news, local-news, hunter valley arms fair, ross woods, maitland federation centre, guns, shooters

A suit of armour dating back to the 1500s and cannons from the First Fleet will be on display in Maitland this weekend at the Hunter Valley Arms and Militaria Collectable Fair. The fair is set to attract more than 3000 people to Maitland Federation Centre this weekend to view the exhibition and sale which will have everything from antiques and collectables to modern sporting firearms. One of the organisers Ross Wood, said 55 dealers from across the country will be at the event to sell and display their wares. “There will be a range of antique longarm firearms and hand guns from vintage flintlocks to the latest models plus militaria and period collectables,” Mr Wood said. There will also be reloading equipment, gun cases, scopes, mounts, cleaning supplies, target accessories and quality books, custom knives, sharpening stones, archery equipment, tactical torches. Hiking and bush walking gear will also be for sale over the weekend. “Some people just think this is antiques and collectables but it goes much further than that,” Mr Wood said. “It extends as far as modern sporting firearms for club use to a suit of armour from the 1500s, cannons from the First Fleet through to equipment that probably some of the people at Singleton (Army Base) wear.” So why are these items so collectable? “Somewhere deep in our psyche it is our need to associate with weapons. “In terms of collectablity world wide, stamps and coins take first and second place and swap. Weapons run fourth and fifth and vintage cars run about thirteenth. “So world wide, weapons, either bows and arrows or firearms, are right up there with the top of what people love to collect,” Mr Wood said. Doors for the fair will open both days at 9.30am.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/KRM77tP3akqwSNbwmEzAg5/75786e8e-d4a4-4c79-bf8f-06548c1a2172.jpg/r0_339_2248_1609_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg