|
| ||||||||||||
|
The Secretary's Desk Happy New Year to everyone! To start the year out right, we have a special story on page 3 of this issue by one of our members. We’ll have another story by a long time member in the next April mailed issue too, and I would like to encourage anyone with a story to share to submit the story via email if possible or in writing if not. Gene Gilbert has resigned the board position of Vice-president. He stated, “My decision was based for the most part on our show schedule for the coming year. I felt it was in the best interest of the club and the board to have a Vice President that could attend all of the club shows and better serve the members. I have enjoyed serving with [the board] and will continue to serve the best interest of the Arizona Arm's in any way I can.” Speaking for the club, I would like to extend thanks and best wishes to Gene and Suzanne whose positive endeavors have made a difference. In this write-up I want to include thanks to our Treasurer, Peggy who not only takes care of the club finances, and insurance issues but works hard on advertising our shows and a whole lot of other things. She reported that our November show was much better than we had hoped for the first one and the December Pima show was very good. As reported in our online newsletter, Hannah Kimsey-Siegel, wife of John Siegel and a member of our club since 2000, passed away October 18th. We also lost long time member Tom E. Sears on December 5th, husband of Sherri Sears, and a member since 1983. Greg Lelo’s been lying low from a couple of slipped disks. We hope to see him soon. Please include Suzanne Gilbert in your prayers as she undergoes medical treatment. In conclusion I would like to relay part of a letter I received from one of our members - sent along with his membership renewal... We had a surprise waiting for us when we arrived back home... We were invited to the White House, Washington D.C. A Korean War friend from California of whom I have been writing letters, some 193 of them over the past 25 years, was to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, (M.O.H.). Jean and I were in the East Wing of the White House on the afternoon of September 23rd and witnessed President Bush place the Medal of Honor around my friend’s neck. Six of we Veterans formed a committee to get the Army to recognize Tibor Rubin as a true hero. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor three times in Korea. So finally, after waiting 55 years he received his medal of Honor. After the award ceremony at the White House, we were taken to the Pentagon with a Police escort for another ceremony. Tibor’s name is now on the wall in the Hall of Heroes. You may be wondering why it took 55 years for m friend Tibor Rubin to get his Medal of Honor. He is Jewish, and the U.S. Army was very much against awarding the Medal of Honor to a Jew. We, our committee, had the help of U.S. Congressmen and one U.S. Senator. The paper-work on his case was hand carried to five U.S. Presidents. Yes, we did a lot of work. There were three of us from our committee at the White House. We stayed in D.C. for six days and saw a lot of the Monuments, had a tour of the U.S. Capitol and saw several of the Museums of the Smithsonian. Tibor Rubin was wounded twice; his second wound was very bad from shrapnel. He was taken prisoner by Chinese soldiers when they over-ran his battalion November 2, 1950. Tibor now is the only living member left from his Rifle Company. He was held a P.O.W. for two and one half years. Bud Collette 5th R.C.T. Korean War (20-year Member of Arizona Arms Association) Club News The Arizona Arms Association welcomes these new members to the club for the last quarter! Robert Armentrout - Tucson, AZ Michelle Garcia - El Paso, TX Frank Delaney - Buckeye, AZ Rob Follmer - Tucson, AZ Edward Hutchinson - Carefree, AZ Larry Jennings - Tucson, AZ Scott Kleese - Tucson, AZ Thomas Knight - Tucson, AZ Dan Meigs - Tucson, AZ Jonathan Mott - Gilbert, AZ Jo H. Rhodes - Elgin, AZ Garrett Roberts - Camp Verde, AZ Ralph Shepard - Sierra Vista, AZ Mrs. Ron Shipman - Surprise, AZ Larry Silva - Prescott Valley, AZ Bill Skibbe - Tucson, AZ Harry Viezens - Payson, AZ Scott Zike - Peoria, AZ And WELCOME BACK to the members who have re-joined. ? Our next general membership meeting will be held Saturday February 4, 2006 at Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson. All members are invited to attend.? (Revised) Our next mailed newsletter will be January/February 2006 when we will mail a special newsletter. ? Call Walt for table reservations for our next Gun & Knife show to be held February 4 & 5th at Pima Co. Fairgrounds, Tucson. Cowboy Poetry BEING CREATIVE WITH TROUBLESOME KIN You are working on your
family genealogy and for sake of example, let's say that your
great-great uncle, Remus Starr, a fellow lacking in character, was
hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in
1889.
Quote: "Some scholars mistakenly believe that the function of the preamble is to restrict the keeping and bearing of arms to members of the militia." Leonard W. Levy, Origins of the Bill of Rights, Paperback 1999 edition, Chapter 6, Page 133.
Pima County Gun & Knife Show (Tucson) Reserve your
tables now! The Arizona Arms Association is holding its next show at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson. Our annual February 4-5, 2006 gun and knife show coincides with the International Gem and Mineral Show and we always have a BIG crowd at this event. You need to reserve hotel rooms early! Call Walt for information and table reservations... 520 298-0422 |
by Don Nichols Home on military leave in 1946 (USMC), gun collector friends said there was a gun show in Columbus, Ohio. I asked what it was all about and my friends explained that gun collectors displayed their collections on tables. This event was put on by the Ohio Gun Collectors Association. Buying, selling or trading guns in the show area was strictly prohibited. However such transactions could take place outside in the parking lot. Upon arriving at the show in downtown Columbus, Ohio, we were informed that everyone attending must be a member of the association. However the show director waived the rule for me since I was in the military and vouched for by my friends who were members. I said I would join the association. I was informed that in order to join the Ohio Gun Collectors Association, one must also be a member in good standing of the National Rifle Association. I said I would join up at a later date. Upon going to the show, I had never seen so many guns in one place. No modern firearms were permitted of any kind. Generally, most firearms displayed, were from the Civil War period, back through the French and Indian Wars era. I came across one table that was all Civil War cap and ball revolvers. I had been looking for an 1860 Army Colt, in excellent condition for shooting. I asked the gentleman who had the display, if he might have an 1860 Army Colt in shooting condition. He replied that he might have, and if I would stop by his table at noon, we would go out to the parking lot and take a look. At noon, I stopped by his table and we went out to the parking lot. Sure enough, he had a nice 1860 Army Colt, not much finish, but excellent condition, very good bore, good grips, and good nipples. “How much?” I asked. “Seven fifty” he said. Home on military leave, I only had $5.00 to spare, which I offered. The man said “No, I can’t do that”… Needless to say, I was a bit down in the mouth. As we were walking back into the show, the man asked “What’s your name son”? “Don Nichols”, I replied… After a few more steps he stopped. “Would you be any relation to Sam Nichols from Chillicothe”? “Yes, he’s my father”. Sticking out his hand “put ‘er there Don, I’m Dr. Perrin, I am the doctor that helped bring you into the world”… Yep, I got the Colt for $5.00. Don Nichols had been a member of the Arizona Arms Association for 23 years and resides in Tucson, AZ. Report on Our Collectors Show
Other arms collectors clubs also participated. The Arizona Society of Arms Collectors were there, as well as the Arizona Knife Collectors Association and the Santa Barbara Historical Arms Association.
On Saturday, in honor of our Veteran's, a bagpiper was present and played for us all. Member Bob Sachs dressed in vintage 1880's Colonel's uniform carried the American flag.
We had 10 arms displays. Cash awards and First, Second, Third Place and "People's Choice" plaque awards were given away. Winners were as follows:
Bill Venemon won $50.00 and the 3rd place for his display titled Winchester Classics.
2nd place and the $75.00 prize was given to Bob Sachs for his elaborate Winchester display titled THE GUN THAT WON THE WEST.
First place and $100.00 was awarded to Jim Janke for BOY'S SINGLE SHOT RIFLES.
Every person who came in the door on Saturday received a ballot to vote for their favorite display - the People's Choice Award. A check for $125.00 and the award went to Bob Sachs for his Winchester display titled THE GUN THAT WON THE WEST!
A very close runner up for the People's Choice Award went to Larry Kaufman of the Arizona Society of Arms Collectors for his display titled COLT SINGLE ACTIONS 1874-1938. Of special merit in that display was a .44 rimfire single action Army, serial number 250.
All the displays should have won an award - each and every one of them were excellent. A complete list follows:
• The Gun that Won the West - Bob & Janis Sachs
• Colt Pocket Positive Grip Inspection Jig - Bill Rudich
• E. Remington & Sons and American Rimfire Cartridges - Don Sandefur
• A Few .22 LR Single Shot Target Pistols (Featuring Colt Camp Perry and Smith & Wesson Single Shot Pistols) - Larry Timmer
• COLT SINGLE ACTIONS 1874-1938 - Larry Kaufman
• 45 IN Service - Bruce Kaufman
• BOY'S SINGLE SHOT RIFLES - Jim Janke
• Winchester Classics - Bill Venemon
• EARLY DAYS OF LINCOLN COUNTY - Rod Smith
• A SAMPLE OF GUNS AS FOUND IN THE OLD WEST - Harry L. Viezens
2006 ARIZONA GUN SHOWS January 14-15 Crossroads of the West Tucson - 801 544-9125
January 28-29 Firing Pin Ent. Lake Havasu - 602 275-1623
February 4-5 Arizona Arms Assoc. Pima County Fairgrounds - Tucson Show Director: Walt - 520 298-0422
February 11-12 Pioneer Country Kingman - 928 692-0937
February 11-12 Roadrunner Glendale - 602 843-5303
February 18-19 Douglas Rifle & Pistol Douglas - 520 642-3761
February 18-19 Roadrunner Tucson - 602 843-5303
February 18-19 Santa Barbara Historical Arms Assoc. Santa Barbara, CA - 661 299-6436
February 25-26 Crossroads of the West Phoenix - 801 544-91250
February 25-26 Gun Trader Wickenburg - 928 684-2149
March 4-5 Gun Trader Kingman - 928 684-2149
March 4-5 Murphy’s Yuma - 208 324-9644
March 18-19 Camp Verde Show Verde valley - 928-567-0535
March 25-26 Firing Pin Ent. Cottonwood - 602 275-1623
April 1-2 Crossroads of the West Tucson - 801 544-91250
April 8-9 Firing Pin Ent. Casa Grande - 602 275-1623
April 8-9 Murphy’s Gun Show Kingman - 208 324-9644
April 22-23 Crossroads of the West Phoenix - 801 544-91250
. |
My First Gun Show
This premier show turned out some
long-time and not often seen club members who showed up and/or
exhibited at this show, expressing that they wanted to participate
in this special event. Many exhibitors traveled from Texas,
California and New Mexico. By show's end it was already 75% sold out
for next year... and it promises to be bigger and better
yet!