45Wheelgun
SWCA Member
Somedays you just can't seem to lose. At a recent "Friends of the NRA" banquet I managed to win two of the best guns that were raffled off. I also managed to "win" several other minor raffles as well. (Note - you can't win if you don't play)
In one of the raffle games you bought a single card from a deck of 52 for $20 (6 for $100). Once all 52 were purchased they drew a winner who got to choose from a "wall of guns", which was a group of 50 or so photographs of various firearms. I chose what I thought was the most expensive gun available - the Remington R1S. Not necessarily a gun I would have purchased on my own, but in this case the price was right. After receiving it, I must say I am very impressed with the gun and the workmanship involved in producing it.
While that was a great win, nothing can compare to the second raffle I won. They had it setup like a football pool. a 12x12 grid (144 squares) where you bought a square for $20 (6 for $100). The prize was this beautiful, engraved and gold inlaid Winchester 1873 in .357 Magnum. The photos do not do justice to the quality of the fit, finish, engraving and inlay. This gun is amazing. Made for Winchester by Miroku, the base gun has won rave reviews by the gun rags and the internet "experts". The action is buttery smooth. The bluing on this gun is some of the finest I have ever seen. The gold inlays are tastefully done and the engraving is amazing. Baron Technology Inc, of Trumbull CT did the engraving, inlay and bluing.
I'm unclear how the engraving was done, certainly by machine, but it is the most detailed and finely executed machine engraving I have ever seen. Prior to winning it, I examined the rifle and while there is no question it was machine engraved (had to be - they made 300 of them), I had a hard time believing it wasn't hand done.
It was a very timely win as Ohio changed their hunting laws this year and we can now hunt using rifles with straight walled cartridges. Since this is a "contrived collectible", I have no issue in using this to hunt with. So you may see me in the woods this year with this fine firearm.
For those unfamiliar with The Friends of the NRA, they are a non-profit group which mission is to fund local programs such as youth education, law enforcement training, hunter education, conservation, firearms and marksmanship training and safety, and much more. All funds raised stay in the local communities. While you shouldn't expect to "win all the prizes" like I did, these banquets are a great time to meet new friends, have a few drinks as well as dinner and help support the shooting sports community in your local town. I highly encourage you to attend the one in your town.
In one of the raffle games you bought a single card from a deck of 52 for $20 (6 for $100). Once all 52 were purchased they drew a winner who got to choose from a "wall of guns", which was a group of 50 or so photographs of various firearms. I chose what I thought was the most expensive gun available - the Remington R1S. Not necessarily a gun I would have purchased on my own, but in this case the price was right. After receiving it, I must say I am very impressed with the gun and the workmanship involved in producing it.
While that was a great win, nothing can compare to the second raffle I won. They had it setup like a football pool. a 12x12 grid (144 squares) where you bought a square for $20 (6 for $100). The prize was this beautiful, engraved and gold inlaid Winchester 1873 in .357 Magnum. The photos do not do justice to the quality of the fit, finish, engraving and inlay. This gun is amazing. Made for Winchester by Miroku, the base gun has won rave reviews by the gun rags and the internet "experts". The action is buttery smooth. The bluing on this gun is some of the finest I have ever seen. The gold inlays are tastefully done and the engraving is amazing. Baron Technology Inc, of Trumbull CT did the engraving, inlay and bluing.
I'm unclear how the engraving was done, certainly by machine, but it is the most detailed and finely executed machine engraving I have ever seen. Prior to winning it, I examined the rifle and while there is no question it was machine engraved (had to be - they made 300 of them), I had a hard time believing it wasn't hand done.
It was a very timely win as Ohio changed their hunting laws this year and we can now hunt using rifles with straight walled cartridges. Since this is a "contrived collectible", I have no issue in using this to hunt with. So you may see me in the woods this year with this fine firearm.
For those unfamiliar with The Friends of the NRA, they are a non-profit group which mission is to fund local programs such as youth education, law enforcement training, hunter education, conservation, firearms and marksmanship training and safety, and much more. All funds raised stay in the local communities. While you shouldn't expect to "win all the prizes" like I did, these banquets are a great time to meet new friends, have a few drinks as well as dinner and help support the shooting sports community in your local town. I highly encourage you to attend the one in your town.
