Today begins the first day of the Collector’s West Gun and Knife Show, a three-day event at the Portland Expo Center that promises to bring outdoor sporting equipment enthusiasts together for a weekend of collectibles, free appraisals, and rare auctions.
According to the event’s press release, “it’s like an ‘Antiques Road Show’ for rare and collectible hunting and fishing gear.”
This year’s Gun and Knife Show features Ward’s Auctions, a family-run online hunting and fishing consignment-and-bidding site based in Salem. They not only hope to sell off a 1500+ inventory brought along specially for the event, but they also encourage attendees to bring in their prized antiques for a free appraisal.
Business partner Eric Ward says that he’s always amazed at the treasures he finds in unexpected places. “We found so much wonderful stuff right here in Salem when we were doing (appraisals) at G.I. Joe’s, and I mean we found a $6,500 reel, and a couple of fishing lures in the wood dovetail box that were worth over $1,000, stuff you just wouldn’t even think was in Salem.”
His excellent scouting techniques helped him and his father, Jere, get their business off and running when they discovered an empty shotshell box in 1989 at a garage sale. The item was valued at $3,500.
The Ward’s auction tables will be set up near the front of the event, and items can be appraised free of charge so that guests do not have to pay the $9 admission.
Ward added, however, that the event is well worth the admission price. “People that come to the show will see old hunting and fishing stuff from the 1800s through the 1930s that they have never seen in Oregon or the Northwest. Nobody’s put on a show like we’re going to put on.”
The Collector’s West Knife and Gun Show at the Portland Expo Center starts today, February 4, until 6 p.m. and will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 6. Admission is $9, Expo parking is $8, and carpool parking is $7 if there are three or more passengers in the vehicle.
