decoy is from my personal collection, ca. 1930's.

Carver : Benz Decoy Company
450
 



Benz Widgeon Drake

RARE Drake Widgeon by Benz Wood Products Co., Jefferson City, MO. Grand Prix Model, near mint original paint and condition. This decoy was weighted, but never used in the field. It has nice scratch painting on the back and glass eyes, ca.1930's. THIS IS ONE OF THREE KNOWN BENZ WIDGEON DECOYS IN COLLECTIONS: A TRUE INVESTMENT GRADE DECOY.

Carver : Benz Decoy Factory
1725.00
 












Gundelfinger Pintail Drake

Gundelfinger pintail drake (no.237), hard to find, excellent paint.

Carver : Gundelfinger Decoy Factory
300
 



Gundelfinger Superior Canvasback Drake

Gundelfinger No. 227 (Superior canvasback drake)in fine original condition. The comb paint is exquisite. The large flat ballast weight is marked "NIXON"

Carver : Gundelfinger Wood Products
250
 



Gundelfinger Redhead Superior Pair

Pair of Gundelfinger redheads, Superior Models. Drake all original, with wonderful deep comb-painting and fine original paint. The hen may have some minimal hunter repaint; it still has its ballast weight. Both decoys are worn, and provide a great example of the Jefferson City decoys. Each decoy is 14.5 x 4.75 x 6.75 (L x W x H) inches in dimension.

Carver : Gundelfinger Decoy Company
435.00
 

 


Gundelfinger Superior Model Mallard Pair, Original Paint

Great pair of Gundelfinger Superior Model (Gundelfinger catalog #205, 206) solid decoys. These are classic examples of the Gundelfinger decoy line of decoys. The drake has some areas where the paint has been rubbed off, but the hen is remarkably pristine. The drake is 16 x 5.25 x 6 (L x W x H) inches. The hen has the same dimensions. Some of the top layers of the heavy impasto flaked off the hen's chest flaked off before comb-paint application: she looks great anyway. Some comb paint has flaked completely off the back of the head.

Carver : Gundelfinger Decoy Company
400.00
 

 


Gundelfinger Grand Prix Mallard Pair

Pair of Gundelfinger Grand Prix Model (Gundelfinger catalog #5,6) hollow decoys. These have carving around the bill root. Each bird is 17 x 5.5 x 7 (L x W x H) inches. The drake has some areas where the paint has been rubbed off, but the hen's back is still exceptional despite worn paint on the head. Both decoys have their original strip weights.

Carver : Gubndelfinger Decoy Company
431.25
 




Thanks for checking out the site, remember to measure twice and cut once.  Peace to you all.





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