I, for one, appreciate all of the positive comments on the ACGG exhibition. To answer a couple of questions, the Guild membership hovers around 100 members. We gaina few through new regular members and lose a few through..... well we are a bunch of old farts for the most part so you can fill in the blanks.

I would like to add my congratulates to Jim Kobe on his acceptance. I'm sure that he will make a fine member.

I personally did not have a table at the exhibition this year for a couple of reasons. I'm very reluctant to ship client guns half way across the country (I live in Illinois) and be responsible for their safety and I had nothing of my own that was new to show. However, I did have a couple of examples of my work at the show. One was a Remington 1894 double at Pete Mazur's table that I'm putting the handle on. This gun is the 2012 Guild raffle gun and I was honored to be asked to work on it. It isn't even close to being finished because I only have a week to work on it before it needed to be shipped. I was just happy to have it as far along as it was. The second gun was a Gibbs rifle in .500 3" that Glenn Fewless had at his table. Its an original action! The barrel on this gun is spectacular with a full length integral matted rib. I don't ask how they do this because I'm only a humble wood butcher. I'm posting a very poor picture of the rifle. The picture reflects how I felt physically since I had a cold and sinus thing going on and felt like dog s**t on Friday. Anyway here it is.

After SHOT and SCI the guild show is always like dessert. From what little I saw attendance was way down. I don't know the official figures but SCI looked to be down by half also. Still, those in attendance were spending $$.
I always make a pilgrimage to Ralf's table just to handle his rifles. James Tucker had an original 1923 375 H&H on his table that Reto had refinished and it handled a lot like Ralf's.
Another rifle no one has mentioned is the takedown 416 Rigby that Jerry Fisher built on a GMA action. I had the pleasure of fondling it for a couple of hours in Jerry's room the night before the show opened.

Thanks Duane, Doug and Phil, good to hear from folks that have been there for several years. I would presume that you guys also saw the sidelock double that Tucker told me he would have there? From the pix I saw it was a dandy!
Sorry I missed you all, but I did see a bunch of folks I wouldn't have otherwise at the Vegas Antique Show. And for once, I didn't have a display!
Best, Steve

Gentlemens:

I thought the show to be the best that I have attended. When the show was in the sub basement of the Silver Legacy it was so dark that I was considering starting a mushroom farm at my table. By contrast the hall at the Nugget has wonderful natural and artificial lighting. The room was well laid out and spacious. While I don't know the the box office numbers I think the attendance was good. It was the huge room that never got crowded that made the numbers seem lower.

I found everything about the new venue to be an improvement. Even the banquette and auction was done better. My hat is off to the folks who arranged this all.

Here is couple pictures from the show. In the first picture the guy with hair is Mr. Doug Mann. The other two involved in a brain trust over the Hagn action that will form the basis of the 2013 Guild rifle are myself and Reto Buehler.

The second picture is of myself receiving a lifetime achievement award, being chosen the "Most Likely to be Sober Enough Not to Drop the Vase" whilst it was removed form the banquet table to facilitate some picture taking. The gentleman to my right is Craig Libhart and Mr. Mann is to the left.

Best to all,

Glenn Fewless