Phila Tool Co. claw hammer featuring a forged steel head with manufacturer markings and a fitted wooden handle.
John Buckley Estate Tool Auction
The Workshop Behind the Collection — Online Only, Closing Monday, October 19
In September, the John Buckley Estate brought automobilia, gas lighting, and fine furniture to our Knightstown gallery. Now we're opening the door to his workshop.
You can tell a lot about a man by the way he kept his tools. John's Starrett and Brown & Sharpe precision instruments are still in their fitted cases. His Robert Sorby woodturning set is still in its presentation box with the paperwork. His shop ran on dependable iron: a Walker-Turner heavy-duty shaper, a Delta Rockwell table saw, a Delta Milwaukee Homecraft jointer, a Craftsman radial arm saw, and a Buffalo pedestal grinder.
The same curiosity that filled his collection shows up here too. There are early knife-switch panels on slate, an Elmco of Indianapolis automotive testing panel, gas chandeliers, Cadillac dealer literature, and Indiana advertising pieces like a W.H. Messenger hammer and a Midwest Commission Company stockyards thermometer.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Precision tools: Starrett No. 900 set, Starrett 2RL micrometer, Brown & Sharpe center micrometer set, Lufkin micrometers, gages, and calipers
• Woodworking: Robert Sorby 6-piece turning set, Walker-Turner shaper, Delta Rockwell table saw, Delta Homecraft jointer, band saw, and dozens of clamps
• Shop equipment: Buffalo and Baldor grinders, Snap-on tap and die, Greenlee knockout punch set, Hein-Werner floor jack, Knaack chest, and tool cabinets
• Power tools: Hilti, Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Porter-Cable
• Generator: Pow'R Gard 3.0 KW with Honda GX160 engine
• Collectibles: early electrical panels, gas lighting, Indiana advertising, Cadillac and Chevrolet automobilia, and silver bars
300+ lots, and every lot opens at $1. Bid now at bidburgess.com or in the Burgess Auctions app.
AUCTION DETAILS
Lots begin closing: Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET
Preview: By appointment — call 765-445-7814
Pickup: Tuesday, October 20, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, 45 W Carey Street, Knightstown, IN
Shipping: Available through Shipping Saint on most lots
Buyer's premium: 15%. Indiana sales tax applies unless exempt.
Trusted Auctions, Timeless Results.
Terms & Conditions
John Buckley Estate Tool Auction — Auction #48854
Online-only timed auction conducted by Burgess Auctions LLC • Zack Burgess, CAI, AMM, CAGA • Indiana Auctioneer License AU19600029
Detail
Information
Bidding
Online only at bidburgess.com and in the Burgess Auctions app
Lots begin closing
Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern, staggered three lots per minute
Buyer's premium
15% added to the high bid on every lot
Sales tax
7% Indiana sales tax unless a valid exemption is on file
Preview
By appointment only — 765-445-7814
Pickup
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, 45 W Carey Street, Knightstown, IN 46148
Shipping
Available on most lots through Shipping Saint
1. Agreement to Terms
By registering for and bidding in this auction, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. Please read them before placing a bid. If you have questions, call our office at 765-445-7814 before bidding.
2. Registration and Bidding
All bidders must register with a valid credit card. Your bids are binding contracts to buy, and bids cannot be retracted once placed.
You may enter a maximum bid. The system will bid for you in increments up to your maximum, only as needed to keep you the high bidder.
Lots close in order, three per minute, starting at 6:00 PM ET on Monday, October 19, 2026. A bid placed in the final minutes of a lot may extend that lot's closing time, as shown on the bidding platform. The platform's server clock is the official time.
Burgess Auctions is not responsible for missed bids caused by internet, device, app, or platform problems. We strongly recommend placing your maximum bid early.
If a dispute arises, the auctioneer's decision is final. Burgess Auctions reserves the right to reject any bid, remove any bidder, or withdraw any lot before it closes.
3. Buyer's Premium
A 15% buyer's premium is added to the high bid on every lot. The high bid plus the buyer's premium is the purchase price.
4. Sales Tax
Indiana sales tax of 7% is charged on the purchase price. To buy tax-exempt, provide a valid Indiana resale or exemption certificate before invoices are issued; exemptions cannot be applied after payment.
5. Payment
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (no American Express), and cash in person. Pay through your Burgess Auctions account or by phone at 765-445-7814.
Discounts: take 3% off for paying in cash,
Payment in full is due before pickup and no later than Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. By registering, you authorize Burgess Auctions to charge the card on file for any balance not paid by the deadline.
No items are released or shipped until the invoice is paid in full.
6. Condition — As Is, Where Is
Everything sells as is, where is, with no warranty or guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied. All sales are final.
Descriptions, measurements, dates, and photos are given in good faith as our best effort, but they are not guaranteed. Catalog photos are part of each description. Bidders should inspect lots at a preview appointment or call with questions before bidding.
Power tools, shop machines, motors, electrical panels, generators, and other equipment have not been tested unless the description says so. Buyers are responsible for safe use, repair, and compliance with current electrical and safety codes.
7. Preview
Preview is by appointment only. Call 765-445-7814 to schedule.
8. Pickup and Removal
Pickup is Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 45 W Carey Street, Knightstown, IN 46148.
Buyers are responsible for removing their items, including loading. Several lots are heavy shop machines, such as table saws, a jointer, a shaper, grinders, a band saw, and tool cabinets. Please bring enough help, a suitable vehicle or trailer, straps, and any tools needed to load safely.
If you cannot pick up on October 20, contact our office before the auction closes to make other arrangements. Items not picked up or arranged for shipping by 5:00 PM on October 20 may be treated as abandoned and forfeited without refund, unless other arrangements have been approved by Burgess Auctions.
9. Shipping
Shipping is available on most lots through our partner, Shipping Saint. Thanks to their volume and commercial shipping discounts, they offer better service and lower rates than we could on our own.
Only paid invoices are shipped. Shipping Saint picks up paid items from our gallery on Wednesdays, packs them, and sends you a separate invoice for shipping. White-glove service is available for larger items.
Contact Shipping Saint for quotes: Jeff,
[email protected], 317-644-6088.
Once items leave our gallery with a shipper, Burgess Auctions is not responsible for loss or damage in transit. Claims are handled through the shipper.
10. Title and Risk of Loss
Title passes to the buyer when the lot closes and payment is received in full. The risk of loss passes to the buyer at the close of the lot. Burgess Auctions will take reasonable care of sold items until the pickup deadline.
11. Catalog Changes
Burgess Auctions may correct, add to, or withdraw lots and descriptions at any time before a lot closes. Updates posted on the bidding platform take precedence over earlier printed or advertised material.
12. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Indiana. Any dispute will be handled in the courts of Henry County, Indiana.
13. Contact
Burgess Auctions LLC • 45 W Carey Street, Knightstown, IN 46148 • 765-445-7814 • burgessauctions.com
Integrity in Every Lot. Care in Every Sale.
Local pick up is scheduled for Tuesday June 6 from 8:30-6:00.
Winning Bidders will be sent a link to schedule a pickup, please schedule your pick-up we will have your order ready to go!
Tuesday is our scheduled pick up day, We may or may not be available any other time to facilitate your pickup,
We will asses a $10.00 convenience fee to pick up any other time than Tuesdays.
Any items left longer than 7 Days will be considered abandoned.
The items will be donated, disposed, of or resold, and you will be assessed a $25.00 Convenience fee for this
