ROCS at the OGCA

[contender]

I decided to post this in the Lounge, as some folks don't visit the collecting section.

We just completed the ROCS display show at the July OGCA meeting & gun show. While we had 2 last minute cancellations, we still had some excellent displays. If you missed it,,, you missed seeing some truly nice and rare Rugers.
Best gun of show was a prototype 15" 44 mag that was stunning! My buddy said; It looked like a revolver walking cane!"
I won't go into many details about the show here,,, but check out the collecting area and the ROCS website. We'll have plenty of pics there.

And I discovered a sad fact over the weekend. Membership in ROCS was down in 2015 to 2016. I hope we can turn this around,,, as the hard work of having a club like this is all volunteer. And if you truly enjoy Rugers,,, this is one of the best places to see rare ones, or learn about them, and even buy some. Handling the 15" 44 mag was special,,, as I'd only heard about the gun before this weekend. (Thanks Bill for allowing me to gently fondle it!)
I'd like to strongly urge folks to join ROCS & visit one of the shows we put on.

 

[Fox Mike]

Glad it was a great show. Sorry I missed it. Awaiting the photos.

 

[Big Old Boy]

A great organization with lots of good info and an outstanding publication.

 

[contender]

"A great organization with lots of good info and an outstanding publication."

Exactly. And we need more members, and especially new folks who will build & display.

I know many of y'all have a few Rugers, that you are especially fond of, or that are a bit rare or unique. BUILD A DISPLAY & share.
I have NEVER seen any display I'd consider as a "complete" display. There is always a little something that could be added, or a gun that is hard to find, or whatever.

I know many of y'all see the pics & think; "My stuff isn't that good," or "I can not compete with that," or "I can't build something that nice." Or "Insert any excuse here" as to why you don't display.

I call BS on all those excuses.
When I was invited to display many moons ago by Bob Nelson, I got 2 tables, and took a bunch of stuff. I had no title, no theme, no organization or anything. I did not have a computer with pictures to give me an idea of what I was doing, or even what it was all about. I just put out 2 tables full of Ruger guns & stuff I liked. Well,,,,,,,,, I was a total rookie & it was very obvious. BUT I HAD FUN!!!!!!!!!! And I'll never forget how nice, calm & patiently Bob & a few others took me aside to explain things to me & show me how I could improve. NOT ONE SINGLE CRITICAL COMMENT WAS HEARD BY ME. But once I saw how things were, how a display should be, and how much fun & fellowship was shared,,,, I was hooked. And by spending time with these old timers,,, I learned a LOT about Ruger collecting. I heard many personal stories about Bill Ruger, other collectors, rare guns, trades, and so much that the experience was invaluable. I could not wait to try again, with a better focus on doing a better display the next year. That was well over a dozen years ago, and I'm STILL learning more, enjoying the same friendships & stories, AND knowledge not always found elsewhere.

I consider these shows so good, that if it were not for the fact that Tulsa was so far away, AND during hunting season, I'd be doing that show as well. The ones in Idaho & Washington are even farther (for me) and I'd do them as well if not for the distance. I do still work, and as such, my ability to travel & all is a bit limited.

I share all this in sincere hopes that others here will read this, and do 2 things. One, join ROCS (if not already a member,) and Two, join us in putting together a display.
I'll make a standing offer,,,,! If anybody here is considering it, & wants advance advice,,, I will spend as much time on the phone or computer as I can offering advice & help in any way I can.

 

[contender]

I'm adding pics in the Gallery of this years OGCA displays. Have patience & check back often, as photobucket is slow,,,!