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 are two neat items that showed up. Two absolutely fantastic early European arms were brought in by a member, but we did not get photos of those. One was a double barrel French flintlock shotgun circa 1750-1790, with Damascus, OCTAGON barrels, with a flat top between them. Lavishly decorated with silver wire inlay, and engraving and a great rendition of the goddess of the hunt- Diana with a dog at her feet. The other was a German made rifle circa 1760-1795 made with a Spanish made barrel dated 1719.

However, we did get photos of two other neat items that showed up. One is an item that was recently brought home by a military member who served in Afghanistan. Most people thought it was a British military musket made in 1861. However, closer examination showed that this is one of the copies made in the border region of Pakistan/Afghanistan. Close inspection of the lock markings show that they did not quite get the hang of spelling "ENFIELD" and the large knot in this wood used for the stock forward of the lock would never have been accepted by the British authorities. Also, the rear sight is a simple type that was used on special "Colonial" pattern muskets to be issued to less trustworthy troops. However, these imitations sold well to the natives so they could engage in endless wars with each other and foreign invaders for decades.

Another great item is a "Eprouvet" or powder tester. These are not too uncommon, but they are not seen very often made with percussion locks, and this one is marked "U.S." and has two inspector cartouches, RPB and JH (or JCC). Who, what, where? We are still researching this one!

Colt .22 caliber Single Action, Frontier Scout, New Frontier and Peacemaker
    Jimmy's superb collection and great presentation walked away with two awards. Guns don;t have to be 100 years old to be collectible, and most of these were made since 1960.

A Bit of Scottish...
   A wonderful collection of pistols, knives and swords made in Scotland from the 18th and early 19th century. Scottish pistols were unusual in their use of all metal stocks. No real practical advantage, but more of a fashion preference, sort of like big fins on the cars of the 1950s.

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    John gave us an interesting look at an aspect of U.S. military arms often overlooked by collectors. This included foreign designed rifles made for Russia, but used by the U.S. British designed rifles made on U.S. contract but never intended for U.S. issue, training and survival guns, and three models of shotguns showing the trench, riot and training types of shotguns procured during WW2. Complete text of this display and detailed photos are available here.