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.

We recommend you just scroll down the page to see everything.
You can also use the links in this table to find a specific item.

 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

Another Browning gun offered was a Model 1897 shotgun, serial number 205300 made in 1904.  The marking reflect the "BROWNING BROS CO OGDEN, UT"

The gun in the styrofoam case at the left is one of two 9mm single shot "CIA Deer Guns" in Ralph's display, out of about 25 known to exist today.  These were CIA assassination weapons, but ordered destroyed following the murder of President Kennedy.  Close ups of the bulky "Liberator and "space gun" styled "Deer Gun" are below.

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When Ralph got his first "Liberator" pistol his wife told him "That is the ugliest gun I have ever seen, but I like it." Little did she realize how extensive his collection would become.  Ralph is a telecommunications engineer when not being a collector, researcher, and author.

Both the above guns trace their origin to this handmade prototype of the "Liberator" with a variety of cast and stamped parts, and seamless tubing for the barrel.  It is a single shot weapon to shoot .45 ACP cartridges.  The grip serves as a storage area for 10 rounds of ammunition.  These were air dropped to resistance fighters in a box with one pistol, instructions and 10 rounds of ammunition.

At the left is one of the original "comic book"  instruction sheets packed with the Liberators, and at right is the cover of Ralph's thoroughly researched book.

WOW!  Can you say "BEAUTIFUL!!!!"?

In case you were wondering how these guns get engraved, here is a skilled artisan hard at work, from a photo in George's exhibit.  All you need is a vise to hold the gun, a hammer, a couple of sharp chisels and a ton of skill and an eye for detail.

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Besides beautiful engraving, fine arms such as these feature stocks made of the finest grades of figured walnut.

Collectors love variety.  Here we see different barrel lengths, different types of magazines, and a whole row of similar looking pistols with different markings or makers.  Lots of these were brought home by American veterans after WW1 and WW2.

"Guns of The Civil War" (Civil War Cavalry items) 3rd Place Award (tie)
Mel M. collects original Civil War items, mainly cavalry arms and equipment.  Here are about half the items from his display the rest hidden by the guest on the left.  Mel is a government employee.  This is Mel's firt display award.

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Mel was also a winner in our costume contest, portraying a Civil War cavalryman.  Here he is admiring a new fangled cartridge revolver.

He really enjoys talking with guests about his displays.  Beautifully done cabinet work and lighting show off the beauty of these guns.

The pistols are all made by Colt, and are known as "second generation" by those who like them, or reproductions by those who do not like them.  They are exact copies of what Colt made circa 1847-1860, except still have all their finish and the price tags are a tiny fraction of what a rusty original would cost.  Note the use of mirrors to show off the handsome blue and color case hardened finish.

The Dragoons were based on the earlier "Walker" model introduced in 1847 and used by Walker's Texas Rangers.  These are BIG and HEAVY guns.  Jimmy has this one out for guests to pick up.  Despite its size and weight, it was a major breakthrough in firepower for mounted troops.

Carrol C. with the Evolution of U.S. Military Pistols"
From the flintlock through percussion arms and the cartridge revolvers, and the semi-automatics of the 20th century.  Carrol is a heating and air conditioning contractor who loves history.

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These were carried by our fighting men (and more recently women too) defending the nation over the last 200 years.  Wish these could speak- maybe of Gettysburg, Appomattox, Indian campaign, san Juan Hill, Belleau Wood, Normandy, Chosin Reservoir.  (UGCA modestly notes that the longest serving US military pistol s the .45 automatic invented by John M. Browning, right here in Ogden, Utah.)

"Echoes of Glory" by Dave G. (Civil War Infantry items)
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.

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Dave has a wide variety of uniforms, arms and camp equipment as used during the Civil War.  Dave and his friends use exact reproductions of the originals so kids can handle them..

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He even has samples of the food soldiers ate, including "hardtack" crackers.  Apparently Dave, one of our costume contest winners thinks the chow is pretty good!

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An original Colt Dragoon cut down to make it easily concealed.  The Colt Army when cut to this configuration was often called an "Avenging Angel" and popular with Porter Rockwell's pals enforcing law in the early days of Utah. Both these are .44 caliber percussion revolvers.

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A smaller Colt "New Police .36 caliber percussion revolver and a Colt "Bisley" .38-40 cut down.
 

Note the Japanese belt and cartridge boxes made of canvas and rubber.

Two friends from the Utah Shooting Sports Council signing up members, getting people signed up for free e-mail alerts, registering voters and distributing information.  They help protect our gun rights!  Thanks guys and gals!

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The Army Reserve has not resorted to selling their guns to support their readiness, but they were here to recruit more soldiers.  Their uniforms, arms, and chow are a lot different from some on display.  Chuck is recruiting more NRA members, proudly displaying the "I'm the NRA" poster featuring Utah Jazz basketball star Karl Malone, who sometimes attends gun shows.  Probably the most recognized person in the state, Karl still has to produce ID and get a background check when he buys a gun.

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One of our security officers checking guns entering the show to be sure they are unloaded and safe to handle.  safety is critical to every gun show.  These two cowboys are recruiting for the local sass (Single Action Shooting Society) group who have shooting matches with old western style events and clothing.  Fortunately they bathe more frequently than the old timers and therefore we are glad to have them around.

Some Stevens pistols and....

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some Stevens rifles for beginning youngsters and advanced competitors.

A superb Sharps buffalo rifle with tang sight-  just like Quigley in the movies, but this is real!

Three cute little .41 rimfire Remington Derringers, and ammo, and silver dollars and a knife.  All set for the next card game/gun and knife fight!

A neat photo of Buck Taylor, a famous old Wild West showman wearing his fabulous leopard skin chaps.  Even neater, it is signed by him on the back, as "presented to Annie Oakley"!

An interesting and often valuable addition to a gun collection is authentic ammunition from the period.  Here is a nice box of .44 caliber Winchester ammunition for use in Winchester rifles.

Remington made the Rolling blocks for many South American Countries and even for France.  The Berthier Mle 1907/15 was made for France, and the Model 1891 Mosin Nagant rifle for the Russian Czar, but both these types were later used by American troops during or after World War 1. The Model 10 Trench gun below is very rare.

A Pattern 1914 .303 rifle made for Britain at Eddystone, and its American cousin the .30-06 Model 1917 Enfield made at Remington's Ilion, NY plant.

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Some U.S military Remingtons, M1911 pistol by Remington-UMC, M1911A1 by Remington-Rand, and WW2 training guns- Model 11 and Model 31 shotguns and Model 513T .22 target rifle.

Some recent Remingtons, a very early  Model 1903 used by New Zealand, a M1903A3, and a M1903A4 Sniper's rifle used by Thailand.  The Model 541-X and Model 870 shotgun are from the 1970s and 1980s.

The "signal pistol" or flare gun is one of 20,000 made by Remington's Bridgeport Connecticut plant, along with the green, white and red flares for it.

Remington made all sorts of ammunition during the 20th century, literally billions of rounds of most types for rifles, pistols, shotguns and machine guns.  One of their plants was in Utah.

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The cake, and the cake being cut and distributed by Vice President Ralph S. and one of our young members.

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