Court Days

[Mike Franzen]

In Kentucky, we have a tradition dating back over 200 years called "Court Days". In the small town of Mt. Sterling, in the eastern Appalachian region, tens of thousands of people from all parts of the state and all across the country gather to buy, sell and trade every kind of item imaginable. As I make this pilgrimage each year I am drawn to the guns that turn up by the thousands in hope of finding something I need to add to my modest collection. At Court Day there are no background checks that I am aware of, no FFL calls to get permissions, no paperwork and no one raising any concerns about the thousands of people who are toting guns of every description all around town. This has been going on for 200 plus years and as far as I know there has never been any problems. Today I saw several Parker's for sale. One was a GHE 12 gauge for $800. It had clipped barrels and mismatched numbers. There was a PH with the nickle plated frame that I've seen before, also for $800. Leaning up against a railing was an old 10 gauge lifter. It was off face, pitted and the stock was cracked. Asking price $400. A beautiful CG Bonehill side lever was walking around with a $400 price tag also. Tight and right in every respect but, when I inquired about the 20" barrels I was informed, "they were all made that way over there". Didn't buy any of those but, I did buy a nice Berretta 92 A1 9mm for my sons 25th birthday. Hottest selling item this year - the bamboo pillow! I bought two.