Harrisburg 2014 - update

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bigbore45colt

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Well, the 8th Annual Harrisburg Ruger Display Show is now in the past. I hope everyone made it home sound and safe with all of their new acquisitions!

In my opinion, this was one of the best Harrisburg Shows so far. We had 11 fantastic displays. I will process the pictures and will post them shortly. I know most everyone there took pictures as well so feel free to post them here if you have them.

The display winners were:

RENE Best Ruger of Show - Tom Braden with his drop dead gorgeous 357 Flat-top s/n 49, NIB with shipper and all paperwork.
Advanced Class - Lee Sundermeier with his fantastic collection of 10" barrel 357 Flat-tops
Intermediate Class - Tom Braden with his great display of 357 flat-tops

It was a "357 Flat-top" clean sweep! I think Bob Campbell would have appreciated it.

This year, thanks to a very healthy fund raising auction last year, all displayers received a Ruger SR-22PB Talo edition 22 LR pistol as a displayer award.

Thanks to everyone that came, displayed, and participated. I received great feedback from displayers, dealers, and the public so it sounds like it was a successful show.

BB45C
 
Thanks Matt for a truly outstanding and well run show! Boy did we have lots of guns and accessories for sale/trade. Several displays showed some outstanding guns for the first time. The Saturday night auction was spirited and successful again as we pitched in with donations and bidding. I spent a lot of time talking and enjoying the fellowship that is very evident at this show! Bill Hamm kept me laughing with his stories that only he can tell.
Thanks again Matt for 8 very successful years of coordinating a great show.
Brass Frame/Lee
 
+1 Brass Frame!
I got home about 4am, and I haven't unpacked much yet. Like BF, I too enjoy the fellowship, the stories, the friendships etc we share. The good natured ribbing with each other, creating lots of laughs for all to enjoy, with the serious nature of enjoying Ruger fellowship & displays make these events a highlight of the year for me.

I want to share something from a show attendee.

I was asked by a pair of guys who were attending the show & looking at my display, "Why" we did this.
I was struck by the question, yet, I quickly told them that we (displayers,) enjoyed collecting AND sharing our knowledge with all who enjoy fine firearms. That we came to these gun shows at our expense, to hopefully educate the public about Rugers. I also told them that by doing so, we were able to occasionally find a good, rare Ruger item we needed to own. But, I closed it with; "Lastly, it's just plain good fun!"

If ANYBODY has ever even thought about displaying, and hasn't done so thinking their stuff isn't "good enough" I'd like to say "BS!!!!!!"
Nobody has it all.
Nobody is ever going to have a perfect & complete display.
All of us will always want, "just one more thing to add to our displays"!
And most of all, NONE of us who have done it a few times will ever discourage anyone or think they do not belong with us, no matter what is shown.
Join us next year,,,!
 
Sounds like I missed a good one.. Figures..Not sure i have ever been to a bad one though so i guess any time I cannot make it I miss a good one

Glad you guys had fun.

Dave
 
I will definitely +1 Contenders post. I did my first display last year and the wife and I had a blast. I really think that by taking my wife to this and her meeting all the great RCA'ers that were where, moved her off the fence about her feelings about guns (she was almost shot by a stupid hunter when she was growing up). She saw how everyone was so enthuiastic about Rugers (and shooting in general) she decided to get training. I am smart enough to know not to try to do this myself. She got her training from Tyrones wife, Miss Penny, at the last east coast gathering at his place (if you can, come down to these, we have a great time with lots of great guns and fellowship). My wife is now chomping at the bit to practice whenever we get some decent weather. I really owe most of this change in attitude to the guys that get together at the RCA shows. She is now conversing (emailing) with Dalia at RCA. Oh, she wanted a purple gun so I got her the SR22 in Ladies Liliac :shock:

My display this year was a bit bigger than last years and by looking at others displays and talking to the long time displayers I'm rethinking how I want next years display to look.

I would, as a new displayer, urge anyone to get involved, be it with a one gun display or a 50 gun display. As I was told, "JUST DO IT". Once you do one display I can "gar--ron--tee" you will be hooked. And you will learn more about Rugers, Sturm, Ruger Co. and about Mr. Ruger than you will ever get from any books you read.

Matt was an absolutely A number 1 organizer of the Harrisburg display and he will be sorely missed in that capacity, but I know whoever takes on that job in the future will do as good.

All I can say to wrap it up is: Ruger owners, join the RCA and display your Rugers, no matter what they are and no matter how many you have. You would be amazed on how many gun owners that owned one or more Rugers (or none at all) stopped by the displays and started asking questions and went away amazed at the amount of information we could give them. If I was asked about Blackhawks, or Flat tops, or Bearcats, or something I didn't know as much about (I'm a Ruger DA kinda guy) I referred them to Tyrone, Bill, Lee, Matt, Rod and they got their answers. I was referred to a couple times when people had questions about the Six series guns. We all work together to get the word out about Rugers; and guys, there is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about Rugers out that that has to be disspelled and who better to do it than Ruger owners and collectors. GET INVOLVED, you'll have fun (and learn things you never knew).
 
My hearty congrats to Tommygun, a guy who's relatively new to the hobby and is going after it hammer and tong. Bob would approve.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
 
First let me also extend my thanks and appreciation to Matt for his sacrifice of valuable time to make this happen. Matt's life makes me tired just thinking about it. Also let me say thanks for the kind words. 2 Years ago I did my first display. I am living proof that once you try it you learn so much. Thanks to the display expertise of the seasoned vets and their mentoring/teaching, I thought I would try it again. Wow, I was humbled winning my class. But the real affirmation comes from the public and their reactions, comments and questions. We all agree that the real goal is to educate and create curiosity to the hobby. We need new younger blood to keep the hobby alive. The more interest the more demand. The more demand, the more values stay stable or accelerate. I had a guy come up to me and thank me for the time, money and energy that we put into doing this for his enjoyment. Also had a number of opportunities to direct new people to the Forum, RENE and the RCA. Most importantly, let me point out that of the twelve, three of us are cancer survivors, a brotherhood within a brotherhood. God has been so good to us! To encourage guys to give it shot, let me point out that it isn't about who has the rarest most expensive gun. There is the masters class that the elders participate in. It is an un-judged class. A lot of them display guns that would just be too hard for the average guy to compete with. So jump in, get your feet wet. You will be welcomed with open arms. TG
 
I had hoped to drive up since it's only an hour away, but this weekend was full of daughters high school musical and dance recitals.
First things first.
 
I too was at the Harrisburg Gun Show and I have to say that I think everyone had a great time. Of course radicalrod had the floor most of the weekend and he kept us entertained. :lol: I got to take some pictures Sunday, sorry that I didn't get to get everyones display but I'm sure that someone else will fill in what I missed.

Any question on patches this was the place to be.
409074329.jpg


And of course this needs no explanations, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET. :lol:
409074337.jpg



All the variations of the .44 Mag.Flattops.
409074338.jpg


All the variations of the .357 Mag. Flattops.
409074342.jpg


Four of a kind all serial number 10!!!!!
409074343.jpg


Count them!!!!! (8) 10 in. .357 Mag. Flattops.
409074344.jpg


And then there is radicalrod's display of Lightweights!!!! I counted at least 16 guns with Factory Ivory and Factory Stag, "S" guns with the S at the serial number and with the "S" in front of the trigger guard. All blue with the Alum. cylinder and all blue with the steel cylinder. You name it and it was on the table!!!!
409074340.jpg


Here is a picture of Rod's Green Wreath Lightweight box. Notice the cut mark down the center of the box. If you don't know what causes that it's because the old Shipping boxes were split down the middle and taped and when someone went to open it they took a knife and cut the tape and while doing so they would go too deep and would put that cut on the box. To a collector that is not a defect because so many of the old boxes would have this. Just like the pink frames are not considered a defect to a collector, and as matter of fact a collector will pay more for the pink frame guns.
409074341.jpg


Here is a Green Wreath Mug that I sold radicalrod. It looks as if Rod will buy anything with a green wreath!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
409074346.jpg


Here is a very nice Lightweight with Factory Ivory from Rod's collection.
409074345.jpg


A 101 Education on Ruger Pistols and Revolvers.
409074333.jpg


The different grips for the XR3 grip frame. This is not an easy collection to put together.
409074336.jpg


Last but not least, I had the good fortune to set up beside Jerry Oliver from Richmond,VA. He is one of the nicest persons you would ever want to meet. My Wife and I enjoyed talking to him and ganging up on radicalrod, inwhich we didn't have much success getting a word in edge ways, but we tried. I hope to see him again at the next Ruger show. Jerry, maybe we will have better luck getting the best of Rod next time.

Here is his desplay of Ruger Standard Red Eagle serial number 0153. It was one of the first 198 pistols assembled and was shipped in a Salt Cod box to it's new owner: George Stoeser in Penn, North Dakota. It was wrapped in the newspaper announcing Elizabeth Taylor's Engagement!!!!! HOW NEAT IS THAT!
409074339.jpg


409074327.jpg
 
And there you have it,, excellent pics of SOME of the stuff to see at this show!
JS had a display of "Factory Seconds" that made a LOT of us drool. Matt's "Shootist" display gave us a peek at some treats seldom seen.
Scattered within these displays were lots of goodies on sale tables to be found, purchased, enjoyed etc!
 
Looks like another great show you displayers put on!! Thanks for the pictures, & congradulations to all. Jerry Hertel
 
I love shows like this - guns, cars, crafts, whatever. Unfortunately I rarely get to go to one. Thanks for the posts and pics. Almost like being there. :D

But where are the .41's ? :wink: :lol:
 
Street,
Excellent pictures! My favorite was the "Green Wreath Mug" bet RR was all smiles! 1st one of those that I've seen, but then again there's a ton of stuff
I have never seen..... :) :wink:

Congrats to all involved.
Terry
 
Those green wreath mugs were a displayers gift from the Bill Goodman RCA Theme shows several years ago. I got one, and left the other one for Rod. (But I got the bells!)
As for any 41 mags,,, there weren't many,,, but my friend who helps me with my table isn't quite "up to snuff" on Rugers. He was walking around & let a 3 screw short bbl 41 mag slip by him. The seller was walking the floor, asking $450 for it. I choked when he told me, and sent him back out looking for it. Unfortunately, it got snagged before he found the guy. By one of our other collectors.

Dan,,, I can fool a lot of folks when I clean up! Especially when I wear shoes.
 
contender said:
Those green wreath mugs were a displayers gift from the Bill Goodman RCA Theme shows several years ago. I got one, and left the other one for Rod. (But I got the bells!)
As for any 41 mags,,, there weren't many,,, but my friend who helps me with my table isn't quite "up to snuff" on Rugers. He was walking around & let a 3 screw short bbl 41 mag slip by him. The seller was walking the floor, asking $450 for it. I choked when he told me, and sent him back out looking for it. Unfortunately, it got snagged before he found the guy. By one of our other collectors.

Dan,,, I can fool a lot of folks when I clean up! Especially when I wear shoes.
Click to expand...

Good price on that gun. I've noticed tho, that many collectors of this 'n that, tend to collect things that are popular with other collectors of whatever it happens to be, or because of cosmetics, rather than things that are rare or unusual. I suppose partly because of upfront cost. A little short sighted imho, since the rare and unusual is an investment that normally increases in value.
 
Hey Street, next time I want some of those awesome finger sandwiches Mrs Street makes :lol: :lol: :lol:

You were in a very precarious position....I think the RUGER GODS were punishing you....putting your table between TYRONE and MYSELF :roll: :roll: :roll: just think if RUGERGUY had shown up....your ears would still be ringing :!: :!: :!:

You should have taken pics of that LW with the IVORY GRIPS TWIN.....I sold one of these to JUSSBAD and he brought the consecutive pair to TULSA never telling me why he bought mine....then he set them on his trade table.....he was acting kind of strange because I refused to look at them....I had a funny feeling I wouldn't be happy......well I finally checked them out and noticed it was my gun sitting there with it's brother.....YES he brought them for me....they were only for sale if I wanted them....so I paid a small premium to get my gun back but was thrilled to be able to do so....GW is one of the GOOD GUYS in my book....these are "TRI COLORS"...... the all blue steel cylinder consecutive pair had STAG......that pair also has an AWESOME STORY and was made possible by another GOOD GUY....I will save that story for next years show.....RR
 
RR! What do you mean? My ears ARE still ringing. :lol: :lol: :lol: If RUGERGUY had been there, I'm sure I would have had to go home after Saturday, as my poor old ears could not have taken it. :lol: :lol: :roll:
 
Wow, really very impressive display photos!(a lot of food for thought). I would have liked to attended the show meeting everyone having the time (out on medical leave, I had recent surgery) although have medication complications going on. Is there a posting of the yearly shows, I'd like to be able to plan vacation time a head of time.

Thanks,
Tom
 
The green wreath mugs were a Bill Goodman RCA Theme show display item. They are marked on the back with the Bill Goodman info & dated 1986.
 
GREAT show folks!! Some real fine displays and congrats to all the winners. I am just trying to recover from the trip!! What fun, sure was nice visiting with and seeing all the regulars....then meeting several new collectors and new Ruger owners. Also picking up a few good guns!! 8)
I too want to extend a heart-felt great big 'ole thanks for Matt running the show for us the past 8 years. I personally know of all the hard behind-the-scene work that it takes to pull off the show set-up, hotel, banquet and auction. He has sure paid his dues so I hope someone else will step up and get us going in the future at a good venue.....then he can just come and enjoy it like the rest of us have been doing under his watch!! :)
FT44
 
Yep, another great show at Harrisburg. The displays were awesome, but the "Ruger Family" was even better! Great group of people that know their Rugers and also know how to have fun. The general public attendees were also interesting. Seems like every 3rd or 4th person that came by Rod's display felt obligated to give one of his lightweights a spin :shock:. David (Street), thanks for the kind words and I hope to see you at one of the Virginia gun shows soon!

Jerry
 
Jerry, THANKS for REMINDING ME......

YES I should get rid of my stands as everyone wants to know how they work and they feel the "need" to pick them up to see how they work....other than that everything was GREAT.....RR
 
But RR, how could it have been??? :?: :?: :?: :?: You didn't have me or the Gentleman for additional entertainment!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Love ya man, Coogs.
 
Street-

Wow! Great photos of show. After looking at your pictures I realized its time to get rid of my little point/shoot canon. What kind of equipment do you have? Did you use a tripod? Any specifics on camera model, flash, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Great photos! So sorry I missed it but my wife's medical condition was a bit more important. I did wonder that if in the "101 Education..." photos that the braces on the right side were some of Bill Rugers designed tools?
 
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