Allentown PA Gun Show and sad news
Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 9:07 am
So I drove down to the Allentown Forks Show yesterday on a quick turnaround because I had a commitment for later in the day. First off in the door I heard sad news from Ron Hartman of the Hartman Brothers/Elmira Arms that his brother Richard passed on St Patrick's day. I knew Rich was ill for some time but the last time I saw him two shows ago he seemed fine and in good spirits. The Hartmans have been fixtures at the better gun shows here in the east for as long back as I can remember. Rest in peace Richard.
Saw a nice 20 gauge 26” SW with Simmons vent rib and very nice classy restock, walking around. The price was right/negotiable but second time I looked at it I saw the barrels were bent upwards probably by Simmons when they did the VR on the original low comb stock, then the gun was later restocked and I was pretty sure it would shoot really high. I passed. Also saw a 4th gen Ithaca NID with two barrels numbered to the gun, 16 gauge, both 28”, one choked 1 & 2 and the other 2 & 4. Nice combo. Also had an original sunburst pad. I was kind of interested but condition was a notch below what I wanted. One miss perhaps was a 12 gauge Phila SW Ejector gun 30” walking around. Not collector quality but decent original condition/hunting wear. I passed on it while in the member line waiting for the door to open, and later saw a dealer forking over the cash. Also was tempted by a Winny Model 12 Black Diamond solid rib Trap gun, all original with perfect screws but again the condition was off a notch or two. A poorly refinished 32" 12 ga SW was one one table for $1795. I don't record the s/n but it didn't have a "0" in the fourth place. A few other random smallbore and 12 ga SW’s, one reworked early A grade 12 ga straight grip…. nothing to write home about. I was only there a few hours and there were guns walking in when I left so who knows what came in later? One gent was hanging out outside the door with a 28" late Utica SW, 12 gauge, extractor gun probably 99.8% screamer condition but he was just getting "bids" on it. Trips like this are usually dry runs but then one day the Red Gods smile. But overall, good Foxes are getting harder and harder to find.
Frank
Saw a nice 20 gauge 26” SW with Simmons vent rib and very nice classy restock, walking around. The price was right/negotiable but second time I looked at it I saw the barrels were bent upwards probably by Simmons when they did the VR on the original low comb stock, then the gun was later restocked and I was pretty sure it would shoot really high. I passed. Also saw a 4th gen Ithaca NID with two barrels numbered to the gun, 16 gauge, both 28”, one choked 1 & 2 and the other 2 & 4. Nice combo. Also had an original sunburst pad. I was kind of interested but condition was a notch below what I wanted. One miss perhaps was a 12 gauge Phila SW Ejector gun 30” walking around. Not collector quality but decent original condition/hunting wear. I passed on it while in the member line waiting for the door to open, and later saw a dealer forking over the cash. Also was tempted by a Winny Model 12 Black Diamond solid rib Trap gun, all original with perfect screws but again the condition was off a notch or two. A poorly refinished 32" 12 ga SW was one one table for $1795. I don't record the s/n but it didn't have a "0" in the fourth place. A few other random smallbore and 12 ga SW’s, one reworked early A grade 12 ga straight grip…. nothing to write home about. I was only there a few hours and there were guns walking in when I left so who knows what came in later? One gent was hanging out outside the door with a 28" late Utica SW, 12 gauge, extractor gun probably 99.8% screamer condition but he was just getting "bids" on it. Trips like this are usually dry runs but then one day the Red Gods smile. But overall, good Foxes are getting harder and harder to find.
Frank