Antique Room - Lewisburg

[Don Getz]

Just curious about your feelings on the guns shown at the show.   I don't think I have ever seen this many upper susquehanna guns in my life, some great displays.   John Persing, Loren Wengerd had a great Joe Long display, Steve
Hench had some great stuff......if you missed it, too bad, it was a good one.........Don

[bdixon]

I thought it was a good show, room to walk around, and not hot or stuffy.  Friendly and informative with the exception of one very rude vendor when asked about a product.  All in all a very good show and hope to return many years over.

Brett.

[Shreckmeister]

It was my first time at a CLA show and I was impressed.  Some very well made rifles and a nice variety.  Not many western PA guns which is what I usually see because I'm outside of Pittsburgh, so I enjoyed seeing new
things.  The vendors seemed anxious to share information which is a plus.
I noted the prices being higher than Western PA, but that's to be expected.
I didn't see many transactions taking place and I seemed to be one of very
few people carrying a rifle around.  I expected to see more people bringing
in rifles.
    Special thanks to you for your advice on my Huntington area rifle Don!
I never did get anyone to identify it, just many opinions that it was made
outside Bedford area.

[loco219]

I was a little reluctant to bring in a rifle or two, did not want to step on anyones toes. I emailed Bill Shipman before the show about it and he assured me no one would mind. I found that very true. Bill gave some great info on my Sanchez rifle, and everyone was intrugued by my antique barn gun. Yes, I encountered one very course attitude, probably the same one mentioned in other posts, but that does not bother me, it was a great show.  Its interesting how these guys can look at a plain gun, no signature, no patchbox, no discerning features, and almost all agree on where it came from. I met almost all the artisans in one day who I've been admiring for a long time. I have to say Scott Shea and his brother were extremely helpful and courteous, and they liked my gun because you don't see that many of them. I received offers to buy my gun, offers to restore it, and also an offer to build me a contemporary rifle for a swap, which makes a novice feel great that I own something they admire. How many shows like this are held per year and are there more in Pa?   

[flintriflesmith]

loco,
You need to consider joining the CLA so you will get notices of shows, etc.

Meanwhile look at their web page of upcoming events.

http://www.longrifle.com/events/

Gary

[Don Getz]

For those of you that had bad experiences in the vendor room, I wonder if you would be so kind as to tell me about it in a
private E-mail.  Being on the show committee, we want you to know that we are always striving to get the best people
into the show to show their wares.   This is the first year that we invited parts vendors, as such, to the show.........if there
are problems there, we would like to know about it.   Anything you might want to tell me about will be held in strict
confidentiality, and, if you would rather not talk about, I understand.   Thanks.......Don (dggetz@embarqmail.com)

[Joe Stein]

Don, 
    In answer to your question, the antiques room was a very good idea.  I got the chance to handle and study a lot of original longrifles.  Usually the exhibitor offered to let me pick them up before I even had the chance to ask!  Everyone I talked to was friendly and wiling to answer questions and share their knowledge. It doesn't get any better than that.  I was really glad I made the drive (over 200 miles.)
-Joe Stein

[Michael]

Great idea!! Any chance to see and handle origional guns makes my day!

Michael

[Osprey]

Don, the vendors room was a big plus.  Main reason why I came, was able to drop a stock off for profiling with Keck, another buddy came mainly to pick one up from him.  Very good show, but that was the added incentive to drive 4.5 hours each way.

[Spotz]

I believe the Committee organizing this event should be commended on a job well done.  It was a particularly good time and it was definitely the best show to date.  It is always a pleasure to put the ALR name to the real name and face of those sharing common interests.  My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that I talked too much and never did get a chance to see everything. 

[loco219]

Great choice also in the Country Cupboard, I'm afraid if the show was 3 days long I would have gained 10 pounds eating there!