Newsletter Archives for the V.G.C.A.
V.G.C.A. NEWS April, 2003
General
With the snow taking care of the meeting in January, we only had one meeting in
which to take care of the final coordination before the show in March. We had
good attendance and a good program; and Phil Hill got to have a meeting with the
show volunteers prior to the scheduled meeting.
Program
Larry Hare and Bob Sears gave a great presentation on Andrew Burgess, his
rifles, and his place in the development of firearms in the United States. All
Marlin rifles to the present day are based on his design for a locking breech
bolt. His threaded takedown system is still used by Savage in its modern Model
520 shotguns. Burgess was responsible for 894 patents during his lifetime, and
599 were for repeating firearms He started as an apprentice to Matthew Brady,
became a full partner in 1863, and took most of the photos that were attributed
to Brady during the Civil War. In 1893 Winchester had a problem with hangfires.
Burgess solved the problem, and Winchester bought 11 of his patents. He also
took the picture of Abraham Lincoln that is on the five-dollar bill.
Show and Tell
Richard Baker started it off with a Walther Olympic-quality competition rifle.
Larry Cooley followed with a Mississippi barrel that was rerifled to .58
caliber. Ernie Lyles finished it up with a round of ammunition made for the new
Smith & Wesson X-Frame revolvers that will develop 2,000 pounds of foot
pressure. Big just keeps on getting bigger.
New
Members
Eight new members were welcomed. They are: Shawn Brown, Robert Herbst, Timothy
Lockwood, James Matte, Shelly Matte, Roland Oliver, Mark Price, and Francis
Trinh.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on 24 April at 7:30 p.m. at the NRA Headquarters. By
popular demand, the program will be another bring your favorite gun or an
interesting gun for a great big Show and Tell. The last time we did this it was
especially well received, and the members said, ‘‘Let’s do it again.” So we
will.
Picnic
The picnic this year will be on Saturday, 31 May at the NORVA facility west of
Highway 81. Directions will be included in the next Newsletter. Please read the
Range Rules included in this Newsletter. They will be strictly enforced. As
always, the picnic is the regularly scheduled meeting for that month. If anybody
has access to bowling pins, please bring them to the picnic for use as targets
on the firing range.
June Meeting
The program for the June meeting will be the first joint NRA-VGCA sponsored
program of 2003. It will start at 7 p.m. and will be given by Scott Meadows who
is the author of Colt Government Models. There will be no meeting in July.
Election
The results of the election for the three slots for the Board of Directors who
are automatically a part of the EXCOM were announced at the last meeting. The
election was conducted in accordance with the Bylaws. Ernie Lyles led with 139
votes. He was followed by Larry Hare with 121 votes, Rick Nahas with 120 votes,
and Pete Roberts with 75 votes.
March 2003 Gun Show
Once again, we put on the best gun show in northern Virginia. This, as always,
is because of the outstanding efforts by all, old and new, who get involved. In
no particular order, here they are: Phil Hill, Gary Holderman, Jim Burgess, Ed
Costello, Richard Baker, Vernon Cochran, Larry Hare, Addison Hurst, Karl Karash,
Bernie Malo, Ben Sims, Lee Turner, Addison Wright, Bill York, Peter Kuck, Julian
Aylor, Harry Andree, John Frietsch, Wayne Hill, Emory Hackman, Tim Lockwood,
Mike Orsinger, Jeff Perkins, Art Shingler, Carl Warhurst, Ralph Ennis, Roger
Sherman, and Ralph West. I know there were others, but I don’t know who they are
and mean no offense by not naming them.
One person in particular stands out; and that is Art Shingler. If ever there was
an unsung hero, it is Art. Folks, we had 2,230 people pay at the door. Add the
number of table renters and members who do not have to pay to get in and you
have one giant parking problem. Art went outside and handled the situation as
well as any professional parking policeman would have. He did it with tact and
diplomacy and got people to move and think of the other guy while straightening
out what could have been an ugly scene (mess).
Show Takedown
This was the best ever. It was managed by Lee Tuner and Ralph Ennis with
representatives from the Boy Scouts and from the 4-H Club. Both of these
organizations can’t say enough about how happy they are with the support they
receive from the VGCA.
Show Awards
The Best of Show Award this year went to Hal Prucha for Rifles & Loading Tools
from the Golden Age of American Schuetzen 1880 - 1910. This display had some
notably rare rifles such as a Farrow offhand, a one-of-kind Sharps Borechardt,
and very uncommon Creedmore models along with reloading tools.
The team of Addison Hurst and Karl Karash took Second Place with Baby Garands:
Design, Evolution & Production of the US. Carbine, Cal. 30 M1. This display
included an example of just about every variation ever manufactured as well as a
range of exceedingly uncommon accessories.
Third Place went to Kelly Cook for .22 Colt Semiautomatic Pistols. This display
covered the waterfront of most, if not all, major variations of the .22 Colt
semiautomatic pistols. One of the Judges’ Choice awards went to Henry Hagenau
for France 1866 - 1892: The Transition from Black to Smokeless Powder. His
French military rifles were noteworthy in terms of at least one rare carbine and
a particularly effective semivertical display.
The other Judges’ Choice award went to Greg Innocent for One Tough U.S.
Marshall. This display included a First Series Colt Single Action Army,
photographs, accessories, and a period saddle from 100 years ago.
Rounding out the competitors this time were Jim Landers with a fine display of
his Derringers and Pocket Pistols; Pete Roberts with excellent highlights for
Evolution of the .357 from 1930 to date; and Mark Price with A Matured, Niche
Collection of exceedingly high-grade Colt Single Action Armys.
Looking for a Photograph
Do any VGCA members have photos of General Kalashnikov at the Manassas
Battlefield? Dressed in a Confederate uniform, a former seasonal staff member at
the battlefield had his picture taken with Eugene Stoner and General Kalashnikov
at the Battlefield Visitor Center during the general’s first visit to the United
States. He is now seeking a copy of the photo for his archives. If anyone has
such a photo, please contact VGCA Vice President Jim Burgess at 703-361-0426 at
the battlefield, 703-754-7800 at home, or by email at
jim-burgess@nps.gov.
Secretary’s Subtleties
There are two special groups that are paramount in making our shows the great
events that they have become. One is the people who take the time to produce
such great displays. Many people come to our shows to see the educational
displays, and they just seem to get better and better. The second group is
comprised of the judges. This group is a truly devoted group of VGCA members who
devote hours to studying and learning about the presentations long before the
show begins. They are as close to being experts as that connotation allows. They
are totally objective in their grading. This means that personal friendships and
special likes for particular subject areas are wiped clean, and every display is
judged on merit alone. I have witnessed the care, consideration, objectivity,
and concern in which they make their selections. This is a group that has my
utmost respect. It labors in anonymity and seeks no plaudits for itself. Their
satisfaction is derived fiom doing the best job they can for the good of the
VGCA. I also wish to add that the excellent descriptions of the awards were
provided by the Chief Judge.
Sad Note
Elmo Phillips died this month and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on
8 April. Moe flew F4 Phantoms in Vietnam and recorded more than 600 missions
there. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and fellow collectors. We
are all diminished by his passing. Contributions can be made in his memory to
the Multiple Myoloma Research Foundation, 3 Forrest Street, New Canaan, CT
06840. The VGCA sent flowers to the funeral.
President's
Corner
Kudos once again to all who helped make our Gun Show even better. And special
kudos to the Security Guards who caught at least eight people trying to sneak
in, caught people trying to steal, and who are worth their weight in gold. And
more kudos to those who put the time and effort into the outstanding displays at
the show and to the judges.
Congratulations to Ernie Lyles for being reelected to the Board and to first
time electees Larry Hare and Rick Nahas.
There is a Bulletin Board for VGCA members on our web page. There is also a
calendar that will show upcoming events. Please watch the weather cloud! When it
is blinking there is a message of importance for the members. We are in need of
a Club Historian. It's time that we started a recorded history of the VGCA.
Anybody who might be interested in the job is encouraged to contact me.
If you have suggestions, kudos, or thoughts on issues you would like placed on
the EXCOM agenda, please send them to me in writing either by email or snail
mail. I will see that the topic, whatever it may be, is discussed at the EXCOM
meeting following your letting me know.
Please plan on attending the picnic, and please read the Range Rules. We want
everybody to have a good time and want everybody who wants to shoot to do so in
total safety. -- Addison
Shooting Rules/Waiver
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SIGN PRIOR TO SHOOTING AT THE VGCA PICNIC ON 31 MAY 03
IF
YOU ARE NOT A NORVA MEMBER
Shooting Rules/Waiver for all non NORVA members at the VGCA Picnic 31 MAY 03.
These rules
apply to shooting at the 100 yard range. All shotgun shooting is under the
control of Gary
Holderman and his RSOs. Contact Gary and Jim Burgess at the shotgun range for
instructions
regarding shooting skeet and trap. THEIR RSO COMMANDS AND RULES FULLY APPLY AND
FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN YOUR BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE RANGE.
If you are not a NORVA member and you plan to shoot at the picnic, please read
and sign and date
and bring to the picnic. Make copies and have each and every person with you who
plans to shoot
read carefully and sign a copy of this form. Only persons who have done so will
be allowed to shoot.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE RULES ARE FOR YOUR AND YOUR GUESTS SAFETY. THE
ORDERS FROM THE RSO ARE ABSOLUTE. IF YOU ARE ORDERED TO DO SOMETHING, PLEASE
UNDERSTAND IT IS FOR THE SAFETY FOR YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE
WITH A RSO RULING OR COMMAND, YOU ARE FREE TO PACK UP AND LEAVE THE RANGE!!!!!!!
INSTRUCTIONS AND WAIVER FOR NON NORVA MEMBERS WHO WILL BE SHOOTING.
IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF BOTH CLUBS, ALL NON NORVA MEMBERS
AND THEIR GUESTS/CHILDREN MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING RULES AND SIGN TO
INDICATE THAT THE RULES ARE UNDERSTOOD AND WILL BE COMPLIED WITH. THERE WILL BE
RANGE SAFETY OFFICERS (RSO) ON DUTY WHEN SHOOTING IS IN PROGRESS. ALL COMMANDS
WILL BE GIVEN OVER THE PA SYSTEM. WHEN THE RANGE IS READY, THE COMMAND "THE
FIRING LINE IS HOT- COMMENCE FIRING" WILL BE GIVEN. YOU MAY THEN SHOOT. IF YOU
EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS-YELL LOUDLY “CEASE FIRING” AND THE LINE WILL BE SHUT
DOWN. THERE WILL BE NO FIRING UNTIL THE BLINKING RED SAFETY LIGHTS ARE TURNED
OFF. AT THE COMMAND “CEASE FIRING-THE RANGE IS COLD”, ALL FIRING MUST CEASE
IMMEDIATELY AND ALL WEAPONS ARE CLEARED. WHEN THE RED BLINKING LIGHTS ARE ON-
ALL SHOOTING MUST CEASE AND ALL ARMS MUST BE CLEARED AND ACTIONS LEFT OPEN. ALL
MAGAZINES MUST BE REMOVED FROM ALL WEAPONS. ALL ACTIONS TOUCH ANY WEAPONS WHILE
THE RANGE IS “COLD”. ONLY WEAPONS BEING FIRED MAY BE ON THE TABLES. ALL OTHER
WEAPONS MUST BE IN CASES OR IN THE VERTICAL RACKS AT THE BACK OF THE RANGE. IF
YOU HAVE GUESTS OR CHILDREN, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CLOSELY MONITOR THEM
ON A 1:1 BASIS. MANY CHILDREN AND GUESTS ARE
NOT EXPERIENCED SHOOTERS AND YOU MUST ASSIST THEM AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR
CONDUCT AT THE RANGE. ANY SAFETY VIOLATIONS NOTED BY THE RSOS CAN RESULT IN YOU
AND YOUR GUESTS AND CHILDREN BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE RANGE. IF YOU HAVE SEVERAL
CHILDREN UNDER 16 OR GUESTS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS THEIR SPONSOR TO WORK
WITH THEM ON A 1:1 BASIS. THE RANGES WILL BE OPEN ONLY WHEN RSOS ARE ON DUTY AND
THE RANGES WILL BE CLOSED DURING LUNCH WHEN IT ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOOD IS READY.
Depending on the cooks’ preparing lunch, the range will be open from 11 AM to 6
PM. During lunch, the ranges will be closed. They will reopen after lunch when
RSOs return to monitor ranges. WHILE THERE ARE LIMITED SUPPLIES OF OSHA APPROVED
SAFETY GLASSES AND EAR PLUGS AVAILABLE AT THE RANGE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND ALL YOUR SHOOTERS HAVE ADEQUATE EYE AND HEARING
PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES AT THE RANGES:
AS A NON NORVA MEMBER, I UNDERSTAND THAT MYSELF AND MY GUESTS AND CHILDREN ARE
SHOOTING AT OUR OWN RISKS. WE ABSOLVE NORVA AND VGCA FROM ANY RESPONSIBILITY
FROM ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OR DEATH THAT RESULT FROM ANY AND ALL ACCIDENTS
OR MISHAPS AT THE RANGE. I WILL ENSURE THAT ALL GUESTS AND CHILDREN WH0 ARE NOT
SHOOTING WILL REMAIN BEHIND THE SHOOTERS WHO ARE ON THE FIRING LINE. THE FIRING
LINE OUTSIDE OF THE COVERED RANGE WILL BE CLEARLY BE MARKED WITH TAPE. I
UNDERSTAND THAT ALL GUESTS AND CHILDREN OVER 18 MUST SIGN AND ACKNOWLEDGE THESE
RULES AND WAIVER CHILDREN UNDER 18 ARE UNDER MY RESPONSIBILITY AND THESE PERSONS
WILL BE LISTED BELOW. I UNDERSTAND THAT SHOOTING AT THE METAL ANIMALS ON THE
RANGES ARE TO BE ONLY FIRED WITH HANDGUNS. DO NOT SHOOT THEM WITH ANY RIFLE
EXCEPT .22S.
BY MY SIGNATURE AND PRINTED NAME AND DATE BELOW, I CERTIFY THAT I UNDERSTAND THE
ABOVE RULES AND WAIVERS AND I WILL ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND I ACCEPT THE
CONDITIONS OUTLINED ABOVE. Failure to sign means you and your guests can not
shoot.
THERE WILL BE EXTRA COPIES OF THIS WAIVER AT THE RANGE IN CASE YOU BRING A LAST
MINUTE GUEST. HAVE THE GUESTS CAREFULLY READ AND SIGN THE FORM. TURN THIS
COMPLETED FORM To ADDISON HURST OR ONE OF THE RSOS AT THE RANGE AT THE PICNIC ON
SAT 31 MAY.
Signed Name_______________________________________
Date_____________________
Printed Name_______________________________________
Names of children and or guests under 18 that I will be supervising on a 1:1
BASIS:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________