Classic Show Makes A Come Back

Originally published May 2022 · pp. 1–6

Timothy Wider’s display, Memorabilia of a Surgeon of the Union Army, Dr. Ripley Stone. (Photos by Maureen O’Prey)

TIMONIUM, Md.—After two years of cancellations due to Covid restrictions, the wellknown Baltimore Antique Arms Show held its 66th show March 19 & 20, 2022. Sponsored by the Maryland Arms Collectors Association, the show was again held at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The Baltimore Show attracts thousands of serious collectors from across the globe. Whichever way anyone views it, they would have to admit that once again it was a great show for dealers, collectors, and the general public. The show is a true labor of love for the collectors who make up the show committee. The show opened to the usual Saturday rush of customers who quickly filled the Cow Palace. Over the years, Maryland Arms Collectors Association (MACA) has expended great effort and expense to transform a building designed to showcase cows into an attractive and accommodating space to welcome exhibitors and visiting crowds. Those who attended were treated to over 700 sale and display tables covered with antique and historic arms and arms-related items. In addition to the excitement of seeing wonderful displays and reuniting with old friends, the NRA Gun Collectors Committee chose The Original Baltimore Antique Arms show to present their prestigious National Treasure Gold Medal Award. The award is reserved for arms that meet stringent historical and grading criteria, including condition, rarity, artistry, authenticity, and more. Historical significance is heavily weighted by the prominence of the past owners of the firearm, and their collective positive contribution to

the American experience. Gold Medal Award #5 was presented for the “The Isaac Hull Presentation Pistols.” In 1817 the General Assembly of Connecticut passed a resolution authorizing Governor Oliver Wolcott to procure “an elegant sword and a pair of pistols, both mounted with gold and suitable inscriptions, and manufactured in the state,” for presentation to Commodore Isaac Hull, in recognition of his “virtues, gallantry and naval skill” during the War of 1812. Letters in accordance with this resolve were sent to Eli Whitney, Nathan Starr, and Simeon North. Ultimately North was chosen to make the pistols and Starr the sword. The pistols and sword were completed in May 1820. For many years these pistols, together with the sword made by Nathan Starr, were deposited in the State Department in Washington, D.C.; in 1911 they were transferred to the Navy Department where they were exhibited in the office of the Secretary of the U.S. Navy. They were kept in a glass case and cared for as priceless relics. Approximately 17 years ago, Hull P. Fulweller, a descendant of Isaac Hull and the current owner of the pistols and sword, put them on a long-term loan to the USS Constitution Museum where they currently reside. 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. One of the major attractions was the “Best of Show” presented to David Hanes for his display, “The Improbable Lindner Revolver,” a tubular-magazine, auto-primer, striker-fired revolver from the genius of Edward Lindner. This display offered an in-depth look at the workings of the revolver, along with design details, sequence of operation, information on Lindner himself, as well as his known patents. Our “Best Single Weapon,” Award went to Ken Baumann, for his “Confederate Travis Stockton Gun Revisited.” Judges Choice Awards went to Richard Berglund for his “1841 Harpers Ferry Rifles and Bayonets,” Paul Johnson for a “Civil War Ambulance Corps Presentation Sword,” C. Paul Loane for “Union Civil War Memorabilia,” and Daniel Pozarek for “Antique Remington

Steven Stainbrook’s display, Sharp’s Slant Breech Sporting Models.

Pistols.” Third Place Educational went to Mel Hankla for “Kentuckians with a Forlorn Hope: Battle of the Thames;” Second Place Educational was awarded to David Prawdzik for “Siege of Boston Powder Horns;” the First Place Educational to Matthew Switlik for “American Gribauval Gun Carriages.” A 50-Year Pin was awarded to MACA club member Jay Goodman. Also featured were exhibits from the USMC Historical Company, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the NRA/ National Firearms Museum, 4th North Carolina Regiment USA, and the Cody Firearms Museum. On Sunday, two educational seminars of historical significance were given and well attended by the public. We all look forward to next year’s show which will be held over the March 18 & 19, 2022 weekend, at the Timonium Fairgrounds. See you there at the best antique arms show around. For more information visit www. baltimoreshow.com. NRA Gold Medal Award, NRA Museum, Hull Pistols.

David Hanes’s display, The Improbable Lindner Revolver, Won BEST in SHOW Award.

These identical goldmounted, flintlock presentation pistols, made by Simeon North, were given to Captain Isaac Hull by his native State of Connecticut around 1818. The pistols are decorated with a side plate engraved with USS Constitution’s escape from a British squadron in July of 1812.

Commodore Isaac Hull (1773–1843) by artist Samuel Lovett Waldo, 1834. (Yale University Art Gallery)

An inscription on the underside of the pistols reads: “Voted by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut/ to their fellow citizen Captain Isaac Hull.”

Dressed for Success: American Military Uniforms, Weapons, and Accoutrements from the War of 1812. Collection of Chris Grazzini.

Historic 19th Century Artillery Included an Armstrong Naval Deck Gun. Collection of James Schoenung.

Memorabilia of a Surgeon of the Union Army, Dr. Ripley Stone’s surgeon’s set. Collection of Timothy Wider.

Huntington County, Penn., Gunsmiths and the Civil War. Collection of Mark Tyler.

Denny Pizzini displayed his original State of Conn. marked, 14-pounder James rifle and limber.

Captured & Collected Confederate Reissued Firearms, US Model 1816 Type 1B Evans Valley Forge. Collection of Samuel P. Higginbotham.

Craig Bell’s display of Confederate Gen. William Mahone’s sword, photograph, Virginia two-piece belt buckle and belt, and sash. Mahone was widely regarded as the hero of the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864.

Part of the display, Sharp’s Slant Breech Sporting Models, from the collection of Steven Stainbrook.

Dick Berglund won 1st Place Judge’s Choice Award, with his display, Harper’s Ferry, US Model 1841 Sword Bayonets and Rifles.

Military Uniforms (US Calvary/Signal Corps 1833–1888). Collection of Peter Macuga.

Daniel Pozarek’s display, Antique Remington Pistols, Won 4th Place, Judges Choice Award.

Kentuckians with a Forlorn Hope: Battle of the Thames, won 3rd Place Educational Award 2022 (The story of the reunification of the Garrett Wall powder horn and rifle). From the collection of Mel Hankla.

Durs Egg Weapons display. From the collection of Alan Boyd.