NRA Gun Collector Awards Presented At NRA Annual Meetings

Among 800+ exhibitors at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta, was a group of 18 gun collector clubs who assembled in Collectors Row on the show floor.

These collectors of exceptional firearms displayed some of the finest, privately owned arms and accessories with those in attendance. They were also competing for a trophy.

Here are this year’s winners:

Best Educational Display Awards

Antique Arms Category:
Organization: American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association
Display Title: Civil War Small Arms Technology

Organization: Ohio Gun Collectors Association
Display Title: Family - The Search for David Leonard

Classic Arms Category:
Organization: Ruger Collectors Association
Display Title: Sturm, Ruger & Co: Early Pistols & Revolvers. Prototype, Samples, Special Order, Sundry Related Items

Organization: Missouri Valley Vigilantes and Missouri Valley Arms Collectors Association
Display Title: The Short Magazine Lee Enfield: Into the Trenches with the British Empire

Contemporary Arms Category:
Organization: Glock Collectors Association
Display Title: Unique First-Run Serial Numbers

Organization: Ruger Owners and Collectors Society
Display Title: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Milestones & Anniversaries

Combined Arms Category:
Organization: Dallas Arms Collectors Association
Display Title: Weapons of the Soviet-Afghan War, 1979 to 1989

Organization: North Carolina Arms Collectors
Display Title: The Weapon That Ended WWII

Best Arms Awards

A total of 10 silver medals may be awarded each year. However, only 9 silver medals were awarded in Atlanta.
#553 – To American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association, for their Thomas W. Cofer Type II percussion cartridge revolver.
#554 – To Oregon Arms Collectors Association, for their Model 1780 Girardoni repeating air rifle.
#555 – To American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association, for their LeMat percussion revolver, s/n 715, with its original Richmond Depot holster and lanyard.
#556 – To Kentucky Rifle Association, for their Gamecock Rifle, attributed to Georgia gunsmith Wiley G. Higgins.
#557 – To American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association, for their Cook & Brother bayonet alteration of a Belgian Cape Gun, with a saber bayonet.
#558 – To Colt Collectors Association, for their pair of Colt Single Action Army revolvers, s/n EAST1 and WEST1, engraved by Leonard Francolini.
#559 – To American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association, for their cased 2^nd Model LeMat percussion revolver, s/n 1432, with accoutrements.
#560 – To Winchester Arms Collectors Association, for their Junior Trapshooting Kit, complete with the original shipping crate.
#561 – To Kentucky Rifle Association, for their embellished percussion conversion pistol, made by Wiley G. Higgins.

Certificates of Recognition

For unique firearms-related display items. A total of 10 may be awarded each year.
#202 – To Ruger Owners & Collectors Society, for their 1949 FFL, which was the first one issued to Sturm, Ruger & Co.
#203 – To Winchester Arms Collectors Association, for their Winchester youth posters.
#204 – To American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association, for their original Confederate patent documents issued to Thomas W. Cofer.
#205 – To Winchester Arms Collectors Association, for their Winchester Model 02 picture box.
#206 – To American Society of Arms Collectors and Maryland Arms Collectors Association, for their Richmond Depot lanyard and holster for a LeMat revolver.
#207 – To Missouri Valley Arms Collectors Association and Missouri Valley Vigilantes, for their saddle bucket scabbard and belt.
#208 – To Oregon Arms Collectors Association, for their leather Girardoni canister cover.
#209 – To Ohio Gun Collectors Association, for their reproduction Leonard rifle barrel exhibit railing.
#210 – To Glock Collectors Association, for their consecutively numbered G17 pistols, serial numbers AA-601US and AA-602US.

Best Miniature Arms Awards

A total of 3 miniature silver medals may be awarded; only 2 medals were awarded this year.
# 90 – ½ scale double rifle made by Foelen Siaens for the 1905 Liege Exhibition.
# 91 – Circa 1580 antique wheellock pistol made by Michael Mann.

The National Firearms Museum “Sprit of the Game” Award

Presented to the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association for their display, “Early Single-Actions, 1857-1891.”

NRA Gun Collectors Committee Trophy

The 57th Annual NRA Gun Collectors Committee Trophy was awarded to Winchester Arms Collectors Association, for their display, “Youth Marksmanship & Gun Safety Program, 1919 to 1924.” This is the 1st time Winchester Arms Collectors Association has won the National Gun Collectors Committee Trophy.


We would like to thank the members of the 18 clubs who put in all of their time, hard work, and effort to present such a great group of displays. We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and time that it takes to officially judge the exhibits and extend our gratitude to Judges Jay Hansen, John Sigler, Joe Salter, and Tracie Hill, and the members of the Gun Collectors Committee.