Let's go to the UGCA gun show!
Before we look at the displays, lets see some items that showed up with dealers or the guests.
      Here are some unusual items that attracted a lot of attention:

(left) Everyone is familiar with barrels that have round bores. A fedw people have heard of the "Whitworth" rifles that used a six sided (or hexagonal) bore and either a hexagonal bullet, or a cylindrical bullet. One collector brought out this rifle that has a four side or square bore! It is actually not "twisted" but is straight. Rifling was initially adopted to allow a gun to be fired longer without cleaning by allowing the residue to build up in the grooves. It was only incidentally that thye discovered that if the rifling was cut in a spiral, it would greatly increase accuracy. (right) Everyone loves a cannon, and this one was made by Winchester about 1898. These were used for patriotic salutes, and also for signalling at yachting events.

Everyone has seen the rubber recoil pads to absorb the "kick" when a gun fires. Here is something that someone invented long before the rubber pads became available. This is a spring that is bent over at the bottom to provide a buttplate that will bend when the gun is fired, and the upper tang slides in a slot on the top. Pretty neat! No one here had seen one of these before.

Did you ever wonder about all those old flintlock rifles you saw in the movies? Well, most of them are trapdoor .45-70 Springfields, with brass bands added ,and the regular hammer has been replaced with a large flintlock looking hammer, and a breas frizzen assembly added. One of our dealers had this.

    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.

Variations of the 1851 Sharps **BEST OF SHOW AWARD WINNER!**

      Just three guns inthis display, but all are rare, and one is a real gem that was discovered on the internet. That one is one of 150 M1851 Sharps made for the U.S. military, and today only 15 were know to exist before this one was found. The accessories and ammunition int he display added a lot to the educational value.

Model 1851 Sporting Carbine

1851 Sharps Sporting rifle with tang sight and special order extra heavy barrel.

Model 1851 Military Carbine (one of 16 known)


Ammunition and a loose lock, showing the use of Maynard tape primer ignition system.

Arming the U.S. Navy **Second Place Award Winner!**

      A great selection of arms made especially for use by the U.S. Navy (and the very proud Marines who are really part of the Deaprtment of the Navy, not matter what they tell you!).

A Selection of WW1 Uniforms, Weapons, Equipment and Related Material ** Third Place Award Winner!**

      One of our members from Idaho takes a break from his farming and ranching to enjoy collecting these items. We sure enjoy him coming to our shows, and he amazes people with not only his displays, but his wearing of uniforms of the period. This time he was in a WW1 Russian uniform. All he had for change in his pockets was pre-1918 Russian coins, so we cannot figure out if he bribed the judges. Great display!

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A Target Shooter's Dream

      What a beautiful rifle. Made by Sharps using their last "Borchardt" type action, this had a super accurate barrel made by legendary machinist Harry M. Pope installed by Stevens. Note the "false muzzle" which allows the shooter to load the bullet from the muzzle and push it back to rest agasint the mouth of the cartridge case. This gave better accuracy than when loaded into a case, and then "jumping" until the rifling engaged it, leaving minute damage to the exterior of the bullet that could hurt accuracy. This also features a schutaen stock, schutzen buttplate,a palm rest (for use when shooting in the "offhand" or standing position. Complete with some of the tools needed for loading ammunition. Don ONLY collects rifles in the caliber that this one is- .32-40.

Marlin Revolvers

      Most people have heard of Marlin's lever action rifles, but few are familiar with Marlin revolvers. Here are examples of all except five of the models they made.

Some other Interesting People

Jim- an\ accomplished artist, and a M3 "Grease gun" (just like the one the Gunny used for painting on "Mail Call.")

Friends of NRA doanted $1,360 to Wahsatch Shooters for Remage improvements.

Got Guns? Wana keep them? Wanna have fun? NRA is gonna get you to sign up, or show up at the Friends of NRA events coming up soon.

And, our friends from the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.

Civil War Living History

      Many serious gun collectors start off with an interest in living history. Here some folks are explaining things to our visitors.

Hunting Arms 1490-1850

      WOW! An impressive display of arms from 1490 (a bross barrel matchlock with a dragon mouth muzzle). There were also examples of wheel lock ignition, and percussion. Note that one of the rifles has a barrel with a SQUARE bore! These were on exhibit courtesy of a collector who wishes to remain anonymous.

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