The Elmer Keith museum just opened in Boise, Idaho. Has a large part of his guns on display including his Jim Corbett double rifle, lots of other double rifles, his bolt actions, his sixguns, etc. Has a lot of trophies taken over his 84 year life. Has a recreation of his trophy room and office with his typewriter.

The state governor and many other dignitaries were present for the opening.

It is worth coming to see.

While Elmer Keith might not be appreciated by all, this museum will let future generations at least discover a truly remarkable man.

The Ted Keith family, Al Marion, John Taffin, and the others that made it happen deserve the thanks of us who will enjoy the museum. Also want to thank the Cabela's people who completed what many had dreamed and spoke of.



Hammer

Hammer, thank you for the heads up...I always liked Elmer's words..and he used those big bullets...They work!!!

To Elmer's family the best...

Mike

Is it Corbett's .450/.400 or the .275 Rigby?

analog_peninsula

quote:

Originally posted by analog_peninsula:
Is it Corbett's .450/.400 or the .275 Rigby?

analog_peninsula

It is Corbett's 450/400 double.

Great! God bless Elmer. Finally a reason to visit Boise!

Cool! Do they have his 476 Westley Richards? Is the museum connected with Cabela's?

Cabela's designed their new Boise store from the very beginning to house the Keith Museum.

Believe the Westley-Richards is there.

Many Thanks for that info. As someone else said, gives me a reason for visiting Boise. I always enjoyed Elmer's perspective on hunting and guns.

Are there any photos floating around the net of this joint?

If there is enough interest I'll go over next week and take a few pics of the Keith museum. There may be a pic of it on the Cabela'w web site for the Boise store. I did see a picture of it on some of their advertisments.

465H&H

If they will let you, I'd like to see pics of some of his guns and other interesting memorabilia.

I travel to Boise several times a year-

you can bet your six shooters I will check out the museum!

I'm fortunate enough to have about 16 photos of Elmer with Doc Ducomb on their Snake River expedition that was featured in Elmer's book "Hell, I Was There" Some of these were published in the book and some are unpublished showing Elmer with all of the hunters and Doc Godeke (sic, going from memory) bathing, posing with animals, trying to get the flatboat unstuck, etc... Neat pictures. Also included in the group was a photo of Doc and Jack O'Connor posing in a sheep camp with 5 Rams heads, three of which are full curl. Quite an accomplishment. If someone from the museum would like copies of the photos I would be happy to send them.

Dutch

I have to come up with another catchy byline.

I suppose many of the trophies are from intermnountain Outdoors since they are out of business etc. i used to work there in Meridian and gawk at the stuff on the walls. didnt have any guns but Jack Sweeet may have ned soem at the homestead..._Baxter

465H&H,

It would be great if you could get a picture of Corbett's rifle. I'd really like to see that.

Here's a picture from the museum showing Elmer at his typewriter:



It was taken from here.

Kurt

I would love to go there and see this tribute to (IMO) the best gun writer of all time. He may have huffed and puffed some on a few issues but the man knew what he was talking about. I had the pleasure to meet him at a pre-NRA show at RCBS many years ago and he was a real gentleman. I had another well known writer come up to me shortly after and tell me what a jerk Keith was and I would have glady told him to stuff it but didn't. After hearing some of this other guys work and hearing opinions on him from others, I believe it was a case of "Physician, heal thyself". I have met few people who knew him or had met him casually that had anything but good to say about him.

Elmer Keith is alive. I saw him today in Boise.

I went to the Boise Cabelas today and saw the Elmer Keith Museum.
I must say Cabelas did a pretty good job.
I really enjoued seing his 44 Mags and his double rifles.

I have also been to the "2" museums in Salmon Idaho.

His doubles looked plenty nice.

450 No2

Wish I would have known you were in Boise yesterday. We could have had lunch.


465H&H

What happened to his .500 Bosworth?

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
What happened to his .500 Bosworth?

Bozworth football player!

Boswell double rifle!

I dont know but ol' Elmer had one nice 476 I hope that it made it into the museum.

505ED

Here are some pictures of Elmers double rifles that are in the Museum at the Boise Cabela's store. I appologize for the poor quality of the pics but the light is too dark for non-flash pictures and the glass tends to reflect flash fill in light.


A best quality Westley Richards 476 Nitro double. I believe this is the rifle he used on his first African safari. He used it to take Elephant, rhino, buff, lion and leopard. He showed me this rifle at Salmon in the early 70's and told me that it was the one that he used.


Another of Elmer's Westley Richards 476 Nitro doubles. This one is a Gold Name model.


Elmer's 500 Boswell double also used in a later safari to Kenya and Tanzania to shoot several elephants, buff and hippo.


Jim Corbett's Jeffery 450/400 double rifle.


Elmers best quality drop lock 577 Nitro.




465H&H

465H&H
Sorry I hould have contacted you.
I might be comming back through Boise on my way back home around Oct 1st or 2nd.
Not sure of my exact route as I need to get back quick as I leave for Zim on Oct 10.
PM me you phone number and if I come through I will give you a call.
I am heading for the back country in an hour or so and will be off the web until the first or second.

I am half way through "Hell, I Was There". Fun reading. Boy, did he pull his pistols on a bunch of folks!!

Great pics 465, thanks for posting, I'd love to be able to see them. Does the Keith estate still own the rifles and memorobilia or Cabela's?

465H&H,

Thanks for the pictures.

Kurt

IDAHO....HERE WE COME

I alway wanted to go up there to see where Elmer had his "playground"...and now there is an even better reason for gping up there...

As far as I know Elmer's rifles and trophies are still owned by the family with Elmer's son Ted Keith the principal owner.

465H&H

I am glad the family kept his collection intact. I cannot imagine why the Roosevelts sold TR's 465, surely they didn't need the money.

Darn, icould put a field bunk in that room !!!!

I have to see that museum when i get to the states some day.

Good to see that history is kept and appreciated by generations to come.

By the way. The manikan is animated and talks to you and tells you the story of how Elmer helped dvelope the 44 Magnum cartridge.

465H&H

As reported in the January 14, 2005, Gun List, Greg Martin Auctions sold a Ruger Single Six owned by Elmer Keith.







Wonder what the Keith #5 Special and his elephant guns are worth at auction ?

They are priceless, it will be a great donation if someone buys them,but they deserve to be on a museum where they can be seen by everybody.

It would be very cool to get to shoot one of them though..

John Taffin has reported that the Keith Corbett rifle is insured for $250,000 and the #5 44 Special is insured for $100,000.

quote:

Originally posted by moleman:
465H&H,

It would be great if you could get a picture of Corbett's rifle. I'd really like to see that.

Here's a picture from the museum showing Elmer at his typewriter:



It was taken from here.

Kurt

I have a chair just like that one parked in front of my home computer.

I didn't come to know his writings till after he passed on. These days I am more interested in him as a fellow traveler. I think he owned some 10 or 15 double rifles, very good guns, that would keep him in a very confortable retirement to day. All that aside, I think I would have liked sitting in Lodge with him best of all.

Elmer Keith was special to me as i grew up reading his writings. I will make a pilgramage to Boise. Thanks for posting. Dr.C