Got there & back safely, bit of heavy traffic on the way back but other than that a smooth ride. Walked around the whole day and most of the vendors had packed up by the time we left. Lots of visitors this time, pretty crowded. You had to be careful with all these people with bayonets & such sticking out of their backpacks
No real guns anymore (due to the law) not even demils.
But an increase on antiques, original flintlocks & caplocks and over 150 year revolvers. All pretty pricey (to me) of course. But saw some really nice pieces.
Prices on bayonets keep going up too. If I could sell my collection at the asking prices I could retire right now.
Oh wait.
I'm retired already
Aniways, we didn't spend too much money. Haggled a bit and made some good deals on small stuff. Tom spotted a Carcano bolt he wanted in some shoebox, and towards the end of the show found an Argetina Mauser bolt he'd been searching for years. Both at 20 each or so. Mosin-Nagant bayonet at 20, which was the best price in the show. Some other small items.
I got a nice well-made Polish hunting knife at 10, a book "Le Bataillon Leopard" by Jack Schramme, the belgian mercenary leader in the 60's Congo at 5€, a couple Russian anti-isis patches (just to offend your random towelhead and make my wife happy), and of course first thing I did was go rob my favorite french medal dealer. Again I got a good haul at a random price. I wonder if this guy is utterly clueless of just likes giving stuff away ...
10 mins into the show I already had 4 french "Medaille Militaire", one WWI french "Croix Du Combatant", a Legion 2REP (2e Regiment Etranger Parachutiste) badge and a Legion 2REC (2e Regiment Etranger Cavalerie) badge. This last one will be for our Hogger friend (The bane of the Nebraska turks) as I already got one. Also picked up two military history magazines for him, one on Verdun and one on The Somme.
Better start polishing up on your french Steve !
(Also got you cards from 2 italian dealers).
That's about it I guess. If I remember additional info I'll update.
Oh yeah, next show will be april 30th 2017 ....
Just in case someone would be interested ...
A