Las Vegas Gun Show Report

[Eldon Goddard]

The only one that followed me home. A early 12 gauge 30'' lefever from a very nice gentlemen who understood my desire to own a field grade from every major U.S. maker. Also pictured is my collection so far.

[Pa SxS]

Yup, just flew back home from Vegas and boy are my arms tired

No doubt this is the best and largest gun show I've seen. Two huge rooms for gun vendors and smaller rooms too. One smaller room for Wells Fargo guns and accessories. I should have asked them to show me how real Wells Fargo guns are stamped. We've all seen pictures of Parkers with the Wells Fargo stamp.

Nice meeting Drew Hause, a super gentleman. Met John Gardner and Eldon Goddard for the first time. Visited Josh at the J.D. Julia booth and looked at the A-1 Special coming up for auction soon. Talked to Dave Noreen and David Lein but missed seeing Pat Lein at his booth. I did see that A-1 Special repro but didn't realize it was at Larry Baer's table. I really wanted to meet Larry because his two volume set of books really tweeked my interest in Parkers.

I didn't buy anything and managed to break even at the casino's so all in all, a fun mini vacation in Vegas.

[Wild Skies]

I went to the show seeking a gun that I've been searching for for years---an all original 12-ga. Parker D-Grade fishtail toplever hammergun. Unfortunately, I did not see one example, nor a higher grade being offered. The only one that came close was originally just what I was looking for, except it had been converted to hammerless. Someone obviously put a lot of work into its conversion, filling in the hammer axle screw holes, engraving over them, etc. Did anyone else see it?

[Pa SxS]

Josh Loewensteiner and I looked at it. I didn't think it could be done but it was. The barrels were original hammer gun barrels with the check hook. Cocking was done by use of 2 rods the ends of which could be seen at the receiver knuckle. Reciprocal cut outs were in the forend. The gun looked like a typical hammergun less the hammers and firing pins.