thoughts on the cla show

[lew wetzel]

i have to put this out for everyone...of all the people i met yesterday,i would have to say i was most impressed with gary braumfeld and david price.these two fellas hold so much knowledge and are so outgoing to share it with you that i was really taken back by both of them.
david price-he had a couple swivel breetchs there and we started talking and he let me handle them and explained how he does his release mechanism and we talked about his tutorials that will be added soon to his site.he is a very humble man and is a huge asset to the gun building community...
gary braumfeld-the time i spent with gary was the all time high for me,we talked about his days at the gunshop in williamsburg and wallice gussler and he had a rifle there made by wallice and he let me handle it.he let me handle all the rifles on his table and explained each one as far as style,region/school.he is sooo knowledgable about everything and anything when it comes to longrifles.and really seems to enjoy talking and explaining things to a younger builder as myself.
i really have come away from the show with a whole new respect for gunbuilding and will really approach each new build with a better confidence than before.i would really like to thank these guys for thier time and knowledge they shared with me..
and i would like to thank don getz for letting me dry-fire his barn gun.....he built in the car on the way there.he is really a character and a fun guy to be around..i look forward to seeing you again don...

[kentucky bucky]

The best way to describe the show is WOOOOOO HOOOO!!!!!

 I'm still nursing my eye strain and trying not to forget the stuff I learned. There was so much stuff I coudn't meet very many folks and see what I wanted to see. I didn't stay overnight and I wish I could have. I had no idea how many tables would be there this year. I found parts for my next two projects and ideas for twenty more. I hope this is a glimpse of things to come! My feet are still hurting, my wallet is sucking air,and I'm already planning for next year's show!

[G-Man]

It was (is, rather, since i guess it is still going on till this afternoon) the best assemblage of original and contemporary work in one place at one time that I have ever been fortunate enough to see.  Really want to thank the organizers from both the CLA and the KRA, as well as all those who went to such effort to put up such great displays and share their collections and wares with the rest of us.  Far better than any museum collections I have ever seen.

I got to see almost all of the great original southern guns I've always wanted a first hand look at, and some that I had only had glimpses of from across the room in a museum.  Getting to see the William Whitley/ Jacob Young rifle up close was worth the trip and I could have spent a day studying it.  I got to spend a long time studying the Jospeh Bogle rifle as well.  Beans, Lawings, Bulls, Bogels, Duncans, on and on. 

Wallace, Gary and Eve's display was awesome, as was Michael Briggs' display of North Carolina guns.  Just too many to even start to mention.

I really could have used a full week there - just a great show.

Guy

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I agree to all of the above. I collapsed on the bed at 9:30 last night and will most likely do the same tonight...totally worn out from trying to learn so much!!  Got to spend a good deal of time with Homer Dangler and see and hold some of his incredible collection. I found myself continuing to come back to look at the beautiful fowlers and rifles by Allan Sandy...He did the one in the CLA ad on the back cover of Muzzleloader.  Don Getz and I were talking at the end of the show and we agreed that the show was incredible and he felt by far better than ever.  It was light years beyond what I saw three years ago.

[kentucky bucky]

Nice meeting you Tim . Sorry I didn't have more time to relax and shoot the bull. I felt like I was in a foot race to see this or that, so I didn't stay still long. I talked to Ky Flinter, too. I was also looking for parts and trying to get ideas from the displays. Now I'm in withdraw and my feet still hurt!

[Birddog6]

I had a great time there & it was nice to meet those of you I got to meet.

Anyone know who won the raffle rifle ?  They have not notified me to come & pick it up yet & I was just sure I had the winning ticket.........

[Roy S.]

I am still beat, and broke lol.  I am sure I made a few vendors days      Now to get to work... Good to meet some of you that stopped by the table, and good to put some faces to the names. 

 DR Tim Boone looks nothing like his avatar 

[bama]

It was a great show and I did not have time to see and do everything I wanted. It is great to see all the talent that we have building today. I was totally blown away by the original displays. Wallace's huge display of his rifles and Indian artifacts was great & the collection of German Jeagers was fantastic. I bought an origingal patch box from this gentelman and imediately brought it home to study under the scope. I am truely amazed at the quality that our forefathers could produce without the advantages that we have today.

I enjoyed meeting some of you and seeing some of the work that you have been doing. It was a pleasure all around. I am already looking foreward to nest year.

[Tim Crosby]

 It was nice to meet and put faces with names. Great doesn't even start to describe the shows. Although from the photos posted and the discussion I feel like I may have been at another show...even being there two days I think I missed a lot, somehow I miss the Gussler/Brimfield displays completely!

Tim C.

[T.C.Albert]

What a show...I am still reeling. I saw so much, and only regret that Im sure I simply missed just as much...
all I can manage to say is....what a show!

I dont think the raffle gun was actually raffled, If you mean the "House Brothers" rifle...I think this year was only the technical "un-vieling" and tickets will continue to be sold all year and the actual raffle will draw the winner August 15th "2009" at next years show. It looked like tickets were distributed to all of the CLA members with tables at the show to sell during the year, and are available for $5.00 each or five chances for $20.00.

T.C.Albert


 

[billd]

Is this show held in the same place every year?

Bill

[don getz]

Tickets will be sold throughout the following year, and the winner will be drawn at the 2009 CLA show.  I have heard that the gun has been appraised at $60,000 and that there are collectors waiting in the wings to buy it from the lucky winner
if he chooses to sell it.  As for this show, there has never been a show like this ever.  It was just outstanding.  The format of the KRA section, or antique section of the show, was really great and not at all like the annual KRA show....so much more and different things being exhibited.  In the contemporary section, it was not only bigger, but things just seem to
be getting better, better craftsmen, better guns.  If you missed it, you missed a great show.  I can't wait until next year
to see if they can do it as well again.  On the down side, after the show closed on saturday, many of us who bought tickets, went out to the Frank and Lally house for a get together.  Lots of food and refreshments....now, for the down side.  We stopped at Morehead, Ky at a motel, eight of us in the van.   When I got awake this morning, someonw was
knocking on my door...son John, wondered if any of us were sick....four of the eight were sick all night, some kind of food
poisoning apparently.  Just curious if anyone else who attending the party suffered the same fate.  We think it was the
turkey...the ones who were sick had turkey, the otheres did not.  I'm not blaming the Houses, who are great friends and
great hosts for the get together, can happen anytime....I was just curious to find out if anyone else suffered the same
fate.  It made for a long trip home today.........Don

[J. Talbert]

Don,

I didn't have the turkey... no ill effects!

Jeff

[Marshal Deadwood]

I've always wanted to visit the CLA show,,,i hear it is top notch. Perhaps next year. Just cost so much to travel anymores.

MD

[Gene Carrell]

This was my first show, after 'planning' to go for several years. Totally phenominal! Boy am I glad that I planned it for two days.

[C Wallingford]

I don't think I can come up with a better description of the show then the ones that have been mentioned. It was by far the biggest and best one yet. Hopefully, as Don said , it can be duplicated next year.
My wife and I had no ill effects from the outing. We didn't have the turkey.

[Fullstock longrifle]

Don, My wife and I both had turkey at the cookout.  She didn't feel well most of yesterday, but I never had a problem.  She tells me that I must have a cast iron stomach!

Good seeing you again, hope your leg problem gets better soon.

Frank

[Jim Kibler]

Boy, I don't think I can add much about how great the show was.  Seemed sort of like a whirl wind adventure.  Talked to so many nice people and saw some great contemporary and original guns.  Really a fantastic event.

[Darrin McDonal]

Same here Jim, Sorry I didnt make by your table Sat. It was a bit tough to get too it all.
As for the cook out, my son , girl friend, Beth and I all had quite a healthy pile of both the turkey and pork with no ill affects.  As a matter of fact it was absolutely excellent!! So I dont know what it may be. Thank you Frank & Lally!!!! and all of CLA / KRA organizers.
Darrin

[Levy]

My head still hurts from trying to see too much at once and my hands are still trembling from getting to hold so many beautiful creations.  It was great to get to put some faces with the names.  I'd wish for another day of it, but don't think my heart could take it.

James Levy

[Pratt]

  The show just keeps on getting better. The addition of the original/antique displays was just a wonderful idea and really has made the show into a completely new event. I know that some of the guys who displayed there this year look at the ALR every now and then, and even though many of us thanked you at the show, I want to thank you again for sharing with us your amazing collections and knowledge. A lot of people who never get the opportunity to see " the real deal" first hand will now have a much deeper appreciation for where all fine contemporary work has it's roots

[J. Talbert]

Simply beyond words!  But, as Ian said, I would also like to thank all of those who displayed, and a special thanks to those KRA members who joined in the show this year with so many of the "Real McCoys".  Hope y'all come back next year... and bring friends!

Thanks!

[Kingsman06]

My only complaint is it ended way to soon!  I spent two full days there and needed a third to see everything.

[Blackpowder Barbie]

What a great show - way too much to see in two days!!  It was great seeing all of ya'll that stopped by the booth or caught me out dodging work.     Since I was re-elected to the board of directors if anyone has any suggestions for any changes, please let me know and I'll pass them along. 

Don, I had the turkey but Mom and Dad didn't.  I am now even more thankful for my new husband.  He has a sensitive tummy so I've learned to carry Imodium-AD in my travel items.  Well, it sure came in handy for me this time on Sunday morning.  Don't think it would have been a very fun drive at all back to NC if it weren't for that.  Worst part was I avoided all the usually suspects that cause concern in such an event, but never thought about dodging the turkey.  Oh well, this is two years in a row for me and the food - I think I'll skip the food next year and just go for the mint juleps and socializing!!

Oh, if any of you guys want to buy raffle tickets for the House Project rifle to be given away at next year's show, please let me know.  I have quite a few to sell at $5.00 each or 5 for $20.  Here is a link to the upcoming info page on the project.  http://www.housebrothersproject.com/home.html.  It is my understanding that they also filmed over 60 hours of the work that went into the rifle and are working on editing it into a video that will be ready for next year's show. 

[don getz]

Glad to see that not too many suffered ill effects of the food.  Sure wouldn't want it to detract from the hospatility of
Frank and Lally, they are such great people.  They have done an outstanding job on that house.  I went thru the same
thing about 30 years ago with a little stone house....looking back now, I would never do it again, an awful lot of work.
I hope all of those that displayed at this years show will be rested up enough to do it again next year.  It would be great
if they could just read all the comments posted on this forum.  I even got an order for a "deluxe" barn gun....it must have
a buttplate, sideplate, entry pipe, and nose cap...gee, I guess that just about makes it a normal gun, hmmmmm.......Don