A Decoy Corner Article by Bruce Urben, President
Walter Ruppel Mallards
Another factory decoy maker in Wisconsin was in business in the 1930’s and made thousands of decoys.
Walter J. Ruppel was born in Russia in 1902 and moved to Sheboygan with his parents and his younger brother in 1914. Walter made his first decoy at the age of 12 for use in duck hunting in the lush areas of Lake Poygan, Butte des Morts and Winneconne. His first decoys were made from old railroad ties which were crafted of white cedar. In their younger years, Walter and his brother served as professional waterfowl guides, but Walter was later employed as a plumber.
His early decoys were made in his home workshop, but decoy making became his prime livelihood and he moved production to an old blacksmith shop in Erdman, WI in 1934 and the Ruppel Decoy Co. was born.
Walter Ruppel Canvasback
His early decoys were primarily made of cork with cedar or pine heads and a bottom board to prevent the cork from cracking. The cork or balsa decoys were over sized with thick bodies. Eventually Walter obtained a duplicating lathe and his production increased substantially. Thousands of white cedar decoys, including hollow versions, were made from 1935-1941. Ruppel’s decoys included bluebills, mallards, blue wing and green wing teal, pintail, widgeon, ringneck, blackducks, redheads, canvasbacks, golden eyes, coots and Canada geese.
Many of his decoys were sold directly to customers but he also provided decoys to Abercrombie & Fitch, VanLangerke & Antoine, Marshall Fields and the Gorky Co. Walter advertised in all of the National sporting magazines as well.
Ruppel decoys are boxy in cork but very sleek in wood. Many of his decoys were dated and signed except those sold through the big box stores at the time.
In 1942, Walter moved to Portland, Oregon and continued making decoys including miniatures. The Walter J. Ruppel Decoy Co. will go down as one of the more successful factory decoy manufacturers. He continued to produce decoys until the 1990’s. Walter died in 1999 at the age of 97.
A rare, signed Walter Ruppel Avocet decoy
Walter’s decoys are quite collectible with those in good condition and original paint going at auction for $400-$500. There are still Ruppel decoys being found at flea markets and rummage sales and are for sale on the secondary market.
As always, consult with a reputable dealer or collector to identify and appraise any decoy for you before you buy.
If you are in the Green Bay Area, stop in at Cabela’s in Green Bay to view the Ruppel Decoy collection in the back of the store. Another Wisconsin Original!