BruceB
08-21-2011, 09:53 PM
The BRGS is always worth a visit. Always the same....but always different.
On this weekend, half-a-dozen members from this site made a rendezvous and enjoyed the whole scene once more. Some of us bought "new" firearms, but ALL of us had one very good time.
Gun types seem to run in very-definite cycles at the BRGS.
On this occasion, I saw at least a dozen Drillings (three-barrel rshotgun/rifle combo guns) and I don't recall ever seeing even one at previous shows.
Mauser Broomhandles were much in evidence...one gent had two milk crates full of jumbled-together Broomhandles...at least forty of 'em, I'd say. Dunno if they were Chinese or Spanish copies, or the real thing, but there they were.
A lot of nice S&W and Colt revolvers were available, of all vintages from blackpowder days forward. Prices were respectable in most cases, WITHOUT engaging in heated debate with the dealers. Many Colt 1909s and New Service revolvers were looking for new homes.
Trapdoor Springfields were plentiful...I was seriously tempted by one in very nice condition, perfect bore and as-new bayonet for *asking* $1350. Maybe the gent had some wiggle room, maybe not. Nice, though!
Anyone looking to outfit a new hunter with a decent bolt-action sporter in a good cartridge can easily do it for less than $500....WITH a reasonable glass sight. I rediscovered the fact that I am an utter sucker for garden-variety Mauser-98 sporters from mid-century or earlier. I didn't buy any, but my goodness there were lots of them!
Along with all the wonderful "stuff" available, there is also the great entertainment of just watching the thousands of fellow devotees...some are VERY MUCH worth the time spent in observation.
As I get older, and my feets need more-frequent breaks, I greatly appreciate the several bars that are thoughtfully provided. A little beer seems to lubricate the proceedings very nicely.
If you can attend one of these Shows, held three or four times per year, you'd find it very much worth the effort.
I'm not widely-experienced in such shows, but from what I've read this is a good one.
On this weekend, half-a-dozen members from this site made a rendezvous and enjoyed the whole scene once more. Some of us bought "new" firearms, but ALL of us had one very good time.
Gun types seem to run in very-definite cycles at the BRGS.
On this occasion, I saw at least a dozen Drillings (three-barrel rshotgun/rifle combo guns) and I don't recall ever seeing even one at previous shows.
Mauser Broomhandles were much in evidence...one gent had two milk crates full of jumbled-together Broomhandles...at least forty of 'em, I'd say. Dunno if they were Chinese or Spanish copies, or the real thing, but there they were.
A lot of nice S&W and Colt revolvers were available, of all vintages from blackpowder days forward. Prices were respectable in most cases, WITHOUT engaging in heated debate with the dealers. Many Colt 1909s and New Service revolvers were looking for new homes.
Trapdoor Springfields were plentiful...I was seriously tempted by one in very nice condition, perfect bore and as-new bayonet for *asking* $1350. Maybe the gent had some wiggle room, maybe not. Nice, though!
Anyone looking to outfit a new hunter with a decent bolt-action sporter in a good cartridge can easily do it for less than $500....WITH a reasonable glass sight. I rediscovered the fact that I am an utter sucker for garden-variety Mauser-98 sporters from mid-century or earlier. I didn't buy any, but my goodness there were lots of them!
Along with all the wonderful "stuff" available, there is also the great entertainment of just watching the thousands of fellow devotees...some are VERY MUCH worth the time spent in observation.
As I get older, and my feets need more-frequent breaks, I greatly appreciate the several bars that are thoughtfully provided. A little beer seems to lubricate the proceedings very nicely.
If you can attend one of these Shows, held three or four times per year, you'd find it very much worth the effort.
I'm not widely-experienced in such shows, but from what I've read this is a good one.