Milsurp After Hours

This past weekend (15-16th) we had the Smokey Mountain Gun Collector’s Assoc. show at the Lenoir City National Guard Armory. In the past these Smokey Mnt Shows were the best in the area but for a few years the group fell on some hard times; however, the group is now making a comeback with its goal of once again becoming the best collectors group in the area. The show done over the weekend was another positive step towards this goal as the show was a great success.

Before I get into the show details I wanted to share the following.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Stephen C. Kennedy – Was killed in Iraq on April 4th 2005 and the following is a memorial in his honor. These displays are a great reminder of the price being paid by our soldiers. In the photo in the two displays - This photo was taken hours before he was killed by an IED.

For more info http://www.militarycity.com/valor/779558.html

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One great part of these shows is always the displays and there were quite a range at the event. These ranged from my Estonian display to one of Chinese Pole Weapons. There was a great collection of SA pistols on display, along with an interesting WW2 US display, a Spanish – American War area (there was a Liberator pistol next to this display from the same person), a pinfire booby trap display was also done. Each of these displays was a bit different and all added to the event. Such displays are a highlight of these shows and more such displays are planned. I am thinking of doing a large Israeli display in the future that would include machine gun emplacements, anti tank positions, and the like. Displays really seem to be popular with those in attendance and also allows collectors to pull out their boxes of “junk” now and again.

Below - Estonian from their Independence War time frame. Also in this display a modern Estonian soldier in current issue BDU's - a Model 1936 tunic from before WW2 - various Estonian manuals - Estonian SS Legion items - Estonian POW patch - 1920's era Hussar photos

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I only did one table at the show so it was a bit limited. As the show is not large I wanted to take just one table to free up extra space for dealers. In the future we are going to try and have one room or area just of displays as that would make things much easier.

Rifles - M91 Mosin Nagant, P14, Galil, G3

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This was to me the best display at the show as it was so interesting to see these uncommon items. It was funny as the person that did the display told me he almost did not set this up as he felt it was too “odd” for such a show. I am glad he decided to set up as I know that I enjoyed it. I am AMAZED at what sort of items people collect! I wanted to stick Capt Zorro in the head with one of the forks but the displayer would not allow it.....bummer

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Next to this was a great pinfire booby trap display - The ones on the left were used for animals (I think as an early trap) while those on the right were used for home protection. Very cool.

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My friend Chris always has interesting items to display and at this show he brought out some US gear. He also has an outstanding WW1 US collection that he has showed in the past and I hope down the line he decides to show this once again.

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Part of the Spanish American War display - Also the Liberator pistol ---- This was a neat and rare item.

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Some of the SA pistols. Those that know the Knoxville area these a part of the display from Mike Holloway - who was a local gunshow promoter for years.

He also owns the pistols used by Kevin Costner in the movie Silverado which will soon be on display at the Cody Museum.

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Hard Knox Roller Girls ------

This group has come out twice to work the food-drink area and also assist in setting up and taking down the show. They really add to the show as they are great with the public - those that attend the show with kids seem to really get a treat out of meeting the roller girls. I can say that I am glad they are a part of the show and glad to call them friends. And yes..... They will beat you up if you give them the "wrong" look.

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It was a great weekend. The show was a sell out in regards to tables and we had a large crowd Saturday as well as part of Sunday. The Smokey Mountain Gun Collectors Assoc. is really working to make a fine collector's show for those in the region and as a whole are well on their way to doing this. The shows will only get better in time as we are working to improve upon them.

Lastly - Bill Trent (WLD Bill a moderator on Gunboards.com and my long time friend) and I were added to the Board Of Directors this weekend so rest assured that we are going to make these show military collector friendly. That is one of our main goals as we really want the military collectors to be a part of our future. Bill has been collecting for over 40 years and also works for the importer TN GUNS. I would guess Bill and I have been setting up at shows together now for over 10 years.

Hope this was of interest.

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Great report.I enjoyed it.

Stan

Just wondered about the Patton pistols. Those Uberti replicas you think? The real ones are at the General Patton Museum at Fort Knox Kentucky.

I am not sure but they are Colts. The owner of these collects high end Colts so they are not the Italian made jobs.

Looks like more than one source of reproductions for Patton pistols. Prices all over the place from non firing imports to special commemrative productions that are probably made in Italy or Spain. Did see one interesting site where a guy named Jeffery Flannery, in Kentucky, has a connection to the Patton Museum and does custom engraving. His, I would think, would be the "real" Colt pistol to begin with although the site doesn't say. He even has a photo of himself in a Patton reproduction uniform holding both the real and the reproduction pistols.

http://www.flannerygunengraving.com/patton.html

Only go on about this because of the "real" aspect of various arms, otherwise unconnected to a person. Sniper models of Nagants, Enfields and Mausers for instance, and how we often make an issue of the constructs, although they are mostly concocked of all, "real" historical parts.

I asked about these-

Apparently these were a special run by Colt. I do not know anything about these pistols but I was told the insured value is $10,000. Also recall the owner was not claiming these were owned by Patton. Again way outside of my knowledge base and just passing on what I was told.

He does own the pistols used by Kevin Costner in Silverado as well as owning various pistols from the old Hollywood cowboy movies and shorts. The Costner pistols are now at the Cody Museum to be used in a display.

I didn't think you were suggesting they were Patton's actual pistols. Just thinking about the Colt, not Colt, special engraved, limited edition, who owned it, and what makes it valuable aspect of it.