Has Covid killed the Gun & Knife Show?

[Elkins45]

I'm working on getting my vaccination scheduled if I can get them done by the April show in Sharonville I will go to that show. For those not from the area Sharonville is just a near suburb of Cincinnati I'm sure what you guys say about the shows is true I just want to check them out see for myself

I haven’t been to a Sharonville show in 3-4 years, certainly not since Bill Goodman sold their business to the new people running it. Going to shows across state lines is usually not worth the effort unless you’re specifically looking for reloading components, accessories, or a long gun from a dealer. The Sharonville show always seemed to have a slightly higher percentage of stuff like holsters and accessories than most of the Kentucky shows I usually attend. The few Dayton shows I’ve attended seemed like they had more tables and more interesting stuff.

 

[Ignition Override]

The main thing I miss is, now and then, seeing one-three friends (who live 30 miles away) at gun shows.

One of them died and the rest became disappointed when milsurps vanished.

Correction--One big exception: maybe two years ago a vendor from FL (no idea which town) brought a Huge selection of German Lugers, Mauser Hsc and Sauer 38H, maybe P-38s.
That was only for a single show in Germantown TN (these small shows are still waiting to re-start).

 

[CapnMac]

and WW2 uniform items from grandpa's attic were 80% of modern gun shows.

And, interestingly enough, that has become its own show circuit ("militaria"), so those sorts of items are seldom more than one vendor in the entire show.

 

[welldoya]

It wasn’t COVID that killed gun shows for me. It was the craziness, high prices and packed houses.

 

[pharmer]

Around here the new owner killed the gunshows. Zero walk in action, you must sell to a dealer. The few FFL's have prices set by the owner, crowds blocking the narrow aisles, 3/4 of tables without guns. Unless you go as a "social event" (instead of the Saturday matinee) you will be disappointed. Joe

 

[D.B. Cooper]

And, interestingly enough, that has become its own show circuit ("militaria"), so those sorts of items are seldom more than one vendor in the entire show.

There is whole, almost cottage, industry around repro WWII items.

 

[AlexanderA]

There is whole, almost cottage, industry around repro WWII items.

Which is being driven mainly by reenactors. Even if they own originals, they don't want to subject the originals to wear and tear.

That's the same pattern that took place years ago regarding Civil War items. In the 1960's centennial reenactments, typically you would see Sears blue and gray work clothes substituting for Civil War uniforms, and all sorts of modern weapons (even Garands!) standing in for muskets. That was remedied, slowly, by Italian replicas, beginning with the Remington Zouave rifle (which in itself is inauthentic for Civil War use). For a time, Civil War reenacting was divided between hard-core "authentics" and less-serious "farbs." Eventually, the "authentics" pretty much won out.

If you are serious about collecting militaria (including weapons), it's worthwhile to attend reenactments if for no other reason than to visit the sutlers / sellers in attendance there. Their prices and inventory are often much better than those found at gun / militaria shows. This is called "arbitrage" -- different prices for the same thing in different markets.

Of course, all this applies to the pre-COVID and post-COVID eras. For the time being, all such events are in suspense.

 

[CapnMac]

There is whole, almost cottage, industry around repro WWII items.

While veering off topic.
More than cottage, plenty of SEA countries actively supporting the repro trade.
More than a few online groups out there keen on the topic and in spotting the difference, too. Which has cut into the "crusty" old dude with a table of "stuff."

 

[D.B. Cooper]

While veering off topic.
More than cottage, plenty of SEA countries actively supporting the repro trade.
More than a few online groups out there keen on the topic and in spotting the difference, too. Which has cut into the "crusty" old dude with a table of "stuff."

Yeah. I like to buy from At The Front, in part because they clearly identify which products are imports and which are made by them in their shop in Kentucky. I don't buy the import stuff.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

For a time, Civil War reenacting was divided between hard-core "authentics" and less-serious "farbs."

Count me among the "authentics" although that term wasn't used when I was a Civil War re-enactor back in the early 90s, but "farb" or "farby" (far be it from authentic) was used quite pejoratively. I haven't done it in...over 20 years at least. Glad to hear it's still in existence. (I expect it to go the way of the do-do under pressure from the PC crowd.) But yeah, I'm certain Covid has negatively impacted sutlers and re-enactors the same way it has negatively impacted gun shows.

 

[CapnMac]

I don't buy the import stuff.

I hear you. Although, as @AlexanderA points out above, if reenacting, Rothco or Atlantco can suffice (unlike if one is suiting out a mannequin).
I'm having a love/hate relationship with Mount The Line (but is is everyone else, I'm not that special).

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I hear you. Although, as @AlexanderA points out above, if reenacting, Rothco or Atlantco can suffice (unlike if one is suiting out a mannequin).
I'm having a love/hate relationship with Mount The Line (but is is everyone else, I'm not that special).

Do you mean Man The Line? Never heard of them before.

 

[bikerdoc]

Have not been to any in Virginia in 8 years.
$10 admission plus parking to see a bunch of Joe camoflage's, the fat, former Delta, Seal, Sniper wandering around talking trash.

 

[Jeff H]

Does anyone know if there are any gun and knife shows scheduled for this summer in the Cincinnati Ohio region?

A little late to this thread. By now, I'm sure someone already told you that there is a new owner for the Bill Goodman gun and knife show and that it is still at the Sharonville convention center. Glad to see another Cincinnatian here.

 

[AlexanderA]

Have not been to any in Virginia in 8 years.
$10 admission plus parking to see a bunch of Joe camoflage's, the fat, former Delta, Seal, Sniper wandering around talking trash.

The best reenactments, especially of the later periods like WWI and WWII, are open to participants only. It's not really practical to set up spectators' bleachers overlooking, say, a WWI trench system. That would just make the whole event ridiculous. I took part in a few WWI events when the trenches were at a farm outside Shimpstown, Pennsylvania, and the realism was eerie (except for the dying, of course). (Also, these events take place over a full 24 or 48 hour period.)

https://www.great-war-assoc.org/index.html

 

[Brubz]

A little late to this thread. By now, I'm sure someone already told you that there is a new owner for the Bill Goodman gun and knife show and that it is still at the Sharonville convention center. Glad to see another Cincinnatian here.

Hey Jeff: I figure I will have my shots in time for the April show. Maybe i'll see you there

 

[vintovka]

As a 76 year old with some underlying medical conditions, going to such a gun show would be practically suicidal for me. So, even though there are gun shows in my area, I'm not going until at least I can get vaccinated. The whole of 2020 and (probably) 2021 have been "lost years" in regard to many activities.

The post vaccination death rate precludes any interest for me. Also buying or selling anything right now is somewhat questionable. Asking Prices are beyond comprehension.

 

[Robert]

Let's call it a day before we head even further off topic.