VGCA NEWS JANUARY 1998

MONTHLY MEETING:  January’s meeting will be Jan 22 at 8 PM at the NRA Hdqt. in the downstairs auditorium. A light dinner will, per usual, be provided at no charge to the members. There will not be a snow date so let’s hope it doesn’t get nasty.

PROGRAM: Mo has arranged for an interesting program this month--Jim Toth will be presenting a program on early English pistols--going back to flintlocks. So drag out all your oldies and bring them to the meeting. We thought that Feb. might be a good reason to have an old fashioned swap meet that we have from time to time. March will be the show. In April, Mo will be presenting Harpers Ferry arms--do not miss that one. In May, we will have our picnic and shoot at the Norva property. Any suggestions for a theme this year?.......let your EXCOM know. June, unless I can con someone else into presenting a better program, will be a presentation by myself of early trapdoor Springfield Rifles. Regardless of who is presenting the program, we have found that the "seminar" approach to the programs seems to work well.....by seminar, we mean that all members who can attend should bring all the arms they have on the subject at hand. Bring books, charts, whatever. By sharing your information with the group, we all can learn something. I think a fine example of this concept was last month’s meeting. Ernie Harper put on a program about Weatherby rifles and shotguns. It was one of the best presentations I have seen given at VGCA in many a year. What helped the program itself was the spontaneous input from the members at large--for example Bob Sears spoke at some length of his knowing Roy Weatherby and what went in to the design of the Weatherby magnum cartridges. Many others had interesting information to share. It was a great program and I hope we can continue them. I think the meetings are becoming a real learning experience. Upwards of 60 members and guests attended the meeting. We skipped the business part of the meeting to allow the program to proceed. The meeting did not break up until 11 PM. It is this kind of interest that sets us apart from other groups that simply function to have shows to make money. If you have one or fifty arms and you are willing to share your
knowledge , information, and research with the group, please contact Mo Phillips. We need new blood in the programs.

DEATH OF MRS. KEN TAYLOR It is with great regret that I must inform you of the death of Lou Taylor. All the old timer Norva members used to see Ken and Lou at the property as far back as the ‘60s. Lou died December 9 from complications of cancer. We are making a donation to the American Cancer Society in her memory on behalf of both clubs VGCA and NORVA. Our most sincere condolences are extended to Ken and the family. As you may recall, they lived in South Carolina for some years. Ken and Lou generally made the shows. They recently moved to Woodstock. We hope we continue to see Ken at the shows and at Norva.

ELECTION OF THREE BOARD MEMBERS As I have mentioned, the three board members (not the three officers) need to be elected this month for a two year term. The nominating committee or Blair Gluba and Addison Wright has come up with one firm nomination thus far--Larry Hunt. Larry, as many of you know, is THE specialist in cyberspace. He has designed our elegant web page and has indicated that he would serve and continue to further our interests on the internet. Other nominations will be open from the floor and others may come from Blair’s committee. Jim Burgess recently indicated that he would run for the Board. Jim is essential to the running of the club as you no doubt know. Without Jim’s fine work in keeping the table reservations straight, we would be in big trouble. I would like you to consider Jim’s willingness to run.

NEW ADDRESS FOR ZACH LEINER I have a new address . If you need to contact him, please let me know.

NEW ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN GENERAL. Recently many zip codes, area codes and addresses have changed due to local 911 regulations that mandate street numbers instead of PO Boxes. Please make sure we have your correct address and telephone numbers. Ed Costello is working on an updated phone list. The information will be held by the EXCOM. We need to establish a phone tree and we need to keep our books current. Your assistance would be appreciated. You might also give Ed you E mail address if you have one. We are in the process of deleting members who are far behind in their dues or who have moved and left no forwarding address or who have apparently lost interest. So make sure your dues ($15.00 per year or $90.00 for life membership) are up to speed and that Ed knows where you are. Dues are due this month.

SMITH AND WESSON COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION MEETING Please see the attached note from Pete Roberts regarding an upcoming meeting and reunion at the Ramada Inn in Triangle on March 28. Rick Nahas will be there with his books as well as Charles Pate--who just published the book advertised by Man at Arms entitled "U.S. Handguns of World War II". All you Smith collectors should not miss this one.

HELP NEEDED FOR THE UPCOMING MARCH SHOW Helping man the front door to check incoming guns is a high priority . Ernie Harper needs lots of help. If you are a new member, contact Ernie or Gary Holderman on the Show Committee. We need some new blood in these committees and your help would benefit the club. Set up on Friday before the show and take down on Sunday afternoon are also very important functions. Contact Jim Burgess if you can help.

BILL YORK’S REPORT ON THE RUSSIAN TRIP Bill provided an interesting account of his recent visit with General Kalashnikov. He brought along photos and mementos. The General is in good health and extended his best wishes to his many friends in VGCA and NORVA.

NEW MEMBERS Jean and Howard Hart were accepted into membership last month. They live near Charlottesville and collect 18th thru 20th Century military arms. Jean also collects Jeeps! We welcome you both to the fold. This month we will present to the membership the name of another old friend and long time Norva member: Byron Black. Byron is an architect and is interested in target shooting, skeet shooting and has been collecting guns for about 10 years. His sponsors are Gary Holderman, Jim Mathews, Chuck Mayernik and myself. Byron attended the last meeting and we hope to see him at many more.

WANT ADS, BUSINESS CARDS, PHOTOS Since Larry Hunt can scan photos and business cards into our fliers that now goes on the internet, feel free to send them to me. If you have photos of interest from the shows, hunting trips, or anything that might of interest to the members. send them to me with captions and I will forward them to Larry. Send your business cards--a little free advertising on the internet could not hurt. Also, if you have items to sell or you are looking for items, write that up as well and send to me. You should use your E mail address or your telephone number to correspond. Remember, you are sending your information out to many people who you do not know.

INFORMATION NEEDED I am about to start experimenting with "Moly" coated bullets. I have read quite about it and have learned how to do it. What I need now is loading data. If you have any loading data using these coated bullets in .308, .223, 6 PPC, 7 mm-08. .44 Mag and .357 Mag., I would appreciate having the information. Interestingly, I contacted Sierrra Bullets. They are experimenting with them too. There does not yet seem to be much published regarding loading data. I found it interesting that due to reduced friction, more not less powder is needed to keep the velocities up. However, barrel life is greatly extended and barrels don’t heat up as badly. Berger Bullets now have them for sale for the benchresters in the group. Here is hoping that they are more accurate! Also, if anyone has a few ounces of steel shot--say 7.5, 8, or 9s--I would love to have a little. It seems to be the best way to inside lube case necks with the Moly.

BEDTIME STORY: At the past meeting, I read a short story to the group from the Op.Ed. page of PrecisionShooting Magazine. Several people asked me to reprint it. Several versions are now going around--each more outrageous than the one before it. Here is the latest version. Hope you enjoy it. Lastly, I thought you might enjoy some suggested names for Presidential pooch named Buddy. Some alternative names I heard were "Pawla", "Ole Yeller" and lastly "Stains". Alas poor Willy chose" Buddy". At least Buddy can’t testify. Hope to see you at the meeting and that ‘98 brings you lots of good things--including some new guns. Don’t forget show and tell items!