Civil War Shows

[John V]

I have been to two Civil War artifact shows both at Gettysburg (1980's and two years ago).

What is the biggest and best show to find a large selection of the Civil War items for sale? I was looking at the show index and they seem to be mostly back east but in a number of different states, North & South.

My impression from the last Gettysburg show is similar to modern gun shows-not many deal and in fact often more expensive then you can find locally or on line. I guess it is assumed that this is a "captured" audience and mark up items accordingly. Before I moved out west I would often find Civil War items at modern gun shows in North Carolina or Virginia at decent prices/quality but it was hit or miss. Maybe some of you have the same impressions.

Please give you your feedback and advise on shows to visit.

John

 

[alan polk]

It probably depends on what sort of relics you like. I know among ACW artillery collectors and dealers, I've heard the Marietta, GA show is good and maybe the Richmond show.

 

[UCVRelics]

The Richmond show IMHO is the best one but then I also setup at the Memphis Show, Franklin, Corinth, Marietta Brandon Ms and our Alabama Gun Collectors Association show in 2 weeks in Hoover Al. I used to do the Gettysburg shows but it got to where there were 1.5 million bullets, 300,000 buttons 2000 arty shells if you get my meaning. Anything in-particular your looking for?

 

[John V]

The Richmond show IMHO is the best one but then I also setup at the Memphis Show, Franklin, Corinth, Marietta Brandon Ms and our Alabama Gun Collectors Association show in 2 weeks in Hoover Al. I used to do the Gettysburg shows but it got to where there were 1.5 million bullets, 300,000 buttons 2000 arty shells if you get my meaning. Anything in-particular your looking for?

I will be looking for long arms as my original posting discusses. Specifically a Southern Enfield import.

And yes some shows are to specialized. We went to the Sacramento gun show last weekend and you might as well call it the AR-15 & knife show...

 

[mofederal]

I do the All wars show in Franklin/Nashville. I hear a lot about the December Civil War Show in Franklin/Nashville. It has been there in Franklin for awhile now. Been there since 2001 or so. You forget these things. A lot of people in the Midwest, Tenn. and around the area Ala. Miss., Ga. go tp it. I hear great things about it.

 

[PjH]

The Richmond show IMHO is the best one but then I also setup at the Memphis Show, Franklin, Corinth, Marietta Brandon Ms and our Alabama Gun Collectors Association show in 2 weeks in Hoover Al. I used to do the Gettysburg shows but it got to where there were 1.5 million bullets, 300,000 buttons 2000 arty shells if you get my meaning. Anything in-particular your looking for?

Hello: I'm just starting to collect and am interested in a few items (sword, ect) appropriate for a novice collector.
Thanks.. PjH

 

[hrobalabama]

I use to attend the CW expos and shows large and small. I founf the one in Franklin, TN (Nashville) one of the best to sell.
I sold 12 CW guns at the last one I attended.

 

[cwbuff]

The Baltimore Show in March each year. See http://www.baltimoreshow.com

 

[Specster]

Its been my experience that prices at these shows are very high.......and its not unusual to see people selling reproductions as genuine ACW artifacts

 

[mofederal]

If it's like WWI and WWII items, prices are a bit down. It is hard to say when prices will go back up if ever, maybe never and only the rare stuff will stay up in price.

 

[Specster]

Its been my experience that prices at these shows are very high.......and its not unusual to see people seeing reproductions as genuine ACW artifacts

Even if you are schooled, it often hard to tell if an item is authentic or not - beyond the basics (maker marks , cartouch, inspector stamps, proof marks, I take rare earth magnets and a jewlers loop. If you see the seller getting really angry about this, you should walk away. These guys that s.ell at "shows" are here today and gone tomorrow - unlike the permanent store 20 miles from home. If had sellers tell me - it a repro - and had others swear that the item was authntic just to find the same item on ebay from 4 different sellers for pennies on the dollar.

That is why legit sellers have "preview periods". It often takes me days to figure out if something if authentic.

This is why defarbing pisses me off. Really, if you are re-enacting - do you really need to have proof marks stamped on your Enfield??? It muddys the waters to no end

Caveat emptor