Official Guide to Art Week Great Falls, Montana March 15th-19th, 2023
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/951966
portfolio • 49 WESTERN COLLECTIBLES & ANTIQUE GUNSHOW WESTERN COLLECTIBLES & ANTIQUE GUNSHOW Great Falls MTGUNSHOWS.COM MT EXPOPARK Exhibition Hall MARCH 15•16•17TH Hours: Thurs. 3pm-7pm Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm Firearms, Knives, Books, Artwork, Indian Relics and Much More! For Full Listing INFO CALL 580-5458 Frank Towsley's Ruana Knife Display will be Featured!!! Admission: $5.00 (Weekend Pass) western collectibles and antique gun show March 15 Show open 3-7pm March 16 Show open 9am-6pm March 17 Show open 9am-4pm Exhibition Hall at Montana ExpoPark 400 3rd Street NW Western Collectibles & Antique Gun Show Event Schedule Knife enthusiasts won't want to miss Frank Towsley's world's largest collection of Ruana knives. These knives have grown in popularity for two reasons according to Gillette: "Number 1: They're made in Bonner, MT. Number 2: Rudy Ruana, the founder, had a special stamp so you'd know a Rudy Ruana knife versus one made by his son-in-law or grandsons. Obviously, since there are only a limited number of Rudy Ruana knives, everybody wants to get a hold of one or two of them." While Towsley is a collector and his exhibit is for display only, there may be other vendors at the show who will sell or buy Ruana knives. "We see a lot of families at our shows," Gillette says, "It keeps the hobbyists and enthusiasts and collectors together while getting the younger generations into it." This show has a different atmosphere where shoppers are always looking for that rare gem. "It's like everybody is going to a flea market hoping to find a pair of Crockett spurs," Gillette says. And while you may be thinking Gillette's background with other Montana shows means they'll all be the same, think again. Many of the vendors Dennis Mack has had since the inception of the show will be returning, and as far as the public, "It's a whole different market," Gillette says. The entry fee of $5 for adults is good for all three days and goes to cover the cost of renting the venue and paying for insurance. "I'm not getting rich off it but it's for a bunch of good people. I hope everybody comes to the gun show!" concludes Gillette.