Here are some samples of the
educational displays presented by UGCA members.
We hope you enjoy them. Part of the pleasure of
gun collecting is learning about the historical, technical, and artistic
features associated with firearms. Gun shows provide members, and
the general public, a chance to appreciate these aspects.
If you collect guns,
we invite you to join UGCA.
Membership benefits include
for free admission to all UGCA shows, reduced table rates, and a great
newsletter.
Click
here for membership information and application
Copyright 2003 by Utah Gun Collectors Association. All rights reserved. Box 711161, Salt Lake City, UT 84171
Let's go to the UGCA gun show!
Lots of people bring old guns or related items to our show for free appraisals or to sell. Maybe you want to do this at the next show.
Here is an example of a really strange gun brought in by one visitor. It is about 8 feet long, and was made in India. Although in the traditional style used in the 17th and 18th centuries, it is probably something made in the last 50 years either for the tourist trade, or for decorative or symbolic use. Value estimates were mostly in the several hundred dollar range, although everyone thought it was really neat.
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World
War I Arms & Equipment
Gus. B had a really great display, both in terms of the material presented,
and also the way in which it was displayed. And, this is only the second time
he has done a display!
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Three of the four mannequins showing the uniforms and equipment of German,
English, American and French troops.
Click here for detailed
instructions how to make these mannequins yourself!
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Added displays of arms, field gear, souvenirs and related items, some of it
very rare.
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A visitor checking the detailed folders (shown at the right) explaining the
details of the uniforms. These are mounted on topof barbed wire stakes (and
the wire kept curious youngsters out of trouble!) This is one of the most
innovative displays we have seen in a long time. Contact us if you would like
info on how Gun made the mannequins.
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Gus himself, standing guard at the end of the display. He also won first prize
in our costume contest!
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John showed examples of all the different rifles and clips used during this time, including a captured Spanish Mauser of the type that inspired the M1903 Springfield.
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Left- 1895 Winchester Lee Navy 6mm rifle and its "en bloc" clip,
and a very scarce 1898 Krag rifle with the Parkhurst Loading Attachment, one
of 100 made in 1900. Attempts to adapt the Krag to clip loading were dropped
as work was underway on what became the M1903 Springfield.
Right- M1 Garand rifle with 8 round "en block" clip, used because
Army specifications called for a clip of less than 10 rounds, and opposed
a detachable box magazine. The rifle is a scarce Air Force Premium Grade National
Match rifle. Below is a Johnson Model 1941 rifle, adopted in small numbers.
Using the same stripper clip as the M1903 and M1917 rifles, this could also
be loaded with single rounds to "top off" the magazine while the
rifle was still loaded, ready to fire.
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Left- A Spanish Model 1893 Mauser rifle, one of 12 captured in the Philippines,
and marked with the name of the Navy officer who captured it. The Spanish
Mauser provided the inspiration for the stripper clips used in the M1903 Springfield.
Right- M1903 Springfield, showing clip in position, along with box of ammunition
already packed in stripper clips. Case above has five variations of Springfield
stripper clips, but you could probably find several more.
A rare arsenal cutaway of the Model 1917 rifle showing how clip was used,
and another box of ammunition packed in clips, this one specifically mentioning
that it is for the M1917 and M1903 rifles.
Another cutaway, this time the M1 Carbine (but a copy, not an original arsenal
product) showing the use of stripper clips with a detachable box magazine.
Although the carbine was widely used in WW2, most ammunition was issued in
50 round boxes, as stripper clips were not adopted until the middle of 1945.
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For the Cartridge Collector-
Ray also brought along some seldom seen items- used in Civil War carbines,
the Billinghurst Requa volley gun, the 1 inch Gatling Gun, some buffalo hunting
cartridges and several African big game cartridges, among others.
Old
Toy Guns
This respected anonymous collector has an exceptionally fine collection
of "old toy guns" including cap guns of all ages, from the late
1800s up through the late 1900s. Everyone really enjoyed seeing these fine
items, and their owner. THANK YOU! Lots of people were wishing they had taken
better care of their toys, or kept them!
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Ladies
& Their Guns
Glenda M. showed us the feminine side of gun collecting
with this great display of the sorts of guns that ladies (both genteel and otherwise)
might have owned or carried. The photos really do not do justice to all the
neat items included here, both arms and related ladylike antiques. Glenda and
her husband, Dan, entered the costume contest as well. All in all a fun weekend
for everyone!
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The
Longer Long Rifle
This is a superb collection of rifles which were used
to provide food, protection and sport. Many consider the "Kentucky"
rifle to be a uniquely American form of folk art, as well as a great example
of the mixing of the skills of the blacksmith and furniture maker with additional
talent needed to be a gunsmith. Congratulations to George N. for his award
and thank you for sharing this with the public.
Civil
War Stuff
A really nice collection of Civil War arms and related
objects. Note that the owner is being assisted by one of our younger gun collectors.
(Read more about this young man in the Ogden Standard Examiner story on the
gun Show)
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Moore
Revolvers
A great display of all the variations
of this innovative revolver made during and shortly after the Civil War. Most
people have never heard of them, but they were quite popular back then. FInding
one in the original flimsy cardboard box is a real special accomplishment,
and even more, the original instruction sheet!
An impressive collection showing some of the amazing variety that can be found in this popular collecting specialty. This was the first display by this collector, and we hope to see more in the future.
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Prehistoric
Artifacts of the Great Basin and South West
Gilmer shared this important collection of ancient artifacts which includes
weapons, household utensils, and other items that people had to make themselves
since there were no WalMarts nearby.
Military Weapons and Tools with Sharp Edges- Revolutionary War to Desert Storm
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National
Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
Always welcome additions to our shows
these fols still shoot the type of guns that many of our members collect!
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AT THE NEXT UGCA SHOW!