Winston Publishing

P.48 ~ PORTFOLIO > w e s t e r n c o l l e c t i b l e s a n d a n t i q u e g u n s h o w TEXT BY AMY JOYNER Photos courtesy of Western Collectibles & Antique Gun Show B eing the biggest and best showing of collectibles and guns during Western Art Week, see the 14th Annual Great Falls Western Collectibles & Antique Gun Show will surely draw thousands to the Exhibi- tion Hall at Montana Expo Hall. But people don't just come as lookie-loos. Many are buyers, too. "Everything we have at this show is for sale," said Dennis Mack, the show's organizer. "For sales, every year seems different. …Last year, the cowboy items – hats, saddles, spurs – they sold slowly. But antique furniture and jewelry did very well," said Mack, who produces the event with show co-chairman Mike Balko. One thing, however, is always certain at the antique gun show, Mack said. People return to see the guns each year. "With this show, so many of the visitors are from out of Great Falls or out of state. These items are hard to buy unless they are at a show like this," he added. Mack remembers a few years ago when a vendor brought a collection that included one pistol priced at $90,000. "This was a very, very small production of Colts from the 1930s. It included that very rare, very collectible Colt. You just don't see them in Montana at all. …I've been doing this for 30 years and those Colts were really neat to see." The Weapons Collectors Society of Montana sponsors this show, along with about 40 others across Montana each year. That organization holds the liability insurance for the show and ensures safety rules are followed. "Every gun that comes in the show, we inspect and put a nylon tie in it to show it can't be opened. That is the policy statewide through our organization," Mack said. Plus, if a federally licensed gun dealer at the show sells a gun, a background check must be done. Laws are also followed for selling antique guns and sales that don't include a dealer. But, collectors come to see knives as well as guns. Per- haps the 1,000 Ruana Knives arranged on nine 8-foot-long tables provide the show stopper. This is the largest collection of Ruana in the world, Mack said, proudly adding that they are made in Bonner, Mont. Knives and guns may be the largest draws at the show, but hoards of Western memorabilia are here, too. Look for Indian relics, collector books, jewelry, artwork, glassware, antique furniture and other curiosities. WESTERN COLLECTIBLES AND ANTIQUE GUN SHOW On the Hunt for Old West and Cowboy Relics WESTERN COLLECTIBLES AND ANTIQUE GUN SHOW SCHEDULE Admission: $5 for the weekend, adults age 18 and older; Free under age 18 Thurs., March 16, 2017: 3 – 7 p.m.: Exhibit Open Friday, March 17, 2017: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Exhibit Open Sat. March 18, 2017: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Exhibit Open MT Expo Park Exhibition Hall, 400 3rd St. NW

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