Setting up an effective "gun show" display...

[Andy Griffith]

I want to throw this question to the more experienced of the forum that know about this subject.

Well, my friend invited me to go to a "gun show" with him. It is your normal, everyday gun show that he attends...but the club he belongs to is putting on a display of handguns to be staffed.

My question is, I've seen some very nice booths at the NRA show for the collector's associations from different states and specialties...

Any tips on setting up a professional looking display, without looking gaudy?


I thought a 6' booth that somewhat resembles a lighted gun cabinet would work very well. Something in a lighter wood- like oak...but it has to be lightweight because I'd be hauling it a couple of hundred miles. Maybe cover the "ceiling" where the recessed lighting would go with copper sheathing...I don't know.

I don't want anything elaborate, but something that doesn't typically look like the usual gunshow riff-raff pocketbook and Chinese knife sales guys.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I want to throw this question to the more experienced of the forum that know about this subject.

Well, my friend invited me to go to a "gun show" with him. It is your normal, everyday gun show that he attends...but the club he belongs to is putting on a display of handguns to be staffed.

My question is, I've seen some very nice booths at the NRA show for the collector's associations from different states and specialties...

Any tips on setting up a professional looking display, without looking gaudy?


I thought a 6' booth that somewhat resembles a lighted gun cabinet would work very well. Something in a lighter wood- like oak...but it has to be lightweight because I'd be hauling it a couple of hundred miles. Maybe cover the "ceiling" where the recessed lighting would go with copper sheathing...I don't know.

I don't want anything elaborate, but something that doesn't typically look like the usual gunshow riff-raff pocketbook and Chinese knife sales guys.

 

[doublesharp]

Pop for a classy table cover not an old bed sheet like I use.

The classy guys use a dark solid color cover, usually burgundy or dk blue.

Don't crowd and make your sale tags legible. Don't just mark thru the old lower price and jack it up like I do.

Now for just a show and tell display, I've seen some nice ones made by covering pegboard with whatever and using black wire tires to fasten gun to the backboard. That type display qualifies as art to me.

Bring extra food, treats, drinks, etc to share with your neighbors.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Oh, I already have some of the $400.00 nice table covers...covered.

I forgot to mention that.
I even purchased one of those nice S&W throws for a "runner" on the tablecloth- if I ever set up a "table."

One thing that gets me...is light! There is never enough light in a gun show, and even if there is light, it's florescent which is worthless for seeing details and it has been known to bleach colors on printed materials (boxes/posters/etc.).

Not that I have anything nice anyway.

 

[sipowicz]

Pick up a roll of green felt like they use on poker tables...that would look real nice....and see if you can get some prop rods....they class up the guns....seriously.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm thinking of going down to the hardware store and getting some Plexiglas, some small copper tube splices and making a few "shelves" (I think the copper or even brass would look better than painted dowels screwed into the top).

I'm scared to take my 2nd generation S&W prop rods...I'm afraid they'll get pinched by certain buddies that don't know I have them.

Guess I should order some fancy ones from Shooboy.

 

[Muddyboot]

Make sure they are in a case or tied down if a handgun. I learned the hard way last week at the Hilliard Gun show in Central Ohio, when a Bersa .45 was stolen from our table....real big trouble.

 

[Mickey D]

Originally posted by sipowicz:
Pick up a roll of green felt like they use on poker tables...that would look real nice....and see if you can get some prop rods....they class up the guns....seriously.

Getting pretty bad when Sip has to define his serious posts.