Often completely overshadowed by the larger SHOT Show, the Antique Gun Show is strategically held during the weekend after SHOT Show (although this year it was held the weekend before). Although possibly not the best antique show in the United States, it certainly ranks highly up there with the quality of firearms brought into it. The majority of everything sold within this show is from the 1800s and early 1900s, with even a few older firearms as well. And unlike SHOT Show which is strictly regulated to media and industry folks, the Antique Arms Show is open to the general public for a small admission fee at the door. Apparently, for the first time since attending SHOT, TFB was able to pay a visit and bring to light a number of the more interesting pieces on display. Although not comprehensive of everything that was on display, this post will highlight some of the odder and more fascinating tables and vendors.

Going into one of the halls was this display by the auction house James Julia. All of these firearms were apart of the auction house’s latest auction.

An example of one of the most expensive shotguns ever sold was on display, a Boss & Co side by side.

Moving into the main show room, we moved between the various tables, taking photographs of some of the more interesting displays. 

Earlier on TFB we had a number of photographs from the French Army Museum in Paris. In that entry we saw a number of early flintlock and matchlock designs that had these almost stake like stocks similar to the example below. The purpose of these was to be able to brace the musket against your armor.

This is a .22 LR prototype of the M1 Garand for use by trainees in the service.

Blunderbusss were also on display.

Definitely one of the odder items on display was a Luger within a Luger. Positioned in the buttstock of this Artillery Luger was this reproduction baby Luger. 

A Borchardt was for sale as well, forefather to the Luger handgun.

A modified Mauser C-96 with a permanent stock and longer barrel. If not fake, these are extremely rare from the C-96 line. 

One table had a miniature collection of firearms. Every time I see one of these they continue to baffle my mind by how small they are but more importantly that they actually function. 

What is a miniature collection without miniature helmets?

This was also very interesting, a sculpture artist that creates to scale models of small arms and figures. The name of the company is David Paul Vennell Studios. 

A wire stock/holster setup for a Luger.