The Colorado Gun Collectors 48th Annual Gun Show

When stepping into the Colorado Gun Collectors 48th Annual Gun Show, one could tell it was very different than the NRA Annual Meeting that I had attended a few weeks earlier.  Of course, I had been told numerous times just how different it would be, but specifics were far and few between.  I guess they wanted me to find out for myself.

This wasn't the "CES" or "Comic-Con" of guns and hunting, a certain aim of the recent NRA Meeting.  This was a gun show through and through, but of a caliber I had yet to experience.  The quality of guns at this show was astounding.  Table after table were full of beautiful collector grade guns.  Sure there were some antiques that showed their age, but for the most part those that were in excellent condition far surpassed those that were presented based solely on their age.  This is a gun show put on by volunteers belonging to the Colorado Gun Collectors Club and they clearly put in a lot of hard work for a show this impressive.  There were also tables of tack, polearms, Native American artifacts, firearms curios, everything related to the Western-era, gun parts, and items from nearly every military engagement in which the U.S. has participated.

A rack displaying some beautiful Henry rifles.

This doesn't even begin to describe some of the competitive display booths!  Just when you thought you had seen some extravagant guns for sale at any number of exhibitor tables, the perimeter of the event was lined with booths that were all competing for twenty cash awards totaling over $10,000!  It goes without saying that this brought out some beautiful, comprehensive, historic, and educational displays.  These gentlemen are building their displays by themselves.  They construct them, prepare their educational materials, decide the layout, arrange any lighting or signage, and display them simply to show their love of history, firearms, and that particular genre.  Of course, taking home a coveted trophy or cash prize and securing one's bragging rights is a nice motivation as well.

Display of Burnside breech-loader carbines.

Thorough collection of South American military rifles.

A gorgeous display of Winchester Schuetzen Target Rifles.

A lifetime's worth of collecting in the making.  Amazing!

 A display of Savage lever action rifles from 1895-2003 (Models 1885,1899, & 99). It was one of the largest displays at the show and very comprehensive.

Whether an attendee was a dealer, collector, buyer, seller, or simply came to gaze at guns, Rock Island Auction Company was definitely amongst kindred spirits.  We got to talk guns, answer questions, ask questions, swap stories, and show off with people whose interest in firearms is on par with our own!  There would be few better places to display our consignors' guns.  This is absolutely the crowd that needs to see them and, if they haven't already, discover the quality of items that RIAC carries each and every auction.  One can't come to a show like this with just any old gun; these people know quality, history, and they certainly know their firearms.  Let's just say our selections passed the test.  We had plenty of people gawking, inspecting, admiring, and asking about our seven tables of guns and when our next auction would be.  It was quite encouraging to see this much interest generated by people so knowledgeable and passionate.  This is exactly our type of people and it was a pleasure to rub elbows and talk guns with them all weekend long.

Our busy booth displaying items to appear in our September 13th, 14th, & 15th Premiere Auction

Jessica has fun with a consignor while other customers survey our firearms.

Rick inspecting one of the MANY firearms people brought to us throughout the show.

A couple takes in our World War II longarms.

All the hype and warm feelings surrounding this show were perfectly fitting.  This wasn't a gun show.  It was a reunion.  People come to this show year after year after year!  The promise of quality likely drew them in, but the camaraderie, shared respect, and mutual interest keep them coming back for more.  This show holds a place in many people's hearts and it's easy to see why.  It is good to see RIAC involved in these events.  Every day I heard numerous positive comments and compliments about RIAC from established and experienced collectors.  People in the firearms collecting community trust us and that's something to be very proud of.

Note:  There's not room in this blog to put in ALL the photos we took, so make sure to check them all out in our online photo album. You won't believe some of the guns and non-gun items that were there!  Click here to view this event's photo album on our Facebook page.  YOU DO NOT NEED A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO VIEW OUR PICTURES!

They also had shirts like this for sale, which we agree with 100%.

2013 NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits

It’s not often that I get to work and I’m so excited that I can barely perform even the most menial of tasks.  However, April 29, 2013 was different.   I was asked by Rock Island Auction Company several weeks prior if I wanted to attend the NRA Annual Meeting to be held in Houston, TX.  I immediately accepted and had been looking forward to it ever since.  I was also asked to be one of four employees who would drive down to Houston and schlep all the gear for our booth.  Granted, there was a 16-hour drive on each side of the event, but my excitement prevailed for many reasons.

First off, it was just going to the event itself.  We’re talking a National-level trade show!  You see events like ComiCon or CES all over TV when they take place and this time I was going to be at one of those events… but for guns!  I could barely imagine all the well designed, brightly lit booths garishly boasting their wares to an already eager audience.  Second, I had never been to Texas before and I never turn down a chance to see a new place.  Besides, new locale means new foods to try!  In my mind I had already made a small checklist of things to eat consisting of: a Texas steak, Gulf seafood, and Texas barbecue  As if those things weren't enough, then I started reading about the event itself.  The list of celebrities and industry celebrities was impressive to say the least.  There were such household names as Rick Perry, Stone Cold Steve Austin (never thought I'd mention those two fellas in the same sentence), Ted Nugent a.k.a. "Uncle Ted," and UFC legend, 9-time Welterweight Champion, and Illinois native Matt Hughes.  There were also scores of professional shooters and members of various shooting teams present, noted authors, exhibition shooters, outdoor TV show hosts, and training experts.  Oh, and did I mention that I transported a Model 1890 Colt Gatling gun to the event to be featured in our booth?  How's that for fun?

Model 1890 Colt Gatling gun.

Young man, invited to attend the NRA Annual Meeting, surrounded by firearms, gets to see a state he has never been to, has to haul a Gatling gun. To say I was a bit excited was an understatement. As if all this wasn't enough to get excited, I also discovered that we would be the only auction house present at the entire convention. This is an event for the best in the industry and we would be the only one making an appearance. I felt pretty proud about that and knew it was time to get the game face on and make a great impression.

The RIAC crew sets up for the exhibitions.

The RIAC booth was packed each and every day from when the doors opened to the closing announcements. It was 1200 square feet of what we do best: showing off our consignors' items and answering a ton of questions about them. There was lots of great gun talk with folks who appreciated all the different genres we brought: Colt revolvers, Winchester lever actions, German military, sporting rifles and shotguns, Smith & Wesson, and some great U.S. military pieces. Parents brought their kids to share in their lifelong hobby and to cultivate it in a new generation. We answered a ton of questions about the pieces we brought, learned a lot, and spread the good word about what Rock Island Auction Company does every single day for gun collectors. We also met a lot of good Texans and discovered a whole new brotherhood of firearms enthusiasts! A lot of planning and organization went into this event and it definitely paid off with how smooth everything ran, the amount of people that came to our booth and stayed to talk, and a great overall presentation. We impressed more than a few people in Texas and can't wait to hear how much more impressed they'll be once they get that first full-color, three volume Premiere Auction catalog!

Our booth was packed to the gills!

These fellas must've talked guns and U.S. history in our booth for at least half an hour! I just had to sit, listen, and get an education. This is what makes these fests awesome!

The booths were a blast to look at as well.  Every major gun manufacturer was represented and we were especially pleased to see we were present with our Quad City neighbors, Les Baer, Rock River Arms, ArmaLite, and Springfield Armory.  Ammunition manufacturers had great showings and great booths!  If you wanted something firearms related it was here.  Whatever your interest, there was a booth for it showing you the latest and greatest in the industry.  There were booths for scopes, magazines, uppers, lowers, optics, lights, lasers, clothing, jewelry, knives, swords, safaris, indoor ranges, bullet stops, art, taxidermy, reloading supplies, targets, and the list goes on!

If you want to see all the booths and pictures, please check out the album on our Facebook page.  YOU DO NOT NEED A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO SEE OUR PICTURES. 

View Album 1

View Album 2

It was a great weekend, filled with amazing toys and even better people. I'm proud to be in this industry and the 2013 NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits only solidified that feeling. In fact, RIAC has already committed to attending next year’s Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN! We are booked up and I can’t wait to see what changes next year will hold. Especially the shorter drive.

Some folks admiring the Gatling gun.

Three generations of enthusiasts admiring our German handgun display to be auctioned in September 2013.

The Winchesters and Colts almost always had a crowd around them!