Andre Gibeault

[Jordan Baker]

Very sorry to hear about his passing. I always enjoyed talking with him at the shows and picked up some nice pieces from him over the years. Please pass on my condolences to his family.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

I never had the pleasure to meet him in person, but he was a well-known collector in the Canadian HMV fraternity.

Those of you who are in close contact with his family and friends, please pass on condolences on behalf of MLU.

Hanno

[Ian Johns]

The services today were wonderful with them finishing up with bagpipes and the firing of the 25 pounder 3 times. Andre would of truly love it.

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[Frank v R]

Rest in peace Andre, all the good times up in Malone with George and the others and all the other times we had such a good time , you will be missed,

[maple_leaf_eh]

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/201...mes-de-700-000

François Quesnel with part of the collection during the exhibition of the Arms collectors' association of Lower Canada.

CARL VAILLANCOURT

Sunday, 18 June 2017 00:00

Dozens of weapons that have served in the major wars of the last two centuries, including the American Civil War, are currently on sale by the largest collector in Canada.

François Quesnel inherited the task of selling the collection of his friend André Gibeault's collection after his death in May 2016.

This is truly impressive and has 300 to 400 period weapons that have served in the greatest wars of the last two centuries. The collection would be valued at between $ 700,000 and $ 750,000.

British Civil War guns, European hunting pistols, German weapons used during the Second World War are part of it. But the most prestigious pieces are the trade guns that remain the most prized because of their history.
"In the early 1800s, French settlers arrived here in Lower Canada, and exchanges trade rifles for animal skins to Amerindians," Quesnel said. After a few years, the settlers extended the cannons of the weapons, which allowed them to amass even more skins, a way to benefit more. "

Unique models

The models of rifles confirm this, since the size of the guns varies from 43 to 57 inches, a difference of 14 inches between the model dating from 1820 and that of 1830.

The value of the three trade rifles ranges from $ 3,000 to $ 6,000, the most expensive at the Lower Canada Artillery Collectors Association (LACCA) exhibition in Longueuil on May 6, according to The person responsible for the event, Pierre Gagné.

In addition to collecting projectile weapons, André Gibeault was also considered the largest collector of military vehicles in Canada, according to CABC board chair Claude Avon.

"The most impressive of his collection is his military vehicles, army jeeps, it's really special," he said. The military vehicles were stored at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

A golden collection

Well aware of the quantity of weapons to sell, Mr. Quesnel knows very well that it will take several years to sell the entire arsenal without having to resort to auctions.

"We know very well that we could liquidate at auction, but we would lose a large part of the value. We're going to be patient, "he said.

[Mike K]

A guy from Quebec posted me some info and pics when I was researching the C8 body , must have been around 1995 . Can't remember the guys name but he visited Andre's collection around 1995 and took some pics of the C8 in the collection.

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[maple_leaf_eh]

I spoke to a fellow who had helped appraise Andre's collection for the Canadian War Museum.

He had two running halftracks, a third nearly ready and a couple of derelicts. A "few" of his pieces are in the background of the condolences card someone had posted. The choicest runner was purchased by the CWM as well as about half the others. No word on where those went. This would be the second or third major acquisition from him by the Museum. Other earlier exchanges included the bullet-riddled Mercedes staff car and an experimental tracked Jeep.

So, Andre who lived a quiet happy life in rural Quebec amassing a spectacular collection has become probably the single most important contributor to Canada's most prominent HMV grouping. His legacy is indeed a legacy.