OGCA SHOW MAY 18-19, 2013

Less than two weeks after doing the Houston show we headed for the OGCA show in Wilmington, OH (6.5hrs) to their annual show and banquet.  We took our 'Winchester Lever Actions in the Service' display.  We had a lot of interest in the display mostly because of the variety of uses for these weapons and the PCMR WWII uniform displayed.  At the banquet Saturday night we were rewarded with the 'First Place Military' bronze with a plaque and monetary reward.  We were very surprised and pleased.
As usual the OGCA group did a wonderful job from the show itself to the banquet.  We will be their next year.

NRA HOUSTON ANNUAL MEETINGS 2013

We displayed for the WINCHESTER ARMS COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION  taking our Winchester Lee Straight Pull Rifle display.  We arriving in Houston on Wednesday May 1st.  We setup on Thursday May 2 starting about 9:00AM.  It was very crowded with people doing the same thing, but very well organized and things went smoothly.  We had to be at the show Friday morning at 7:30 because the judging of Collectors Exhibits started then, and it did start then!!  Although I have not heard a final count, they were expecting 80000 attendees and it sure seemed like it.  Very crowded, and very well organized.  The Collectors Corner had many visitors and it seemed like I talked to every one of them.  When I did leave the booth I had excellent help from one of the Club Members.

The display awards were presented Sunday morning at 9:30.  We were proud to win a Silver Medallion for the Maine gun and a letter of recognition for our "collection of items and ephemera related to the Winchester Lee Straight Pull Rifle Model of 1895 including cartridge boxes and rare sling".

The show ended at 5:00 Sunday afternoon and we drove out of there at 6:15 so things went well with special thanks to our very helpful fellow Club Member.  On to the OGCA show in two weeks.

Dakota Arms Collectors Feb. 9 & 10, 2013

We traveled to Sioux Falls to do this show.  The trip there and back was uneventful.  However the weather there was typical as we missed a major snow storm by a few miles.  We did our Hotchkiss display and barely won 'Best of Show' against some outstanding displays.  As usual we spent time with  great friends including a get together at one of their homes.

Our next trip will be to Houston, TX to display representing the Winchester Arms Collectors at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits May 3-5, 2013.  We will be taking our Winchester Lee Straight Pull display for all to see.  I believe that they expect an attendance of 75000.  If you see this and attend the show come tell us about it.

St. Louis Antique Arms

I forgot to enter this one!!

We displayed at the St. Louis Antique Arms show Sept. 14&15, 2012 with our Hotchkiss display.  Although it is a small show it was well attended and I had a good time talking to the visitors.  We won the 'Best of Show' trophy.

'MICHIGAN ANTIQUE ARMS' SEPT. 2012

We were invited by the Michigan Antique Arms  to do our display at their Sept. show.  The show is not a display show as such so they placed us right in front of the incoming public.  I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the many informed and inquisitive visitors.  The Club people were very accomodating and put on a quality show.  I tocl them that we would be back next year with a different display, and we will..

CODY, WY 7-2012

We left on July 3 arriving on July 4.  Cody was very busy, but no so busy we could not find a seat in the Irma's bar, and we were able to make reservations at the Proud Cut Saloon for dinner.
The Winchester Arms Collectors Show was better than ever.  We set records for the amount of tables and for the public attendance.  Visiting with friends is always the highlight of the trip.  I had a WACA Board meeting Sunday after the show so we did not leave until Monday morning arriving home late Tuesday afternoon.

We took home the 'Best of Show' traveling trophy with our new and improved Winchester Hotchkiss Display highlited by the B.B. Hothckiss 'One of Two Known'  prototype.  We will reutrn the trophy next year in Cody.

CGCA DENVER MAY 18,19,20, 2012

We had a long uneventful trip out to Denver arriving Thursday.  Setup started at 3:00 Thursday and 9:00 Friday and the show is really in full swing Friday by noon sans the public.  Saturday and Sunday were well attended. 
We again took our new Hotchkiss display and this time we remembered out table covers.  There were 75 displays in competition!!  Both the NRA and the Colorado Gun Collectors judged and presented awards.  A monstrous judging job by any standard.  We won the best 'Antique Display' award from the NRA, and one of the ten recognition awards from the club.  The Club also presents three higher awards than the ten.  Very good in our opinion considering the very stiff competition. 
Good times were had with out friends the Vandersnicks' and the Wales'.  Larry Wales won his division, Classic Arms, with the NRA and one of the higher awards with the Club.

Leaving Denver Sunday afternoon, we drove 200 miles to Goodland, KS, then drove home the next day.  Major traffic jams in MO caused us to be 1-1/2 hours late arriving home, but without incident.  We have already made our room and table reservations for this trip next year.
A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!!