Oregon Arms Collector's Show

[Steve Richards]

The Oregon Arms Collectors just had their big anual show and it had some very impressive displays of Lugers and a Borchartd.

I had a chance to chat with Dwight Grubber which is always nice.

One display had 4 boxed carbines and a couple out of the cases. The next table had the Borchartd and more Lugers. Dwight can give an accurate count of the models but it was nice just to see all the very fine examples even if they are WAY out of my price range. Another table had a 1900 that was refinished. He also had an intersting single-shot .22 that had been made out of a Luger by a Denver gunsmith as a project for a class that he taught.

All-in-all it was very impressive.

I went back on Sunday to buy an Astra but that person did not bother to show for the second day. That can be frustrating when dealers do not stick around for the entire show! They also lost a sale to another dealer.

Steve

[alvin]

Originally posted by Steve Richards
They also lost a sale to another dealer.

Curious. How many members here are dealers or importers?

[Edward Tinker]

alvin, I am presuming you are talking about the Portland, Oregon show specifically? (I can't see what area of the country you are from since You've left that blank in your profile)


No matter what, I have found that many dealers set up at shows are normal 8-5 guys, some with licenses, some without (even if they have a dealers license and operate part time or out of their home) and at a Arms Collectors assoc show; even more so, many don't have licenses to deal or even collect, but sell as private individuals (all depends on your state laws).


Ed

[Dwight Gruber]

Oregon Arms Collectors is a club group which meets once Sunday morning a month with display tables at one of Portland's National Guard Armories, and has a big weekend show every August. If anyone is thinking of coming to the area and wants to know in advance about a good gun show, this is the one to see.

It is strictly arms and military accoutrements, mostly guns; a few knives are there, but they are specifically collector oriented--Kukris, Americana, military swords & bayonets, and the like.

I would characterize the seller participants as collector/dealers, or collectors who actively acquire and trade their guns around. The big area retailers and storefront operators who regularly inhabit the Portland Expo gun and knife show do not participate here; it is truly a quality collectors' show.

The show is much more of a regional event than their monthly meets or the Portland Expo shows--Bob Hogan is often there from Seattle (he wasn't this year); Ken Coyle from Grants Pass; and I recognized someone from the Bay area.

There is usually a significant Luger presence. Jim Waddle was there with a large selection of early Commercial, Imperial, and WWII Lugers, with some unique items salted in. Ken Coyle had two tables of mostly stocked Lugers--Carbines, Borchardt, Ideal rigs, and stocked military guns. I can't give you the details as Steve suggests: I went back Sunday afternoon to spend some time with Ken, but discovered that the show closed as I arrived at 3:00pm. Drat!

--Dwight

[alvin]

I'm in Massachusetts. Seems this place is not a good place for gun show.... I've never seen any C&R show over here. I did visit a local show last year, C&R guns were very rare.

[Russ]

I went to this show for a few hours on sat. Got to see a lot of old freinds. This is the best show in Oregon. Reno is next weekend and alot of the guns will be there.

Russ

[Steve Richards]

That sounds nice! Anybody have a good idea of where to meet? The Place To Shoot is a nice range but not very conducive for a get together. I know of a nice place for pistol shooting up in the Cascades but a couple of hours drive each way. The English Pit is closed.

Steve

[Ron Smith]

Hey tac,

Y'all gonna be at Joe's? Any idea what date?

Ron

[hopscotch]

Uh Ron,

Don't tell T, but I think I deleted his itinerary.

I'll have to grin and ask him for it again.

I know he will be over here before the year ends.

Joe

[Steve Richards]

Tac,

Who is a member? I have not joined them. If they have a rifle range, it would be worth my while if they are not too expensive.

So far, I have only been a member of The Place to Shoot. Nice pistol range but no rifles and not a good place for a get together.

Steve

[Dwight Gruber]

Terry et al,

I haven't weighed in on this because I wasn't sure of my schedule for the weekend. Any firm plans in the making?

--Dwight

[Edward Tinker]

Dwight is like a busy guy recently, i can't even get him excited about weimar police stuff