2024 Vintage Gunners Cup
 

Thru emails with Hopkins people and Mr. Haney at the Vintagers it appears there WILL BE two 8 gauge events at Hopkins during the Vintage Cup events this year . A five stand like last year and a thirty bird 8 gauge event on the course like we’ve had at Hausemann’s and The Rock this year . So keep October 3-5 open . I plan to be the on the 3rd and 4th .

We’ll be in Vermont chasing the wily pa’tridges and woodcocks. This is something I will NEVER compromise. I choose my priorities with great care.

If the Vintagers were any time other than right smack in my hunting dates I would most definitely attend, but…





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It seems something may have been lost in communications between
myself and the Vintagers were going to do as far as the 8’s were concerned and trophies may or may not be there
. If there aren’t 8 events and or trophies I won’t be an over nighter but may go one day and go home the same day .

Well I recieved an email from Mr. Haney today saying the 8 gauge on the course event is a go this year and should be on Scorechaser in the next couple days for those that pre register .

Weong thread :bigbye:

Having been to almost every Vintage Cup from its Rhode Island beginnings, through the Sandanona years and all the other stops along the way, including last years disaster in Pennsylvania, I think it’s fair to say that this annual event has run out of steam! The vendor attendance is just a shadow of past years and visitor attendance is following suit.

Who went on Thursday and Friday and can give us a report?

I was there bright and early this morning! There were just a few vendors, maybe 7-8, all housed in a small barn behind the clubhouse. It was a tight layout and a bit cramped. The LC Smith collectors association had a few tables, but no Parker of Fox presence. There were not very many shooters that I saw—less then 75 by mid morning. Maybe more will show up tomorrow, Saturday. It’s clear to me that last years debacle did serious damage to this organization. Barring some sort of miraculous renaissance, this was my last VC! I'm sorry my report couldn’t be more hopeful!

Was there Thursday . Nice day saw plenty folks I knew . 8 gauge event was a little light , but after checking the other pre-lim events many were light .

More shooters in attendance today. Good targets, small bore was challenging. Vendors not as numerous as in days past, but quality was definitely there. More British offerings than anything. Food truck was meh and expensive. I had fun and caught up with a few folks.

Agree with Ed and Craig. Vendors were few, maybe 8 tables (?) and heavy on the European guns. Steve Cobb was set up but a very limited display compared to Ernie's or the Southern. Food truck was a joke but there was Molly's down the road if you were willing to leave the club. George Hopkins and crew were well prepared and things run well albeit a light crowd. Target prices were $67/50 and carts were $100/day. I guess if you want to play you have to pay. Still great to see old friends, really the only reason I attend, but I'm afraid the bloom is off the rose as they say.

Makes me appreciate Ernie's and especially Mike and Sam's shoot even more. Mike's bling puts the VGC offerings to shame, his targets are world class and it's still affordable.

Score chaser shows 101 entrant numbers of those I knew 21 and saw a couple more folks I knew that were there just to look around . I like the place well enough , but I like Pintail Point as well as Schraders also . Competition is grand without a doubt but seeing friends has become a huge part of these things atleast for me :cool: You know a guy that’s not a Parker guy but goes to just about all of these things is Frank Finch , he goes and puts out the Smith display and I think rarely shoots . Frank deserves credit for what he does .

Got to back up Craig on Frank Finch. If there is an LC Smith shooting in an event he will be there with a smile on his face. I've always said, to me, it's about the guys first and then the guns.

Frank and I have had many conversations over the years about the philosophy of collecting and displaying. I think I can say we were always of one mind regarding it all - the opportunity for people to see representative guns across all grades and gauges offered by a specific maker, along with the educational bent of why people should be at all interested in them as a facet of American gunmaking at its finest. Frank's displays are always top notch and slightly changed from the previous one - his display at the VC featured another near-mint .410 Smith field grade raffle gun! And Daryl is right - Frank always seems to "be there"!