Vol. 49, No. 5
America’s Monthly Newspaper For Civil War Enthusiasts
$4.00
40 Pages, May 2023
67th Annual Maryland Arms Collectors Association Show Report
The 67th anniversary of the Maryland Arms Collectors Association Show was held at the State Fairgrounds at Timonium, Md., on March 17 & 18, 2023. The “Baltimore Show,” as hosted by the Maryland Arms Collectors Association, is considered to be the finest arms show of its kind. MACA started in 1947 with a half dozen antique arms collectors discussing the creation of a club. In a rather short time, these enterprising men formed a set of by-laws and a constitution for what they named the Maryland Arms Collectors Association. In 1955 they decided to hold a show highlighting their collections at the Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore. Many dealers at the present show remember those days at the Belvedere. The show continued to grow, leading to several changes in venue from the Lord Baltimore Hotel, 5th Regiment Armory, and the Baltimore Convention Center. In 1993 the show moved to the Cow Palace located in the Timonium Fairgrounds. Over the years the club expended great effort and expense to transform a building built to exhibit cows into an attractive and accommodating space to welcome the
ever-increasing exhibitors and visiting crowds. The show continues at this venue to this present day. The show opened to the usual rush of customers on Saturday and quickly filled the Cow Palace. Those who attended were treated to over 900 sales and display tables of antique and historic arms and arms-related items. These exhibits held some of the best this country has to offer, not the least of which was the tremendous expertise found on both sides of the tables. Exhibitors came from 46 states and several foreign countries including Canada, The United Kingdom, and Germany. As is usual with the show, old friends were revisited, new friends were made, and treasures found new homes. The weekend seemed to fly by and all too soon it was Sunday afternoon and time to announce the awards for the show. When displays win awards at the Baltimore Show, you can be assured that they are world class. p Judges Choice Awards went to Dan Hudson for “U.S. Trapdoor Sporting Arms,” Gerald Roxbury for
“NY Naval Militia,” Robert Sullivan for “Red Tape of the Rebellion,” and Mark Tyler for “Solomon Silknitter and His Tintype Guns.”
p p Third Place Educational Award went to Taylor Allen for “Afghan Army Helmets 1873–1880,” Craig Bell for “Scottish Steel and Silver Strength and Beauty,” and James Kochan for “Gifts from the Sea.” p p The Best Single Weapon Award was presented to Samuel Higginbotham, II for “Gas-Operated 1903 Springfield Rifle.” Best of Show Award was presented to James Partridge for “Hall’s Breechloaders.” p Also featured were exhibits from the USMC Historical Company, Harpers Ferry National Park, the NRA/National Firearms Museum, USS Constellation, 4th North Carolina Regiment USA, Springfield Arsenal, and The Cody Museum. In addition, 50-year pins were awarded to members Tom Gross and Lee Norris. Congratulations!
We all look forward to next year’s show which will be held the weekend of March 16 & 17, 2024 at the Timonium Fairgrounds. See you there at the best antique arms show in the country.
Lt. Col. Albert M. Edwards, 24th Michigan Infantry, “Iron Brigade.” Dave Parks displayed the artifacts brought home by Colonel Edwards.
First Place Educational Award was given to James L. Kochan for his display “Gifts from the Sea.”
The National Firearms Museum brought a display of Medal of Honor recipients medals.
H Show
Best in Show display. 14 – American Battlefield Trust 34 – Book Reviews 12 – Central Virginia Battlefield Trust
. . . . . . . . . . . . see page 4 24 – Critic’s Corner 28 – Emerging Civil War 39 – Events
22 – The Graphic War 18 – The Source 20 – This And That
10 – The Unfinished Fight 16 – Through the Lens