News from the office: We have heard the concerning news that our old home gunshow, The Nations Gunshow out near Dulles Airport in Chantilly VA has lost it’s prime location as the present venue will soon become an Ikea. The last show to be held there will be in November and after that there is no certainty that it will resume. The big issue is the lack of a suitable venue to replace the existing one. I doubt that there is a hall of sufficient size within 75 miles of the old location that could handle a 1300 table show, let alone the stigma and negative connotations that can arise with the term “gunshow” with venue owners. This show has been around for well over 20 years and has enjoyed an excellent reputation in the past as a well run event that is managed by Showmasters.
As I have been saying for the past few decades gunshows are going the way of the dodo. With only a few exceptions they are totally irrelevant to firearms collecting and are pretty much cheap ammo and camo venues for the general public. Still there is a pull of nostalgia for the old shows and even if they are no longer productive to attend from a collector standpoint you do hate to see them fade away. I’m sure we all have fond memories of finding that treasure laying on some table and the excitement of the find. That old excitement is still around, but now you are finding it as your fingers fumble through the internet.
Please make an appointment if you are stopping by the office. We are more than happy to pull something for you to look at if you have an interest; we just need to know in advance and don’t mind a visit.
