gun shows

[hrt4me]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

 

[necchi]

No. Not anymore.
Usually just $2-3000 original colts, $700 GPR's and $600 Thompson's.

 

[dave951]

Sometimes, it's hit or miss but mainly miss. It also depends on the show, location and some shows focus on collector stuff.

 

[hrt4me]

The huge Wanamaker Gun Show is this weekend, and I am contemplating the 4 hour drive to Tulsa.
Does anyone who previously attended assess it would be worthwhile with respect to muzzleloading?

 

[bang]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

As far as rifles I seem to be blessed or maybe cursed in receiving vibes from good deals. Picked up 6 rifles in a year. Average cost per, 350. Last one a Mowrey for 3 worth 7-8. One at a very small gun show that landed a Navy Arms 58 Buffalo Hunter. One rock lock from individual. The rest were resale shop but mostly pawn shop.
Got to stay home more.

 

[dave951]

A general comment on gun shows. I started going in the 1970s and they were a flea market of firearms and related stuff and there was always a couple collectors showing their collections. That part was hands off, lookie only. Two collections that still stick in my mind years later, one was a collection of a number of original Sharps rifles from percussion all the way through the days of the buffalo hunters. The other was a collection of Thompson sub machine guns. Even back then, you could get muzzleloaders and Civil War surplus that escaped Bannerman.

Fast forward to now, it's Chinese knock off garbage, jerky, and black rifles. There are still a few vendors worth seeing but they generally are at the collector type shows. Muzzleloaders can be found and some deals can be had. Most of the vendors I've seen recently aren't that informed on the current values and having a bore light is a plus. Just shine that light down the bore and offer half the asking. Works most of the time. If the dealer objects, point out that the gun will have to be rerifled to be useful, never mind the fact that even a "bad" bore can be made to shoot surprisingly well.

When I do go to shows these days, I'm looking for that "diamond in the rough" muzzleloader or the small private vendor with a table full of old stuff like molds and reloading gear. I recently scored an original Ohaus beam powder scale from the early 1970s still in it's original box for $75. That's less than current production RCBS and it's a scale from the days when the engineers designed the product and not the accountants. I've also gotten a couple single stage presses that I use for bullet sizing. Everybody knows about RCBS, but not everybody knows Bonanza and some of the other older brands. They still work fine but because they look old, the millenials don't want them so they're usually cheap.

 

[desi23]

Depends on the show........... I belong to a couple collector clubs, there are always lots of interesting guns at their shows. Muzzle loaders (original and replica) as well as many other old guns (my interests cover a wide field) and it is often possible to find a deal if you can keep your eyes open. I also like to get a table at a couple of the regular gun shows in the area. While tables tend to run to modern, plastic stocked whatever you can sometimes find a deal when someone has gotten something outside of their normal line of stock. I have also gotten some really great deals from walk ins (and a few really good laughs too). I have a sign that states "I buy old ammo, old guns and gun parts" and it always seems to bring me something of interest. Sometimes have to tell someone that "No, your brass frame FIE Remington isn't a rare civil war collectors piece" but also get to look at and often buy some nice original and replica guns.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

There was a time when going to a gun show was a great time, meeting new people, seeing all sorts of firearms, and having a great time. I remember it being fun, unique, filled with nice, friendly wholesome people.

I only go sporadically anymore…Once or twice a year…I see the exact same people, selling the exact same stuff, and possessing the exact same surly attitude. And each time I go, I ask myself, “Now why did I come to this?”

Maybe if I went to a different state…see what they have…

I usually get the ole feelings walking traders row at a rondy.

 

[Jim]

I gave up on shows MANY years ago . . . .
Even the prestigious shows that Ye Connecticut Gun Guild put on in Glastonbury, Connecticut!
In fact, when attending one, I happened to walk by about three or four vendors, gathered around a table, lamenting how they couldn’t sell anything to these “cheap bas****s” attending.
As I walked, without breaking stride, I said, “I’ll come to your shops tomorrow and buy something when you list stuff at REGULAR prices!”

 

[Rock Home Isle]

You and me both….

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

I've never bought a gun from a show.
I attend to look only....especially shows that focus on BP guns. The prices are usually out of my price range.
What amazes me is...I'll see some guns on their tables when I arrive and they are still on the table when I leave.
I guess some of those dealers really LIKE their guns so well they like packing them up to take home.

 

[TNBandit]

Knowing a few folks who set up at the shows I've come to the conclusion that they go these days mainly to buy, not to sell. They have a few things set out overpriced and sit there hoping for the guy who knows nothing and brought grandpa's old gun they inherited to sell and they can buy it for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Jim]

Knowing a few folks who set up at the shows I've come to the conclusion that they go these days mainly to buy, not to sell. They have a few things set out overpriced and sit there hoping for the guy who knows nothing and brought grandpa's old gun they inherited to sell and they can buy it for pennies on the dollar.

Yup . . . .

There was a dealer that ALWAYS set up at the very first table one had to pass by . . . .

Bob Harris (now departed) would eyeball anyone who came in carrying a firearm, and get “first dibs”!

Anyone remember him?

 

[SOLANCO]

I skip the big shows now. Too much samey samey and not much of interest.
I do like the small shows put on by clubs in this region. They are not all black rifles and "survival" gear. I can often find something both appealing and reasonable. Last year was a nice A.H.Fox 16 GA unmentionable with pretty wood.

 

[springfield art]

Do you typically find interesting, collectible or rare muzzleloading guns and accessories at your local gun shows?

To quote Necci, no. Boy, back in the day, though....I can't believe some of the stuff you'd find or passed over, which is now worth a bundle.

 

[springfield art]

I've never bought a gun from a show.
I attend to look only....especially shows that focus on BP guns. The prices are usually out of my price range.
What amazes me is...I'll see some guns on their tables when I arrive and they are still on the table when I leave.
I guess some of those dealers really LIKE their guns so well they like packing them up to take home.

Those "black powder only" show, esp. the high-end custom muzzleloading long rifles, are in a class by themselves.

 

[Old Hawkeye]

The huge Wanamaker Gun Show is this weekend, and I am contemplating the 4 hour drive to Tulsa.
Does anyone who previously attended assess it would be worthwhile with respect to muzzleloading?

It's just too big. There is no way to actually go through the place & see everything in the hours available. Last I checked it was 4200 tables!! If you know of a specific dealer you want to check out, there is a map that will allow a more efficient search. I have been, but have no desire to go back.

 

[springfield art]

I gave up on shows MANY years ago . . . .
Even the prestigious shows that Ye Connecticut Gun Guild put on in Glastonbury, Connecticut!
In fact, when attending one, I happened to walk by about three or four vendors, gathered around a table, lamenting how they couldn’t sell anything to these “cheap bas****s” attending.
As I walked, without breaking stride, I said, “I’ll come to your shops tomorrow and buy something when you list stuff at REGULAR prices!”

The high-end antique-type shows are called "Blue Blazer" shows by some. Every hobby has it's beer crowd and the high-end high dollar crowd. Guns are no exception.

 

[springfield art]

A general comment on gun shows. I started going in the 1970s and they were a flea market of firearms and related stuff and there was always a couple collectors showing their collections. That part was hands off, lookie only. Two collections that still stick in my mind years later, one was a collection of a number of original Sharps rifles from percussion all the way through the days of the buffalo hunters. The other was a collection of Thompson sub machine guns. Even back then, you could get muzzleloaders and Civil War surplus that escaped Bannerman.

Fast forward to now, it's Chinese knock off garbage, jerky, and black rifles. There are still a few vendors worth seeing but they generally are at the collector type shows. Muzzleloaders can be found and some deals can be had. Most of the vendors I've seen recently aren't that informed on the current values and having a bore light is a plus. Just shine that light down the bore and offer half the asking. Works most of the time. If the dealer objects, point out that the gun will have to be rerifled to be useful, never mind the fact that even a "bad" bore can be made to shoot surprisingly well.

When I do go to shows these days, I'm looking for that "diamond in the rough" muzzleloader or the small private vendor with a table full of old stuff like molds and reloading gear. I recently scored an original Ohaus beam powder scale from the early 1970s still in it's original box for $75. That's less than current production RCBS and it's a scale from the days when the engineers designed the product and not the accountants. I've also gotten a couple single stage presses that I use for bullet sizing. Everybody knows about RCBS, but not everybody knows Bonanza and some of the other older brands. They still work fine but because they look old, the millenials don't want them so they're usually cheap.

I am from the same time frame, and know exactly what you're stating here, Thanks!

 

[oldwood]

Does anyone know if the Great Baltimore Antique Gun is still going at the fair grounds ?? Haven't been to it since some time in the 1980's.