35th Annual Franklin Civil War Show

Originally published January 2023 · pp. 1–5

Gerald Roxbury with his display of 1852 Pattern Naval Officer’s Swords.

FRANKLIN, Tenn.—The 2022 Civil War show season came to a close at 3 p.m. on December 4th as the 35th annual Middle Tennessee Civil War Show ended. It was a great way to finish up the year, according to show promoter Mike Kent, with basically the same size event as in previous years. This is a positive sign for the overall health of the Civil War collecting community. There are also new, younger dealers and participants appearing as some older collectors retire or slow down. As usual, dealers were spotted in the local host hotel Thursday evening trading stories and getting ready for move in on Friday morning. Vendor automobile tags from as far away as Texas, New York, Ohio, and Florida were seen as dealers unloaded for the year’s final show. Facility manager Kenny Wallace reported that some vendors were already in the parking lot when he arrived at 5:30 Friday morning even though the official set up time was not until 10 a.m. With mild temperatures and only scattered showers on Friday, the weather was ideal; by closing time at 7 p.m., all but a few tables were filled. Anticipation was high as people packed the lobby, then quickly flooded the arena floor, catching up with old friends, looking for the best deals and fresh material from vendors. Traffic was brisk all day and social media was abuzz with photos of dealers and attendees posing with old friends and new finds for their personal collections and inventory. Representatives from the Outdoor Channel program Shooting USA were on hand Saturday to interview dealers about their participation in the show, their most interesting firearms, and ideas on attracting a younger crowd to the shows and collecting hobby. Brian Akins, Rafael Eledge, and promoter Mike Kent were featured and should appear on an upcoming edition of Shooting USA. Well known Civil War dealer Larry Hicklen was honored with a special Lifetime Achievement Award that recognized his dedication and contributions to the Civil War community

Minutes before the show opened, with dealers headed to their tables. All tables were filled for the 2022 Franklin Show.

Gene Andrews explaining how he handcrafted his miniature Confederate soldier display.

35th Annual Franklin Civil War Show The Largest Civil War Show Under One Roof!

Bill Combs brought out his fantastic display of Spanish Colonial Army artifacts.

Award winners L to R: Bill Combs, Gene Andrews, J.T. Leathers, Mel Hankla, Gerald Roxbury, Dave Gotter, Michael Briggs, Mary Watkins, Greg Murry, and Larry Hicklen. over the last 35 years. Hicklen is the founder and owner of the Middle Tennessee Civil War Show, nurtured it through its first few years, then turned over management to Mike Kent in 1991. As many long-time participants remember, the show started with only 100 tables in the Vaughn Building at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1986, moved to the Williamson County Ag Expo Park in 2010, growing to over 800 tables in the process, making it one of the largest events of its type in the country. No show would be complete without displays, many of which represent lifelong efforts to find, document, label, and organize material for public presentation; the Franklin Show is no different. For many dealers it is a labor of love as there is no monetary compensation for the time and effort required to put on a display. In fact, just the opposite is true; travel and show expenses easily run into hundreds of dollars per show. For these special people however, their reward comes from the respect, admiration, and appreciation expressed by fellow collectors and the public when viewing their exhibits.

J.T. Leathers with his M1 Garand display which won the People’s Choice Award.

Nashville native and well-known Civil War artist John Paul Strain was on hand as always, hosted by Debi and Kent Robinson of DK Prints. Strain has become a Middle Tennessee Civil War Show mainstay as he is a popular celebrity, always shaking hands and greeting visitors while often working on his latest projects.

Author and collector Michael Briggs with his display of Guilford County, N.C., gunmakers.

Porter’s Battery was on hand again this year, although down by two guns as the flu took its toll on several crew members. To make up for the loss of guns however, the battery fired more shots every hour to keep the momentum going; the public loved it as always!

Deanna and Bob French looking professional as always while representing Poulin Auctions at the show

Make plans now to attend Mike Kent’s Chickamauga Civil War Show on February 4 & 5, 2023, in Dalton, Ga., and next year’s Franklin Civil War Show scheduled for Dec. 2 & 3, 2023. For more information, visit MKShows.com.

Mel Hankla’s Best of Show display, “The Rifles of Jacob Young and John Wilson.”

Listed below are the 2022 award winners. Historical Significance Awards

Dave Gotter, the Chairman’s Award winner with his Evolution of the Winchester Rifle display.

Bill Combs – The Spanish Colonial Army Michael Briggs – Guilford County, N.C., Gunmakers Gerald Roxbury – 1852 Pattern Naval Officer’s Swords Gene Andrews – Miniature Confederate Soldiers

George Susat with “History You Can Hold.”

J.T. Leathers – M1 Garand Variations

Greg Murry and Mary Watkins with their Crockett rifle

Chairman’s Award

Bill Blackman and Kenny Copelin with two of the most complete Confederate buckle collections in existence.

Dave Gotter – Evolution of the Winchester Rifle 1866–1894

Civil War Navy Magazine publisher Charles Williams.

Best Weapon Award

Greg Murry and Mary Watkins – The Crockett Rifle

Best of Show Award

Mel Hankla – Mastery of Metals in the Cumberland Long time book dealer Mike Wadsworth came out of retirement to attend the Franklin Show.

Long time relic hunters Bill Gurley and Meigs Brainard with their treasures.

Mike Kent (left) and show founder Larry Hicklen with his Lifetime Achievement Award.