Hello,
I will be attending the Baltimore antique arms show (first time) this weekend and wanted to know if anyone had any words of wisdom, tips, or lessons learned.
Thank you in advance.

Words of wisdom?

No.

Words of hearsay?

It'll be worth your while-----perhaps even memorable.

Lessons learned from others of the big time shows: "This is serious business-----bring money!" On the other hand, there was a time when I went to the Las Vegas winter show NINE YEARS in a row---and came home with ONE gun---as in "You win some, and you lose some!", but the vittles were good----and most all of the folks were too.

Ralph Tremaine

As pertains to any gun show, if you see something you really want and the price is fair, buy it then. Don’t walk around and expect it to be there when you come back in two hours. And fill not just one pocket, but two pockets with wads of cash. Money talks, bs walks.

It’s been a while but the Baltimore Show is in one of the worst States for guns. Make absolutely sure you read into their gun laws because they have the most strict laws probably in the country next to New York and New Jersey.
I Remember the show had the largest volume of Civil War cap and ball guns that I had ever seen. The prices were fair to high as I recall. The show is not huge either. It’s good size but I suspect due to heavy gun regulations in that state that it has shrunk significantly.
Do try the Blue Crab when you go out to eat. It’s excellent.

Murph

It should be held in either Virginia or Pennsylvania for proximity and sanity.

Blue crab, Cherry Stone clams on the half shell, lots of Rolling Rock. If you see something you like, buy it.

This /\/\/\
I've never ben to Baltimore, but I've done the Michigan Antique Arms show for decades.

Bring lots of cash and don't waffle on something you want. Pick it up, inspect it and if everything looks good, buy it.

If you really want to get good deals, pay for a table so you can shop during set-up.

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"I also cook."

Bring Ca$h.

See that last sentence up there ^^^^^?

They very clearly come from one who's been there and done that-----and WOW!!!------it really works like a charm!!

Ralph Tremaine

First, bring cash, secondly, bring cash......

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James Redfield
LM #497

Beside what's been said, I take a pencil and notebook so that I can note the location if I waffle on a purchase. I sometimes draw a map of the tables at the venue so that I don't walk to the wrong end of the building or isle while looking for the goodie. If there is something I see that I want, then I buy it NOW even if it is a bit more than I think it is worth. The 'waffle' items usually mean that I already have one or the price is more than what I'll pay. Buy it now, figure what to do with it later.

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Mike Maher #283

When I was much younger and still a rookie in the world of S&W, I attended a nice gun show in Augusta, Maine. On one table the seller had 2 lady smith M frame revolvers in really nice shape. Not being up on prices I put the guns down and wandered around the show looking for a blue book to verify value. The prices asked were very reasonable per the book so I hurried back to the table just in time to see the guy that was standing behind me laying Benjamin's down on the table. As the saying goes, he who hesitates is lost.

At the very least, if you see something that you like or trips some button, ask the dealer if he will hold the item for 15 minutes (even if you have to put down some refundable cash) while you go check the book or ask a friend. Otherwise if you like it, buy it.

You never pay too much for a gun although sometimes you buy them a little early.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I just quickly looked through the gun laws for Baltimore. All 268 pages! See attached photos. Pretty risky I’d say if you’re driving.

Murph

Attached Images

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	IMG_8642.jpeg (170.9 KB, 37 views)

Stay out of West Baltimore…that goes double if you’re carrying cash.

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Some Might Say.

And so how is the show today?

Is there a decent number of tables?

How is the attendance?

What’s the quality of the eye candy?

Show was good about 800 tables. I didnt purchase anything, only found 1 top break I was interested in. I just felt the price was too high for me.
There was a guy from TN with a table full of volcanics.
Attendance was good.
My words of advice is to purchase tickets online ahead of time.
There were about 500 people in line to buy them.

And, in the end, how was the Baltimore show? I’ve heard it hasn’t been the same since Covid?

I attended regularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s when I lived in the DC area. Now that it’s a 3 hour drive, I haven’t attended since. Cannot come to the conclusion if post Covid it’s worth the 3 hour drive or not.