The Virginia Gun Collectors Association recently hosted author John Hamilton at NRA Headquarters. "Three or four times a year, VGCA teams up with the NRA National Firearms Museum to bring a speaker to the community," VGCA president Addison Hurst, pictured above, said. Hurst has served as the group's president for 17 years. "And I was secretary for 15 years before that," he told NRAblog. 

Thanks to NRA National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica for taking these photos. In addition to official photographer, Supica had the task of introducing Hamilton--not that the author needs an introduction. 

"He's quite a historian," Hurst said. "A world-class curator."

"He spoke about a subject we didn't know he was going to talk about, which isSchützenfest, or German target shooters," Hurst said. "From the earliest days in Europe up through modern day, he had a lot of slides and knowledge to share."

"He took us right back to the 14th and 15th century and wrapped everything up by bringing us to today," he said. "He covered a lot of ground in an hour!"

Hamilton, pictured at left, spoke to the group for an hour and answered questions. His two latest books, The American Percussion Schuetzen Rifle and American Fraternal Swords: A Reference Guide were for sale at the event.

"The presentation included pictures of some of the earliest, hand carved rifles,  as well as how they shot them," Hurst said.

"December 3 is our next speaker's event, and we haven't yet released the details, but all are welcome," he said. 

Are you interested in joining the Virginia Gun Collectors Association? The group has 400 members from all over the nation, and dues are kept low to encourage membership.

"We encourage members to come to the meetings and our two shows a year," Hurst said, noting that membership is open to the public. The group asks that a member sponsors each prospective member.