Welcome
to the
Utah Gun Collectors Association
January 2003 Gun Show
"The ORIGINAL Ogden Gun Show" Our 42nd year of Quality Gun Shows in Utah
 Click here for date and location of our next picnic and historic arms shooting session

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.



Now- on to the Great Displays!
Click on the title to go directly to one of these displays or enjoy scrolling down the page to see them all.
 
World War 1 Arms & Equipment
Some Old Winchesters
Ladies and Their Guns
Clip Loaded U.S. Military Rifles 1895-1945
Longer Long Rifles
Civil War Stuff
Winchester- Mr. Browning's Rifle
Buffalo Bill's WIld West Co.
U.S. Soldier WW2
Old Toy Guns
Western Military History Assn
Prehistoric Artifacts


People's Choice Award Winner!
and
 Best of Show Award Winner !

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!


 Second Place Award Winner !
Clip Loaded U.S. Military Rifles 1895-1945

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.


 Third Place Award Winner !
Winchester and Mr. Browning's Gun
   The famous 1885 single shot rifle, sometimes known as the "High Wall" or "Low Wall" was made in calibers ranging from .22 rimfire to .50 centerfire. The highlight of this fine exhibit was one of the very earliest single shot rifles, made by John M. Browning in his own shop, right here in Ogden where we hold our shows. He also brought an interesting array of early reloading tools, popular with shooters.

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Some Old Winchesters
    Sure, like classic Packards and Bentleys are "old cars". Ray shared these beautiful examples of early Winchesters, including a scarce and valuable Henry rifle as used during the Civil War, and several variations of the Model 1866, often called "yellow boy" due to their brass frames. The other fine guns included a fancy deluxe 1876 "Centennial" rifle and the classic 1873 model that "won the west." Very nice!

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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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Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company
    Featured an original letter from William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody to a friend in the U.S. describing his Wild West Show's tour in England, along with related artifacts.





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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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U.S. Solider- WW2
    Brent brought out this fine display to honor our WW2 vets with a sample of the arms and equipment they used to defend freedom. In case you are wondering about the Thompson submachine gun, yes it is legal for private citizens to own these. Prior to purchasing one (from a specially licensed dealer) you need to pass a FBI background check, get approval from local law enforcement officials, pay a hefty transfer tax, and wait a long time.


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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!




Evolution of the Colt Dragoon
    Jimmy C. hard at work educating the public on how these early revolvers played such an important role in firearms evolution. Note the classy workmanship of his display, truly museum quality.


Luger Pistols

    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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Utah Shooting Sports Council and Sheriff Richard Mack
Gun rights advocacy groups are fighting to protect the rights of all gun owners. Gone are the days when the anti-gun crowd could pick off one segment at a time. Attempts to ban any gun are really directed at ALL guns, old or new, small or large, cheap or expensive. Gun owners are increasingly active in politics, and actively work to pass good gun laws and fight bad ones. Everyone should belong to the NRA or GOA, and Utah gun enthusiasts should belong to USSC. Unlike the gun grabbers who are funded by Internet billionaires, gun rights are protected mainly by hard working volunteers.



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

   Once again the Western Military History Association brought out some of their holdings for the public to enjoy. Everything from mess kit utensils to swords and shovels, tomahawks (both Revolutionary War and Vietnam War) to bayonets and survival tools.


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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!


Costume Contest Participants and Winner!



WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AT THE NEXT UGCA SHOW!



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