Orvis Sandanona Game Fair

[edgarspencer]

It was a beautiful, crisp fall day in Millbrook for the annual Game Fair at the Orvis Shooting Grounds. For the first time in a few years, there were several gun vendors in attendance.

Robbin Hollow and Steve Barnett Fine Guns were side by side (see what I did there?) and both had wonderful displays. August Morris had an exceptional display of fine Parkers, in addition to many beautiful English and Continental guns. His two 000 frame .410s attracted a lot of attention, as did the 000 frame G grade in Bill Hadfield's (RHO)booth.

I was completely smitten by one particular gun in August's rack, to the extent that I texted my banker, who stayed home to bake apple pies, for a credit check. Oddly, my text messages went unanswered. Must have been poor cellphone coverage.

Attendance at the Game Fair was the highest I have seen in years, to the extent that all parking was full, and they were shuttling in people from an off-site parking lot. The crowds were a mix of Sloan Rangers, and die-hard old men. There was no end to the displays of posh clothing and footwear. As always, they had loads of spectators watching the working dogs. Land Rover had all their new models on display, which mostly left me unimpressed, having cut my teeth on the real ones 50 years ago.

The only downside to the great day was finding, in my absence, that The Fall Leaf Fairy had stopped by and dumped a load of maple leaves everywhere.

[James L. Martin]

I went with my wife, we had a great time. Saw those 2 Parker 410's very nice. Orvis had a nice Arrieta sidelock 28ga. The lobster rolls were to die for. Weather could not have been better. Great time.

[Milt Fitterman]

Parking lot was full at 11 AM and the shuttle bus was working already. Sorry I missed you. I was with my wife and another couple. Talked for a while with Lou Rotelli and ran into a few shooting friends. The weather was perfect, the free alcohol was real nice and the cooking demonstration by the Culinary institute was informative on how to cook wild birds. They also put on a show on how to make cocktails and match it to your wild game dinners. More free alcohol. The booths were pretty much all high end. $160 for a leather belt does not work for me. Years ago there were lots of booths with guns. Hopefully, this is a harbinger of a return to that. Wonderful event worth going to if you are in the area. It is going on today also.

[Ed Blake]

And Robin Hollow and Steve Barnett will not be at the Vintagers?

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Ed Blake

And Robin Hollow and Steve Barnett will not be at the Vintagers?

I recently talked with August at Barnett and Bill at Robin Hollow and both told me they'd be at the Game Fair but not at the VC. That's all I know.

[TOOL MAN]

[QUOTE=edgarspencer;416960] I was completely smitten by one particular gun in August's rack, to the extent that I texted my banker, who stayed home to bake apple pies, for a credit check. Oddly, my text messages went unanswered. Must have been poor cellphone coverage.

Credit check??? Certainly, you've learned by now that all Parkers are $500, Winny lever guns are $550 and A.H. Fox Guns (bespoke of course) are $750.

There are few venues as atmospheric as Sandanona in early autumn. Please enlighten this ex-marketing lad why the hell the Vintagers can't somehow, someway, collab with the Game Fair folks to reinvigorate their Vintage Gunner's Cup and combine it into one, grand, exhilarating event? No doubt, both parties would have to agree to certain concessions, but how could the combination prove to be anything but synergistic??

[Bill Murphy]

I would love to go back to Millbrook for the Vintagers. So would a whole bunch of other people.

[Harry Gietler]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I would love to go back to Millbrook for the Vintagers. So would a whole bunch of other people.

Are you ''Kidding''. With the anti gun laws passed by the last two Moron
Governors in New York it would be a FLOP. Plus only Old Guys Would be their. What these shoots need is to be held in gun friendly states, further West like Ohio. We need
guys that will buy from Vendors. Most all the guys in the East, Don't Buy. We need cash prizes, Not Bling. We need NEW BLOOD, not just the same old, same old guys. Just look at the pictures of the fellows that win the Bling, same guys every time. Put it in the Mid West and I bet most of the Eastern guys don't show up. I was shooting at Ben Avery in Arizona, didn't see one Eastern guy. Vendors smarten up very fast, people don't buy, they stop coming. Ohio would be a Nice
Central location, give a lot of other Parker members a chance to attend and they would have money to spend. It would be a Win- Win for every body.

Harry

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Harry Gietler

Are you ''Kidding''. With the anti gun laws passed by the last two Moron
Governors in New York it would be a FLOP. Plus only Old Guys Would be their. What these shoots need is to be held in gun friendly states, further West like Ohio. We need
guys that will buy from Vendors. Most all the guys in the East, Don't Buy. We need cash prizes, Not Bling. We need NEW BLOOD, not just the same old, same old guys. Just look at the pictures of the fellows that win the Bling, same guys every time. Put it in the Mid West and I bet most of the Eastern guys don't show up. I was shooting at Ben Avery in Arizona, didn't see one Eastern guy. Vendors smarten up very fast, people don't buy, they stop coming. Ohio would be a Nice
Central location, give a lot of other Parker members a chance to attend and they would have money to spend. It would be a Win- Win for every body.

Harry

Ohio is a great idea Harry. I hear Springfield is nice this time of year. Just don't bring your dog or pet goose.

[Bill Murphy]

The Vintage Cup, when first held at Hopkins Game Farm, was a total bust for vendors, end of story. If it weren't for the PGCA annual meeting held at the facility the same weekend, no one would have been there to purchase anything. In contrast with the Vintagers in 2023, the facility proprietors were not at fault. George Hopkins runs a great venue and the low turnout was a mystery to attendees. Hopefully, this year will be different, but all news points to a mediocre event. As I have stated before, I will attend this year's event, but only because I can sleep in my own bed before deciding whether I will be there for a second day.