Welcome
to the
Utah Gun Collectors Association
March 2000 Gun Show
Celebrating 40 years of service 1960-2000
 Click here for date and location of our upcoming shows

Here are some samples of the educational displays presented by UGCA members.
We hope you enjoy them.  Part of the pleasure of gun collecting is learning about the historical, technical, and artistic features associated with firearms.  Gun shows provide members, and the general public, a chance to appreciate these aspects.

If you collect guns, we invite you to join UGCA.
Membership benefits include for free admission to all UGCA shows, reduced table rates, and a great newsletter.
 Click here for membership information and application

Copyright 2000 by Utah Gun Collectors Association.  All rights reserved.  Box 711161, salt Lake City, UT  84171


Let's go to the UGCA gun show!

Craig W's award winning display of "brass Guns, 1855-1866"
It was an exciting  privilege to see so many examples of these very rare early cartridge guns made with brass frames.  Most collectors are delighted to ever own a single example of these scarce and valuable guns.  A special thanks, and "Judges Choice" Award to Craig  for sharing this museum quality collection with UGCA members and guests.


The smallest are "Volcanic" model arms (first made by Smith & Wesson before they got into the revolver business) that used a primitive cartridge with the primer and powder in the base of the bullet, an idea which has been tried again several more times over the next 140 years. Only about 8,000 total were made between 1855 and 1860.
 Click here to see more of the Volcanics
Click here to see more of the Volcanics
Click here to see more of the Volcanics


The longer rifles with no wood on the forends are "Henry" rifles.  Only about 14,000 were made circa 1860-1866.  These were the first practical lever action magazine rifles of what became the Winchester series.  It is interesting to note that modern replicas of the Henry rifles are now available
Click here to see more of the Henry rifles
Click here to see more of the Henry rifles


The rifles with wooden "forends" are Model 1866 WInchesters, often called "yellow boys" for their glowing brass frames.  About 170,000 of these were made.  The silver looking ones in the photos are silver plated.
Click here to see more of the 1866 Winchesters
Click here to see more of the 1866 Winchesters
Click here to see more of the 1866 Winchesters
Click here to see more of the 1866 Winchesters

Click here to see visitors learning more about one of Craig's Henry rifles


Jim C. brought out his "Colt .22 caliber Single Action, Frontier Scout, New Frontier, and Peacemaker" display for a 1st Place Award.
Jim is a safety engineer for the U.S. Air Force.  His display really shows the variety of models made in a short time, and explains the reasons for a lot of the changes.  Beautifully done, and always attracts a large crowd.



Jim brought a SECOND display- the evolution of the Colt Dragoon- can you tell which model is missing?


Larry A. and a magnificent assortment of Luger Pistols and related items, 2nd Place Award
Larry is a real student of these, and can explain the reasons for the many different variations shown.  The basic Luger semi-automatic design was invented in 1893.

 Click here to see more of this display


"Springfield Armory's Search for Firepower: 1864-1872--
Eight Breechloaders in Eight Years" presented by John S. for 3rd Place Award.
To see all of this display including explanations click here 
Contrary to popular myth, Springfield tried many different designs to arrive at the best rifle for U.S. forces at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the cartridge era.  Many used salvaged musket parts to reduce costs, and all were made in small numbers as better designs came along rapidly.

In 1870-71 surplus Civil War carbines were modified into infantry rifles and sent to troop in the field for tests. About 1,000. Sharps carbines were converted to shoot .50-70 cartridges, and about 1,000 Spencer carbines were converted.  The Remington "rolling block" system had been adopted by the Navy starting in 1867, and in 1870- Springfield began making rifles using this system.  Eventually all these were discarded in favor of the cheaper and simpler "trapdoor" system.
 


Here are four different "Trapdoor" rifles based on designs by Erskine Allin, Model 1865 (5,000 made); Model 1866 (25,000 made); Model 1868 (51,000 made); and Model 1870 (11,500 made)
Click here to see full length view of  these rifles

  The first breech loading rifles made at Springfield were 3,000 of these "Joslyn" rifles made in early 1865, too late for use in the Civil War, but showing Springfield's commitment to providing cartridge arms as soon as possible to replace the old muzzle loaders made previously.

The first bolt action rifles made at Springfield were 1,000 "Ward-Burton" single shot .50-70 caliber rifles in 1871.

Click here to see ammunition used with these rifles
Click here to see various tools used with these rifles


Miss H. with some "Small Pistol Varieties"
Most of these were made between 1850 and 1900.  Many percussion and mostly cartridge guns are included, and the term "Derringer" would be applied to most today.  Advanced collectors will realize that this wonderful collection with several dozen different examples  is just a small sample of the many innovative designs made during that period.  Don't miss the section with cast iron toy guns, including some really old cap guns.

Over 20 different guns are shown here, the most famous type is the "Philadelphia Derringer" at the top center by the playing cards.  This is the type of gun used to murder President Lincoln in 1865.

Click here for close up of the Philadelphia Derringer

Two guests enjoying the variety of guns in this collection.


Cast Iron toy guns.  Much scarcer in many cases than the real guns.

Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display


"The Minute Men" by Dave G.
Dave is a plumber who is active in living history events and shares his knowledge with many school events.  Of course, such learning experiences will be ended if the anti-gun people succeed in banning all guns in schools.  That will not stop criminals, only good guys like Dave.

Dave and his friends use exact reproductions of the originals which are too expensive and fragile for actual use.


More than just guns, many other implements to make camp, cook or just survive in the sparsely settled wilderness were part of the soldier's load during the revolutionary War (1776-1783).


"The gulf War"
Compliments of an Air Force officer who acquired most of these neat items "over there".  An amazing display of what American GI's think is "Cool" and the sort of stuff the Iraqi forces had with them.

Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display


"Wacko Colts- Crazy Cutoffs and Cut-ups"
Jerry D's collection has the interest of a young future collector.  Jerry started when he was not much older than this lad.  After graduating from West Point, and a career as an Air Force fighter pilot, Jerry shares some of this collection with us.



"Arms of Springfield Armory" by George F.
Wonderful examples of some of the key weapons made at Springfield.  As a skilled machinist, George appreciates the work that went into these.

Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display



"Survival and Emergency Equipment"
Another fine sampling from the Western Military History Association, represented by Ed, Jonathan, and Carl.



"Three Days of Hell- July 1-2, 1863" (Gettysburg)
Mel M. Was not there, but some of this collection may have been. The hardtack biscuit was really neat!

Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display



Colt Custom Shop's Artistry-
"Consecutive Colt saa revolvers- A Study in Numbers"
Paul M's  beautiful display of ten the finest Single Action Army revolvers ever made with nearly every possible combination of special features, sequel finishes, engraving, etc.  You should hear the "rest of the story" about the problems getting the project finished despite personnel turnovers, company reorganizations, etc.

Click here to see more of this display
Click here to see more of this display



 Stevens Single Shot Rifles and Pistols from the Collection of Ralph S.
 These were made by the tens or hundreds of thousands, but are quite scarce today, as most were abused by youthful shooters in the happier days when young people shot cans and rats instead of each other.  The availability of guns is not the cause of this, nor the solution.




"Shooters- A Little Old and A little New"
Mike H. shows  a variety of his favorites.



South Pacific Souvenirs
Larry J's interesting collection of souvenirs sent home by GIs in the Pacific during WW2.



Colleen representing the Utah Shooting Sports Council
Providing the latest information on legislation concerning safe and legal use of guns.  Many women are fighting hard  to protect the gun rights of law abiding citizens.


safes are good for storing firearms and all sorts of other household valuables.  Most are made right here in Utah, but Ira is selling some made in a nearby state.
The Utah legislature almost passed a bill allowing a $150 tax credit for purchase of a safe for household use, which would have encouraged more people to make valuable harder to steal or fall into the hands of children.  Maybe next year.



Don V's Amazing Indian Items
Don was raised with a Native American family, and has always appreciated the historic and practical nature of their moccasins, clothing, beadwork, tools, etc.  A good friend to all UGCA members.



 Steve E.- Showing Old Pistols and Staring at the Camera
He's really very friendly, just looks grumpy here.


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