Just a slightly out of text plug - but everyone truely interested in collecting and history of firearms should look into joining a local collector's
organization - it can be very beneficial to promoting the hobby and furthering your own data collecting for your collection.
Locally, we have the St. Louis Antique Arms Association. We have just finished a gun show this past weekend that was very successful for the club - we set a record attendance through the door, which helps the cause of the club. We hold 3 gun shows per year, and the funds from the shows help to further the club. Besides the 3 gunshows, we hold a monthly meeting (first Tuesday of every month) where everyone can get together, show off their stuff, share information, and basically have a good time. We have a program set for each month on a certain subject where we have a knowledgeable person on the subject do a presentation, and everyone can share information. One month may be Mausers of WWI, next month Colt collectables, etc. (looks like I will be tagged in May for a presentation on Spanish handguns), and one or two times per year we will hold an auction at the meetings. Initial membership is $25, with $15 per year renewal. Membership gets you into all the gunshows for free, plus the monthly meetings.
Our September gunshow every year is also our display show - members are offered the opportunity to set up a display of their collection (and get their table free). Awards are given for the best displays.
SLAAA is a non-profit organization. If we have a really good year, we contribute the overage to local youth shooting sports organizations, the NRA, etc. For St Louis folks, check out http://www.stlarms.com/
Be pro-active - look into your local organization today!
Locally, we have the St. Louis Antique Arms Association. We have just finished a gun show this past weekend that was very successful for the club - we set a record attendance through the door, which helps the cause of the club. We hold 3 gun shows per year, and the funds from the shows help to further the club. Besides the 3 gunshows, we hold a monthly meeting (first Tuesday of every month) where everyone can get together, show off their stuff, share information, and basically have a good time. We have a program set for each month on a certain subject where we have a knowledgeable person on the subject do a presentation, and everyone can share information. One month may be Mausers of WWI, next month Colt collectables, etc. (looks like I will be tagged in May for a presentation on Spanish handguns), and one or two times per year we will hold an auction at the meetings. Initial membership is $25, with $15 per year renewal. Membership gets you into all the gunshows for free, plus the monthly meetings.
Our September gunshow every year is also our display show - members are offered the opportunity to set up a display of their collection (and get their table free). Awards are given for the best displays.
SLAAA is a non-profit organization. If we have a really good year, we contribute the overage to local youth shooting sports organizations, the NRA, etc. For St Louis folks, check out http://www.stlarms.com/
Be pro-active - look into your local organization today!
