What is your favorite gun collecting or gun show memory?

SAFireman said:
I have two...both with my dad.

First one was when I was pretty young....we used to go to a show that had antique military vehicles on display (in addition to guns, knives, and other fun stuff). I remember climbing all over those jeeps, trucks, and everything else - I can still remember the smell of the old machines and the OD canvas that covered the crew areas and sensitive tools, bags.

Second one was quite a bit more recently. We had been hitting the local shows pretty hard. I had gotten my dad involved with this forum and his gun collecting interests had drifted to S&W. Both he and I were on the hunt for all things S&W.

Neither of us had owned (or seen in person) a Registered Magnum or Triple Lock. While at a local show, one of our buddies who has a table had a nice RM. I was a good son, and called my dad over to look at it. He bought it after a succession of phone calls to the boss lady to make sure that it was OK, and had to return the next day with a check.

We had a deal, I would be his 'eyes' and help him find and acquire his first RM.....BUT, I got to shoot it first :D

We have since 'bird-dogged' several very nice guns for one-another and still continue the tradition. Occasionally, he sneaks one by me, but that's OK.

We have a big show coming up later this year, and I can't wait to walk through the wares and see what we can uncover.
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This is my favorite Gun Show story yet! I am envious of you for getting to spend such good times with your Dad. I was barely 30 when I lost my Dad, and had been away from home pretty much since I was 18. Cherish those times spent together, and make more if you can. ;)
 
Here's another gun show story. I've told it before on the forum, but it's worth repeating.

I was exhibiting at a local Antique Arms show with my two table partners (a BIL and a friend). A young man, probably in his 30's, walked up holding a pistol case and asked if any of us were interested in a Glock 22.

My partners were closest and had first dibs. They both turned it down, without looking at it or asking the price. I already had one at home and had no intention of buying another, but I was bored and like looking at guns. It turned out to be in nice condition, especially considering that it was previously the property of the Detroit Police Department. Mostly out of curiosity, I asked what he was trying to get for it. His reply was a rather tentative; "$150". :eek:

I immediately started laughing and shaking my head. My buddies would have bought it for that in a heartbeat, but they dismissed it out of hand. I didn't need two, but the price was so ridiculously low I couldn't turn it down. Before I had a chance to respond, the seller lowered his price.
"Is that too much… How about $100?".

I've never seen my buddies with such disgusted looks on their faces! :p

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Haven't ever been to many gun shows, not much locally. But gun auctions, seem to be several a year within an hours drive.
It can get interesting being an older woman at an auction full of old codgers, rednecks and young wannabes.

I often have trouble getting an auctioneer to recognize me as a serious bidder. The worst case was several years ago. A local FFL dealer was retiring and auctioning his remaining inventory. There was an HK91 and an HK93, both pre-ban guns. At that time they were worth 2 to 3 grand.
I had a pawnshop customer that wanted them but couldn't attend the auction. He asked if I would try to buy them for him, $100 finders fee if I got them for his price which was $2000 on one and $2500 on the other. Sure, I knew his money was good. At the auction, they would not take my bid attempts. The guns sold for $1600 and $1800. The FFL dealer knew me and saw what was happening. He yelled at the auctioneers and gave them a real piece of his mind. Cost the retiring FFL money, cost the auction co money, I didn't the the $100 and my customer didn't get the guns.

That was the extreme case but often have stand up and wave both arms to get attention even if I'm only 6 feet away. That happened this past Sunday.

These guys need to realize that women control over 50% of the wealth in the US.
 
SAFireman said:
I have two...both with my dad.
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Our dad used to take my brother and I to gun shows starting when we were little boys. It was really a big deal when we went to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association shows in Columbus and outside Cleveland. I remember one show in Columbus back when I was in college. A gentleman was displaying his beautifully engraved S&W and literally laid it in my hand. Of course, as a college student I didn't have any money for buying guns. Pop saw all of this going on and suddenly realized aloud, "You're old enough to buy one of these now!"
 
I have many gun show memories, but the one that stands out was sometime in the early 1970s, passing up Ian Fleming's Ruger Mk 1 .22 Pistol at an OGCA show in Columbus, complete with a package of documentation. I don't remember the asking price, but it was within my fairly modest means at the time, less than $1000.
 
Five years ago I got up early and drove three hours to the Va. Gun Collectors Assoc. show in northern Va to get there at opening. (Not the usual big Civic Center Type Show). My first time there. While awaiting in line for the opening I was talking to another guy. I told him I was specifically looking for a 4" pinned barrel nickel Model 10. He told me which table to go to. The vendor specialized in revolvers and had two tables full of classic S&W and Colts. There it was. Negotiated a great deal and was on the way home before 9 am. Unfortunately I recently hear that this particular vendor had passed.
 

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I've had a table at the local bi-annual gun show for over 35+ years. In all that time I've only had one seller back out on a deal but that's not a favorite memory.

A few years ago at that same gun show a new-to-me FFL had a table full of cased Browning rifles and shotguns, and he had a TV set up with a slideshow of the firearms he couldn't bring down with him. He also had a spreadsheet of the firearms and listed prices.

Turns out that a pretty well known local collector had passed away and his widow, who absolutely hated guns, had wanted the local police to come and take away the 400+ (!) guns that were stacked willy-nilly all throughout her house. Somehow this FFL was tipped off and he arranged to sell the collection for the widow, and she didn't care how much she got for the guns--she just didn't want them around any more.

I bought a couple of engraved Browning .22 rifles, an engraved stainless PPK, a Registered Magnum, several cased Mauser Parabellums and a few P08s, some Savage .32s, a few other Smith & Wessons. Nearly 25 guns altogether. It took nearly a year to process all of the paperwork, but it was worth it!

Of course, this was a bittersweet "wake up" call for me--since that day I have vowed to sell off my accumulation (my "pile" of guns) once I retire.
 
Not all gun show stories but three gun buying stories. The first story takes place during the ammo crisis back in the 08's era. My brother and I were crus'n the show in Puyallup, Washington and came upon a table of ammo. a brick of .22LR was selling for something like 60.00. We both turned it down but later he went back and bought two bricks.

Second story involves a 4" Model 57 P&R. He told me about it and told me the price. I jumped out of my seat in the truck stop and yelled at him over the phone, BUY IT I'LL PAY YOU BACK. No box, no tools, but for $400.00 I'd hold his mask while he says his prayers in church.

The third story takes place in 1972 and I was only an E4 in the Coast Guard and didn't make a lot of money back then. The story involves a Model 57M Marlin lever action .22Mag rifle. Tubular magazine, 15 rounds, and a nearly dried out stock. My first wife and I were walking the sidewalk near where we had an apartment in Long Beach, CA. We rented the apartment for $125.00 a month and with groceries and utilities my budget was near stretched to the limit but I had saved a few dollars working a second job in a Shell service station (remember them). We walked into The local Philips 66 service station a couple of blocks from the apartment that was also a second hand store and we were looking for something for the kitchen. At the counter I noticed the owner had a rifle case on the back shelf. I asked what it was and how much was he asking?

He got it out and showed me this rifle that looked like a high powered rifle with a beautifull black walnut stock, fine bluing with no white metal showing except for the bolt, without a sling, or scope, but an otherwise fine looking gun. He was only asking $45.00. I had $15.00 and asked if he'd hold it for me until my next payday. Sure says he, so the following month I took home this fine looking rifle. It now sports a 3X9 Bushnell duplex scope.
 

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About '93 I was fresh out of law school and dirt poor. My best friend from undergrad called me and talked me into going to a show down in Wichita at the Coliseum. As we were heading over, he asked if I was looking for anything. I'd had a hankering for some time for a .375 H&H in hopes of doing some Alaska hunting (still hoping to do it someday). At the time, Ruger #1s in that round were usually cheaper than bolt guns. I told him that was my search, noting that the chances were slim of finding such a rifle in Kansas. As luck would have it, we found one for $400 in beautiful shape. That was just a tad less than the jingle in my wallet so it came home.

A few years later the same friend and I went on a hog hunt in Texas. He took a .444 Marlin and I planned on using a .44 Bisley Blackhawk, though I took the .375 as a spare. Once we unloaded, he discovered he'd left his ammo at home so I let him use the .375. Got two nice boars with it.

He hounded me wanting to buy that rifle. About a year later, I'd picked up a Ruger 77 RSM .375 H&H and finally relented and sold him the rifle at the same $400 price, with a caveat that if he were ever to sell it, I got first dibs at the same price.

In 2019 he called and said he had a couple of tickets to fly in Doc, the B-29 in Wichita, and did I want to come down and take a flight. Of course I said yes and we had a grand time. Back at his house, we were discussing guns and he said it's time you got that Ruger back. Per our agreement, I paid him the $400. We parted, planning some deer hunts the following fall. A couple of weeks later, his brother in law called me, telling me my friend had passed away unexpectedly at 52. The Ruger won't be sold again in my lifetime. Too many great memories of my friend.
 
I remember so many years ago a place called Gibraltar trade center. Somewhere in Michigan, My father took me to a Gun show there and the only memorie I have of that place was a big sign shaped like a man from the 20s, the super sweet rotary rubber band gun mad out of wood and a massive 12 gage revolver.

I remember the thought I had on the revo would be insane to shoot...

Anyway I'm a father now and my boy is already getting into guns of course teaching him the proper way... I long for the day I can take him to a show and keep the tradition...
 
Twenty years ago I was at an Atlanta, GA gun show. I wanted a M586 / M686 in each barrel length, and didn't care if it was blue or stainless. I have some cash (enough for 1 gun).

A person has a M586 blue, 8-3/8" barrel with scope rings, and inexpensive scope on it. A short discussion and I have enough money left for lunch, he has $400 -- I thought a fair price. I continue on browsing the tables.

At a dealer with 6 tables, I find a M686 with finger groove combats and 2-1/2" barrel. Another short discussion, $350 price, and I will use a credit card. He offers "Mail me a check to my address when you get home. I have all your personal information, County sheriff will arrest you for theft if you don't pay." We complete the transaction, I leave with the M686, his business address, and mail him a check when I get home from the gun show. I also called him Monday morning to confirm "The check is in the mail." He called me Wednesday night to confirm receiving my check. I thanked him for the sale.
 
A few years back, a close friend enjoyed going to gun shows...the local one, a bi-monthly event, left a lot to be desired...crowded aisles, chinese knives and cheap jewelry and people running around wearing utilities selling matty mattels...He had recently undergone surgery for lung cancer and I would walk out in front of Him and slightly to the left to keep People from bumping into him....a common occurrence at shows with narrow aisles.


I said to him, let's go to the Lakeland Collector Show...He had never been and I planned the Trip. I had him meet me at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast and while paying the bill, asked for the Mgr. and asked if it was ok to leave his Truck there...He advised no problem....3 hrs. later we arrived and and parked in the controlled access parking lot that was being patrolled by Civic Center employees in Golf Carts... We went in and there were Two huge Auditoriums with lots of space between the aisles....The Colt Collectors had a couple tables of SA Revolvers with letters and the Browning Collectors had tables of Belgian Browning's including Safari, Medallion and Olympian Grade Rifles in fitted Factory luggage cases... Tables of Randall knives...They had several padded benches outside the Auditoriums in the Hallway for Him to sit and rest.. They also had clean restrooms constantly serviced by the Centers employees and an indoor snack bar with plenty of seats.....There were a lot of people there, one guy carrying a Lever action rifle walked by me while we were sitting by the snack bar... I asked him if he just bought it, He said "No, it's for sale". I asked if I could look at it and it was a Winchester 9422 XTR...I asked his price and he said 200.... I asked if He minded me checking the serial..He responded "go ahead" www.pas.fdle.state.fl.us. It's the Database for stolen guns in Fl. Anyway, came back clean and I brought it home... 98% mfg. in 1980 with a Steel mag tube....Walking out the Show wore him out...On the way home, He said He loved the show and next time, wanted to get a Motel so we could do both days there....Never happened due to health issues... Last Show was @ the Fairgrounds... One large metal Building and unattended parking lot.... He was on a Cane by than and we spent maybe an hour there with Me left front so He wouldn't get crashed into by inattentive people.... When we left, I told him to follow me and about halfway across the Causeway, I pulled in at some picnic tables...We sat on a Table under some shade and watched the water....He passed a few months later.
 
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Mike 139 said:
A few years back, a close friend enjoyed going to gun shows...the local one, a bi-monthly event, left a lot to be desired...crowded aisles, chinese knives and cheap jewelry and people running around wearing utilities selling matty mattels...He had recently undergone surgery for lung cancer and I would walk out in front of Him and slightly to the left to keep People from bumping into him....a common occurrence at shows with narrow aisles.


I said to him, let's go to the Lakeland Collector Show...He had never been and I planned the Trip. I had him meet me at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast and while paying the bill, asked for the Mgr. and asked if it was ok to leave his Truck there...He advised no problem....3 hrs. later we arrived and and parked in the controlled access parking lot that was being patrolled by Civic Center employees in Golf Carts... We went in and there were Two huge Auditoriums with lots of space between the aisles....The Colt Collectors had a couple tables of SA Revolvers with letters and the Browning Collectors had tables of Belgian Browning's including Safari, Medallion and Olympian Grade Rifles in fitted Factory luggage cases... Tables of Randall knives...They had several padded benches outside the Auditoriums in the Hallway for Him to sit and rest.. They also had clean restrooms constantly serviced by the Centers employees and an indoor snack bar with plenty of seats.....There were a lot of people there, one guy carrying a Lever action rifle walked by me while we were sitting by the snack bar... I asked him if he just bought it, He said "No, it's for sale". I asked if I could look at it and it was a Winchester 9422 XTR...I asked his price and he said 200.... I asked if He minded me checking the serial..He responded "go ahead" www.pas.fdle.state.fl.us. It's the Database for stolen guns in Fl. Anyway, came back clean and I brought it home... 98% mfg. in 1980 with a Steel mag tube....Walking out the Show wore him out...On the way home, He said He loved the show and next time, wanted to get a Motel so we could do both days there....Never happened due to health issues... Last Show was @ the Fairgrounds... One large metal Building and unattended parking lot.... He was on a Cane by than and we spent maybe an hour there with Me left front so He wouldn't get crashed into by inattentive people.... When we left, I told him to follow me and about halfway across the Causeway, I pulled in at some picnic tables...We sat on a Table under some shade and watched the water....He passed a few months later.
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We use to go to the Lakeland Show three times a year. Best show was in January as it was the biggest (600+ tables). The April and September shows were smaller (400+ tables). Have been twice since they moved it to the Airport, not as well managed and was way to crowded. We also do a three hour drive one way. Shows here are smaller, but much closer.
 
Went to the Billings show a couple years back. Looking for a 16-4. 3rd table in had a 6 inch one at a really high price of 1800. Dropped it to 1600. Told him I had to think on that. Couple of aisles over spied a 4 inch one...exactly what I wanted. No tag so asked the fellow what he was asking. 675 he said. Only time I never dickered on a price. No box but truly looked unfired. At a Bozeman show 3 yrs ago found a 27-2 3 1/2 inch Had an airweight kit gun I paid 150 for at a local auction 2 weeks before. Traded for the 27 with a bit of money to boot. Good shooter too
 
I remember gun shows back in the 90's. Lots more individuals with tables. People who brought in trade items would gather in the middle of the room to look over what was available. Older guys would get a table at the concession stand, get a Coke and burger and lay their guns on the table for all to see.
People were friendly, would talk about favorite guns, swap hunting or target shooting stories, there was a feeling of a party to it all.
Today's shows seem to want to exclude the private sellers, it has more of a trade show feel now. Lots of gun stores and pawn shops, the guns are just merchandise for sale, like the flavored popcorn, beef jerky, and "tactical" sun glasses. Although the sun glasses booth usually has the hottest sales girls.
 
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