Michigan Antique Arms Show going strong
A Report From The Second Oldest “Gun Show” in America by Peter Suciu While some states have attempted to ban, or at least tightly limit, gun shows there is little…
A Report From The Second Oldest "Gun Show" in America
by Peter Suciu
While some states have attempted to ban, or at least tightly limit, gun shows there is little worry that one of the longest running shows would be run into such trouble. Gun ownership is taken seriously in Michigan, which is home to Michigan Antique Arms Collectors, Inc. The group began in 1947 as the Michigan Gun Collectors Association and now regularly holds four regional-sized shows each year.
"The show has been running at the Novi Expo Center for more than a decade," said Greg Zemsta, business manager for the Michigan Antique Arms Collectors, Inc. "Our club was formed in 1947 and we're the second oldest gun collecting club in the country."
The show and the club may be based in the Wolverine State, but dealers and attendees come from much further away.
"We've got gentlemen who come from Connecticut and Missouri and parts further," Zemsta told Military Trader. "Our mission remains to educate the public of history arms, military history and western history.
These shows feature antique and collectable firearms from the Revolutionary War to modern times, with upwards of 500 tables including antique arms, swords, knives and uniforms. In addition to the aisles of treasures that can be bought and sold, the organizers regularly offer unique displays – with past examples including "Firearms of Gangland Chicago," "Small Arms and Uniforms of the Spanish American War" and "Guns that Tamed the Old West."
At the most recent event, which was held over the weekend of April 25-26 at the Novi Expo Center north of Detroit, Michigan, the focus was on rare Japanese rifles of World War II and a British World War II dispatch rider display, complete with original BSA motorcycle!
Upcoming shows will be held Sept.19th- 20th and Nov. 28-29.
Peter Suciu is a freelance journalist and when he isn't writing about militaria you can find him covering topics such as cybersecurity, social media and streaming TV services for Forbes, TechNewsWorld and ClearanceJobs. He is the author of several books on military hats and helmets including the 2019 title, A Gallery of Military Headdress. Email him and he'd happily sell you a copy!
