Gun shows and types of sellers

[Stefan A]

I have only been to 2 gun shows in my life - this past weekend being the 2nd time. It was in Harrisburg Pa. I was turned off when I walked in and very prominently was displayed a huge nazi flag at one of the tables. I refused to walk up to it, but from a distance I could see that this was a military/WW2 type of booth. Is this a common sight at gun shows? I am definitely not the type to be very offended at stuff. But it was jarring and I just didn't think this flag had to be displayed with such prominence.

 

[dh1633pm]

People do what people do. Every gun show I ever attended has has war memorabilia. It doesn’t offend. The choice of prominent display might not be a good choice these days.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ya, most shows Ive been to have had a few tables selling WW2 battle flags, but they are usually folded or otherwise diplayed in a more subdued manner- under glass for example.

Actually unfurling and flying a Nazi flag or Rising Sun at a show is kinda tasteless, if not actually against the rules.

I would probably say something to the table operator. He's free to ignore me and Im free to not spend any money with him.

 

[.38 Special]

I stopped going to gun shows decades ago, mostly because there never were very many guns, at least in my neck of the woods.

There was lots of jerky, lots of tee shirts with questionable graphics, and lots of supposed war surplus with Nazi insignia. I've passed over dozens of opportunities to buy Hitler's own personal knife, helmet, lacy underpants, etc.

Between that, the lack of guns, and the cosplaying weirdos, I just have no interest at all.

 

[Stefan A]

Actually unfurling and flying a Nazi flag or Rising Sun at a show is kinda tasteless, if not actually against the rules.

Yeah, there was also a rising sun flag spread out on his table.

 

[AlexanderA]

This whole idea of "Nazi memorabilia" at gun shows is being overblown by the antigunners, to make gun owners look bad. In my experience, the trade in WW2 memorabilia (including Nazi stuff) is driven by historians, collectors, and reenactors, not by neo-Nazis. And remember, most of the "Nazi memorabilia" was originally brought back by American GIs, as souvenirs. Those were the last people who would extol that ideology.

Nevertheless, we need to recognize that sensibilities have changed over time. The vendors need to be discreet in their display of such items.

 

[Dale Alan]

I like Mausers , never gave much thought to the flags . I take no offense to a person collecting anything that is part of this hobby/history , we are all in this together .

 

[shoobe01]

I have, unfortunately, run into way way too many of the sellers, and re-enactors, and so on, who are actually quite enamoured with the Nazi ideals. Worth keeping an eye out for folks who are proud enough of their stuff to display as blatantly as the OP indicated. Serious historical-interest sellers are more circumspect.

I don't do gun shows anymore because of the insane asking prices and how they are like surplus stores anymore: all new made cheap chinese crap, candles, and jerky. They used to be great, some terrific guns I own are from 1990s gun shows.

 

[AlexanderA]

I stopped going to gun shows decades ago, mostly because there never were very many guns, at least in my neck of the woods.

There was lots of jerky, lots of tee shirts with questionable graphics, and lots of supposed war surplus with Nazi insignia. I've passed over dozens of opportunities to buy Hitler's own personal knife, helmet, lacy underpants, etc.

Between that, the lack of guns, and the cosplaying weirdos, I just have no interest at all.

First of all, the gun shows in my area (Virginia / Maryland) do indeed have lots of guns. Yes, they also have lots of other extraneous stuff, but you learn to tune that out. You also learn to tune out the weirdos.

Secondly, it's next to impossible to be a serious gun collector without attending shows. It's the only way to make meaningful price and condition comparisons, and the only way to see so many guns together in one place. Neither gun shops nor the Internet can substitute for the show experience.

I might add that events labeled "gun shows" are only part of the scene. You can also find guns (and other gun-related things) at events like reenactments, North-South skirmishes, military vehicle conventions, etc. It's true that you might have to do a bit more "filtering" at such events, but on the other hand the prices might be a bit better (due to the "arbitrage effect" -- different prices for the same thing at different venues).

 

[CopperClad]

This whole idea of "Nazi memorabilia" at gun shows is being overblown by the antigunners, to make gun owners look bad. In my experience, the trade in WW2 memorabilia (including Nazi stuff) is driven by historians, collectors, and reenactors, not by neo-Nazis. And remember, most of the "Nazi memorabilia" was originally brought back by American GIs, as souvenirs. Those were the last people who would extol that ideology.

Nevertheless, we need to recognize that sensibilities have changed over time. The vendors need to be discreet in their display of such items.

Last show I took my wife to had a gentleman in full Nazi regalia goosestepping allover the show, his table was full of WW2 Nazi crap. I've seen it before, my wife hadn't and was forewarned. We left without buying anything.

Bleep Nazis and nazi wannabe's.

 

[AlexanderA]

I don't do gun shows anymore because of the insane asking prices

Asking prices at gun shows can be a subject for a whole discussion in itself.

Some sellers (or, more properly, "exhibitors") bring their guns to the shows with no real intention to sell. (Maybe they're trying to convince their wives that they are making a good-faith effort to downsize their collections.) So they price the goods astronomically. Either (a) lightning will strike and a buyer will pay the inflated price, or (b) they will go back home with the item. Either way, they're happy.

For those that are interested in selling, remember that "asking price" is only the opening ploy in a negotiation. Some serious bargaining will bring that price down. I've found that even looking at something with a degree of interest will sometimes solicit a lower price without even asking.

There's also the "trading" phenomenon. A lot of transactions at gun shows consist of trading one gun for another. If both parties place high prices on their items, it really is no different than if they both placed low prices on them. But the high prices give them some sort of psychological bragging rights. They can claim (to themselves) that they made a huge profit.

 

[tark]

It is possible that that particular Nazi flag may have been of a higher value, due to size, condition, or the bearing of certain markings. And it is equally possible that that vendor displayed it purely for it's "shock value," knowing it would attract attention. If so, I refer you to the last sentence in post # 10, which I agree with.

 

[AlexanderA]

Last show I took my wife to had a gentleman in full Nazi regalia goosestepping allover the show,

Well-run shows have rules against this sort of thing.

 

[shoobe01]

...For those that are interested in selling, remember that "asking price" is only the opening ploy in a negotiation...

Yeah, a whole topic hence my not going on and providing a full discourse on it. I have bought many things at gun shows in the past, traded many things very successfully. Not now. Maybe it is regional but even the big Tulsa show has far too many barely wiling to negotiate at all, and they want cash so trades are seemingly impossible.

When even milsurp nylon things start at three times the eBay price, why do I even open the conversation with them?

The old days of gun shows are gone IME. I wish they weren't, but they are. At least there are a handfun of gun shops that don't suck, occasionally find neat things on the shelf for good prices still. Sometimes.

 

[AK Hunter]

Well-run shows have rules against this sort of thing.

Yes the larger shows have better prices & the knowledge to not do any disrespectful things like this.

 

[Archie]

I still go to gun shows. As I am a collector, new guns rarely interest me. However, by and large, gun shows are the primary place to find 'old' items; WW1 rifles and such. Occasionally I need some supplies (first aid items for the car and blankets) found at 'surplus' tables. The ammo cans for various small item storage are cheaper at gun shows than at brick and mortar stores.

I find the people at gun shows are easier with whom to converse. All sorts of information is available. Those who already know everything may not find this needed, but I do. Also, I have a number of occasional friends who either sell or attend gun shows. There is a social aspect.

Lastly, are those attending to sell an item. They range from "a guy" who expects to peddle a ratty looking Rhom or RG pistol for a King's ransom to some rather naive person who inherited a really nice firearm from his grandfather and hopes to get $100 for it.

And of course those who sell candy, jerky and jewelry of various qualities. Handy for the odd bits and possibly for a 'no reason' gift for the significant other.

And yes. "Haggling" over the price is usually expected. Many vendors are disappointed in the absence of haggling.

I have noted three types of sellers:
One are those who make a living at this. Including the candy, jerky, jewelry and book sellers. They have to pay for their time, monetary outlay for goods, and the cost of the table.
Two are those collectors who want to find one of the items they do not have and want. Typically, they will have some firearms they do not seek to keep, ranging from the mundane to the exotic. They are usually more reasonable, but have a good idea of what items 'are worth'.
Three are those attendees who want to get rid of something and get cash. They vary.

Do not expect to find the newest firearm for a fire-sale price. You'll be disappointed.

 

[Tirod]

The display of a national flag based on the emblem of a political party is just that - politics.

Nice try sliding that under our noses.

 

[Drail]

The 1st Amendment says you can fly any flag you want and you can fly it as prominently as you want. Any one want to see that Amendment repealed? If a Nazi flag or a Nippon flag is offensive to you then be sure to never open any history textbooks........

 

[Derek Wildstar]

I have only been to 2 gun shows in my life - this past weekend being the 2nd time. It was in Harrisburg Pa. I was turned off when I walked in and very prominently was displayed a huge nazi flag at one of the tables. I refused to walk up to it, but from a distance I could see that this was a military/WW2 type of booth. Is this a common sight at gun shows? I am definitely not the type to be very offended at stuff. But it was jarring and I just didn't think this flag had to be displayed with such prominence.

I lived in PA for 9 years. I've been to all of the Big Shows there -- York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Philly--and a smattering of the small ones. The Huge Nazi flag booth vendors pop up at all of them. At first I didn't think to much about it. But then, over a three year span of going to various PA shows, I would return to my car with recruitment or information flyers on my windshield for the white supremacy groups-- primarily for the KKK but also once from a white aryan group, Although there were no swastikas on the aryan flyer, it put the persistent Nazi Flags and memorabilia vendors into a new light.

 

[edwardware]

. . . then be sure to never open any history textbooks.

History tells us what those flags meant to at least some of the people fighting under them.

 

[gobsauce]

There's a local antique shop called red barn, I think, where they hang a Nazi flag over the cashier. I asked the owner why he hangs it, as he's from down south. Turns out his father brought that back from his tour in Germany. It gives off these odd connotations, specially given the demographics.

 

[tark]

The 1st Amendment says you can fly any flag you want and you can fly it as prominently as you want. Any one want to see that Amendment repealed?

The first amendment is not absolute. You lose some of it when you join the military. You are not allowed to criticize your superiors. Same thing in the workplace. Start telling all of your co-workers what an idiot the CEO is and see how long you last. And it is illegal in most every state and town to to openly fly a Nazi flag.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Oddly enough, all one needs to do is turn on any 'news' program.

You will see different flags flying here in the USA, connoting various groups with radical agendas; some of which are not that far from NAZI ideology.

Keep in mind, Nazi is a shortening of 'National Socialists', and you will be on the right track.

 

[Howland937]

If the guy running the booth was a veteran of WWII and personally removed the flag from a pole in St. Lo, then I'd have no issue with him displaying it in whatever way he chooses. We know that's not likely the case. Otherwise, I don't care if it was a movie prop from "Saving Private Ryan" and signed by Tom Hanks and Matt Damon (not likely either), it never should have been hanging. I don't care if his dad brought it back, there are more tasteful ways of honoring him...and his dad probably didn't bring one home from both fronts. So it's really just tasteless marketing that hopefully repels more customers than it attracts.

 

[Derek Wildstar]

The thing with the Nazi flag vendors at the PA shows that stuck with me, is that the Nazi flag was always at the High center point of the vendor's display. I don't recall there ever being a displayed US flag anywhere near as large, or at all.