How does one get started with displays?

[Fox Mike]

I see photos of the various shows and the displays that many of you have set up. While my collection isn't near the quality or size of many like Contender and Radicalrod, I wonder how to really get started. How do you obtain the various Ruger symbols? If you use the Ruger eagle do you have to have permission from Ruger as it is copyrighted? Do you have to provide your own tables or are they provided? Shoot...I am so 'unknowing' about this I don't even know what questions to ask. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

F-M,
Just do your own thing, from one gun to 50 guns, I have seen a one gun do very well.....a few Easters ago in PA, I display one 1964 10-22 with a mini shooting range made of Easter bunny's and "peeps"....(the bullet hole in the bunny's where the best, LOL) I put the peeps on the front and rear making it a rare "peep sight" gun....

My write up was how many "pope's" used that gun to hunt Easter bunny's behind the Vatican, its was a hit, I got "honorable mention"

It was big fun...a little odd, as Radical Rod would say...but fun!

Scott

 

[rugerguy]

bottom line is getting the point across of just what YOU have to display (show off) and to explain just why it is ,what it is.......information, in detail, any and all relevent things, paperwork, boxes, and the whole gammut, wether it be just one or two guns or a LOT of the same thing, OR a variety (assortment, little of everything...) very hard to try and get them all, logistically at times about impossible, let alone who could afford , ALL that stuff, most of us have to work hourly paying jobs and raise families, so discretionary funds are limited...as for labels, logos ,etc, as long as you are NOT making any of that sort of licensed or company items, FOR sale, , you can blow them up (enlarge) them for display purposes, hell the companys like FREE advertising.........as you note look at and study any and all of the displays you can, and see just what and how they are trying to "come across" after all YOU are now going to try and educate the people who come look at , and study YOUR stuff, so you must try and cover, explain it all,, best as you can...I always tell folks this is NOT a competition of cabinet making, but showing off , and PROUDLY, just what you have to show , and how it is all related to itself, within the display...most of the times the hardest part is putting or coming up with a TITLE of YOUR stuff, and to keep the entire display , in relationship to this title. Feel free to contact or ask ANY of the folks who have ever displayed and I bet you come up with all kinds of hints, tricks and suggestions..............hard to try and tell you everything in a few key strokes :wink:

 

[chet15]

This would be a great topic to touch on with an article in the next ROCS digest!
Chet15

 

[WAYNO]

And the computerization of the sign-making industry makes it even easier. Provide whatever logos, or photos, or print you'd like to see on a display sign, either on hard-copy or via electronic attachments, or links, tell the sign maker what you'd like your sign to look like and in short order he'll have a sign-proof put together for your approval. Decide what kind of sign you'd like, cardboard, poster board, corrugated plastic, the sky is the limit. Pay the fee, and pick up your sign tomorrow! It is really that easy. You could include portions of magazine articles, portions of catalogues, again, anything to tell the story of what you're displaying.

It could be as simple as a single gun with you telling the history of the gun, your history with the gun, maybe some photos of you and the gun posing with a trophy animal, or maybe just a photo of a fun day at the range with your kids. Really! The sky is the limit and it's all appreciated.

WAYNO.

 

[Fox Mike]

The only thing I do have is a "Title" for my 'hopeful' display. After that I am treading water. I do appreciate what has been said so far and will keep watching this post to see if any others add on to it.

 

[El Numero Uno]

The Title is where you Start; and you are already off and ahead of the game. Remember the Title sets the theme you are trying to portray. Keep this in mind, you should be trying to "educate" and inform the public! Not necessarily to impress the other Ruger Collectors. From a competitive standpoint, you should study a Judging Form.
Look here in Part III; Judging and Points.
http://www.rugersociety.com/display-show-guidelines.html
You can set up your Display at any Gun Show; that is a good test on the "public appeal".

 

[contender]

Frank, a lot of good info above.
You can build your own display any way you wish it to be. You can be as simple as one gun, (and Scott's one gun was a lot of fun!) to many guns & stuff.
Look at the judging form to see what they look at. It can give you ideas.
Tables are provided at the shows, so you build your display (normally) to fit on an 8 ft table. (Or more than one table etc!)
A table cover of some kind, and go from there.
Look at pics to see the different "ideas" folks have used. One good point is to make it as easy to set up & take down as you are comfortable with. Many of the displays go up & down quicker than you'd think. Be creative!

 

[radicalrod]

This would be a great topic to touch on with an article in the next ROCS digest!
Chet15

Hey no secrets PLEASE :roll: :roll: :roll:

Just kidding....just don't over think it....remember displaying is suppose to be fun....just do it...RR

 

[Fox Mike]

Again....Thanks. By the way when looking at the Display Show Guidelines I noticed a 'glaring' error. Go to Part II, 2, e. The word should be "judged" not "jugged". Jugged is what you get when you have too much 'adult beverage'. :shock:

 

[Danjet500]

The word should be "judged" not "jugged". Jugged is what you get when you have too much 'adult beverage'. :shock:

Among other definitions also.

 

[tommygun]

http://www.rugersociety.com/ You might want to go to their wesite where you can look at the recent pictures of the displays in Tulsa. I would also encourage you to consider joining. Get your hands on the judging form for the show you are going to display at. That is a big help. Just give it a whirl. Each time you do it you learn more and you get to meet some great people who area always willing to help. Cheers!

 

[flattop44]

Oh my goodness...."jugged"...what was on our minds??
Thanks for finding that error. PM me with any specific questions that you have and I will sure try to help you out!
FT44

 

[Fox Mike]

http://www.rugersociety.com/ You might want to go to their wesite where you can look at the recent pictures of the displays in Tulsa. I would also encourage you to consider joining. Get your hands on the judging form for the show you are going to display at. That is a big help. Just give it a whirl. Each time you do it you learn more and you get to meet some great people who area always willing to help. Cheers!

I have already joined. The $$ is spent. I'm just asking advice from the 'pros'. Looks like Cincinnati would be the show I'd try to make; unless something happens in my area before that date.

 

[SteveRuger]

I personally just try to display what I like to look at & as stated above just educate the public & HAVE FUN.. That is what it is all about. Each time you do it you learn & make more friends.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

well said ... mr. steve!