It was great to get the chance to meet for the first time other members of the PGCA.
Chuck, Eldon, and I got to sit down at a quiet restaurant and talk outside the Riviera thanks to Dr. Drew Hause - a real gent. Josh L and Drew helped me buy an early Lifter in shooter shape and Dr. Drew then measured the chambers and barrels for me which was a great education so I kept the LC calendar he was pawning off on all the PGCA guys.
Pat Lien sold me a nice Parker shell that the TSA ripped off in one, of two, in transit luggage inspections
Meeting Pat however was far more valuable and enjoyable regardless.
I was a little disappointed in that, while it was a great chance to see top flight Parkers (Chuck arranged for Eldon and I to examine and shoulder that A1 Special!!
) Most of the guns were priced high or even silly.
(Excluding John D and Pat L. who both had nice Parkers and I thought fair prices).
Passed on a nice engraved Colt hammer gun that I still might go back for if available. Larry Shelton did finish his book on Clabrough shotguns and it is well worth the price. He does have some nice guns. If anybody out there is
interested in Colt's he also had an original copy of Armsmear for sale (2K?).
I did buy two percussion doubles that I know absolutely nothing about other than I bought a beautiful 16 ga 'Husky' hammer gun from the same gentleman last year and got great value and made a friend so I picked these up on faith. Small world in that one of them is another 'Parker'.
All in all a great show to see and learn. Sorry I didn't get to meet some of the other Parker guys there. Our Pre-show attempt to set up a meet at the Lefever booth came up a little short in that only three of us plus Drew were able to coordinate.
The Riviera stinks as a place to sit down for a quiet libation, and we all like to be walking the floor or manning booths during show hours, so maybe in future years we could organize a pre-show breakfast or post show cocktail hour off site but easy walking distance for those interested.
Almost forgot that Chuck very patiently reviewed - thank you sir! - some pictures of a very early Parker Maker gun for me that came from the last Rock Island auction. I will post pics for feedback in the next while.
All in all have no problem recommending this show.
Hope to see everyone again at this or one of the eastern venues. Cheers JG