--OGCA Meetings are strictly LIMITED to members and their guests--

Upcoming Meeting Dates
  May 8-9, 2021 Annual OGCA Display Show - Don't Miss it!
July 17-18, 2021 Collectors Invitational Featuring ROCS (The Ruger Owners & Collectors Society)
Sept. 11-12, 2021 Featuring The Winchester Arms Collectors Association Annual Midwestern Show

FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE, DIRECTIONS AND HOTELS, CLICK ON SHOWS.
Visit the "Home" page for any urgent announcements regarding upcoming meetings.  Thank you!

Spring 2021 Member's Newsletter (click to read)

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Opportunity to Co-Share Tables Begins May 8-9, 2021

Beginning with the May meeting we will be allowing two members to share a table with Friday trading privileges for both members. “I encourage any member, who has not had a trade table before, to partner with another member, share the cost, and give it a try. My hopes would be that you would come to enjoy it,” said President Sherman Kirkland. The cost to co-share is a flat fee of $20 no matter how many tables are shared. For example $80 per table plus the $20 co-share fee is just $50 each. A “Tableholder Pass” will be issued for each member but no “Helper Pass.” Each individual will share responsibility of the table or tables and both will have trading privileges during set-up times. Forms were available at the March meeting. Contact us if you need one at ogca@ogca.com or (330) 467-5733.

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Thank you in Advance to Annual Display Show Judges:
Larry Wales, Jack Lewis and Bob Wos

We have three highly knowledgeable Display Show judges for the upcoming May meeting. A warm welcome back to Lawrence Wales who is a past Display Show judge, author and award winning displayer. Larry is a 38 year Life member. He has created outstanding displays since the early 1990s, ranging from just one special gun to a 35 rifle display. He understands that the accoutrements and supporting documentation are the difference between a good display and a great one. Larry has written four books about the history and features of Newton rifles. He is also a life member of the NRA, Colorado Gun Collectors Association and the Winchester Arms Collectors Association.

Second, we welcome 50-year Life member Jack Lewis to the 2021 judges panel. Jack is Partner and Director of Historic Firearms and Militaria of Lewis & Grant Auctions. He is a second-generation antique firearms expert known throughout the industry. Jack brings over 50 years of experience as a firearms and militaria historian, collector, researcher, and author. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors, lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a proud Vietnam War veteran.

Rounding out our panel is none other than OGCA Past President Bob Wos who will bring his firearm display judging experience back to the club he loves so much. Bob is a 37 year Life member who most recently served a long tenure as Treasurer of OGCA PAC. As a member of the NRA Gun Collectors Committee Bob has judged major exhibits including the NRA Annual Meeting and numerous national NRA Gun Collectors Shows. He is a member of S&W Collectors Assoc., M1 Garand & M1 Carbine collectors associations, Browning Collectors Assoc., Missouri Valley Gun Collectors, Texas Gun Collectors, Dallas Arms Collectors, and Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Assoc.

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Membership Dues

The year through which your dues are paid can be found on your current membership badge and wallet card, as well as on your dues statement mailing in October.  Please read it carefully to see if your membership expires December 31, 2020. If your Statement indicates that your dues are paid through 2021 or beyond, you need not take any action at this time.  If you have any questions, call anytime at (330) 467-5733.   Members may pay directly on our secure Online Dues Payment Program by Clicking Here; via credit card over the phone at (330) 467-5733 or mail check or money order to the business office. You do not need your dues statement in order to mail your dues, but whenever possible include your member number on the memo of your check.  For more information click on "Dues."

1-year dues: $45
1-year Active Duty Military: Free (Enclose rank, branch, duty station)
3-year dues:  $110 (saves $25)
5-year dues:  $165 (saves $60)
Life Membership:  $700
Sr. Life (65 yrs.+): $400 (Enclose proof of age)

Mail check or money order to: OGCA, P.O. Box 670406, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067.

Please anticipate 3-6 weeks for processing. If payment is not received by March 31, 2021, the name of the non-paying member will be removed from our files and can be reinstated only by paying a minimum of 3 years dues by December 31, 2021. We need and appreciate your support. Thank you! Also, all members are encouraged to update their confidential phone and email address. Simply email us at ogca@ogca.com, write it on your dues statement when mailing it in, or call the Business Office at (330) 467-5733.  Thank you! Former Members who left in good standing and whose dues expired years ago now have several ways to re-join/re-apply.  See the "Join" tab above.

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A Message From Our President

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Sherman Kirkland III. I am self-employed, and have been the owner operator of Sherman’s Automotive for 31 years. I live in Ashtabula County, in the small community of Windsor. I reside there with my wife of 46 years, Mari Beth, and our precious granddaughter, Stefany. Together, Mari Beth and I were blessed with one daughter, Jennifer, and two sons, Sherman IV, and David. We have eight wonderful grandchildren, and our very first great grandchild on his way, in May.

My father was very influential in my interest in collecting. I began attending Gun Shows with my dad at a very young age. I have a wide and varied interest in collecting, but currently, I am focusing on my Harrington & Richardson Handy Gun Collection.

Our Annual Display show in May, is our premier show. I encourage any member to participate in this event no matter how big, or how small. A display does not have to be large to be of interest to our members. Display show packets are available through the OGCA office. Questions can be directed to Committee Chair Sean McCarter.

Due to the impossibility of social distancing, no banquet can be held in 2021, but we are planning something special for the May 2021 Display Show Awards Presentation.  On the bright side, we will have a heck of a banquet in 2022, and, yes, Ian McCullom of www.forgottenweapons.com will be our keynote speaker!  Look for more information as we get closer to the Saturday evening, April 30, 2022 banquet.

In May 2021, we will be allowing two members to share a table with Friday night privileges, for both members. I encourage any member, who has not had a trade table before, to partner with another member, share the cost, and give it a try. My hopes would be that you would come to enjoy it. See above.

We have also modified requirements for new member applicants. These changes will make it easier for new applicants to join OGCA. [Click on "Join" tab, above.]

If you have an interest in becoming a Director, and are willing to give your time and effort, please request a Director Application packet. OGCA needs dedicated and committed Directors.

OGCA has provided its membership four excellent shows, during this very unfortunate pandemic. We have put our member’s safety first and foremost. We did this as a TEAM. Kudos to Past President, Fred Kolb, the OGCA Business office, the Executive Board, the Past President Counsel, and the OGCA Board of Directors. This was a big undertaking, and your hard work really paid off for our membership. The recent shows have been quite a success. I heard many times how happy our members were to be at an OGCA show, and that is due to your efforts. I strongly believe in Teamwork, and that is what OGCA is all about. This is one of the reason why OGCA is the largest, private Gun Club in the USA. Thank you so much OGCA team.
As your President, I will always make every effort to have an open door policy. I look forward to serving you for the next two years.

Sherman Kirkland

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Table Application and Guest Pass Forms

Guest Passes (for use by current members): Guests are welcome Saturday and Sunday! Guest Passes are on on page 11 of the  newsletter.  For security reasons the form is not online.  If you are a member and would like a copy of a form call (330) 467-5733 or email ogca@ogca.com. Guest Passes are $15. Members may bring up to 4 guests per meeting. Guests are limited to 2 visits per life. 

Great spots remain open for members May 8-9, 2021:  As of this writing tables are still available. (330) 467-5733 ogca@ogca.com. (Forms are not posted on the web for security reasons.) Members may reserve tables for up to two shows at a time ($80 per table). Tables may be rented via mail, phone, or in person during a meeting for the next 2 meetings.  Annual 2022 Tables (all 6 meetings for calendar year 2022) will go on sale in September 2021.   See Table Co-Sharing announcement above.

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 New Options for Applying

Members: as announced in the last 2 mailings, changes approved at the Nov. meeting include that you may sponsor a friend that has a CCW permit or FFL/C&R license without your friend needing a 2nd sponsor. (The license or permit held by the applicant serves in lieu of a 2nd sponsor.) The application must be returned in person with one sponsor present. Another change passed in November addresses a former member’s ability to rejoin OGCA. Former members who left in good standing may rejoin without sponsors. [Click on "Join" tab, above.] In order to rejoin it is necessary to contact the Business Office in advance. Thank you!

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Run for a Spot on the OGCA Board of Directors

We are actively looking for dedicated members who are interesting in serving on the Board of Directors of OGCA. You must be an Ohio resident and a member for at least five years. Nominations opened at the March meeting and will close at the end of the May meeting. All interested candidates may contact First Vice President, Terrie Hill at (740) 504-3530 for the required forms. Return them in advance of the May meeting or in person at the May meeting no later than 2 pm Sunday May 9th at Terrie’s tables T 7-10 (orange flag).

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Display Show 2021: It is not that Hard to Present an Engaging Display

It can be a daunting task to think about putting on a display for the OGCA annual display show. It need not be. The cover photo of the Spring 2021 newsletter Spring 2021 Member's Newsletter (click to read) features a one-gun display that was awarded the Judge’s Choice award in the 2019 Display Show. The display featured a unique firearm, along with factory literature regarding the gun. The display enhanced the unique features of the gun, engraving, metal work and the stock, by incorporating a mirror and presenting the gun up off of the table. The Display was captioned with an appropriate sign and title.

The point being, a unique firearm or group of firearms can present a very well received display. Sure, some members present wonderful exhaustive collections and clearly have devoted many hours to creating their display. We all appreciate these displays. But we all do not have the time or the collection to support such a large display. The point is you can still put on a great display even if you do not have the queen’s armory and all the time in the world.

The displays are scored based on the following judging criteria:
EDUCATIONAL FACTORS:

A. TITLE: Is the title clearly visible and does it reflect the contents of the display? 5 points

B. CONTENTS: Is the display explained with supplementary text in a well-balanced manner (i.e. is it too much to digest or just right?) 10 points

C. LABELING: Are individual items properly and adequately identified? 5 points

D. COLLECTOR IMPORTANCE/HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. 15 points

MATERIAL OF THE DISPLAY (WEAPONS):

A. COMPLETENESS 15 points

B. CONDITION: How does condition compare to material available? Are the items in original condition? 10 points

C. RARITY OF ITEMS DISPLAYED 15 points

D. RELATED ITEMS: 15 points

GENERAL APPEAL:
Are neatness, general appearance, relative skill and creativity evidenced in the presentation of the display? 10 points
Total points available 100

A unique single gun or small group of guns, presented with related material, properly labeled, that is of importance, and neatly presented, can do well pursuant to these criteria. In addition, the first-place awards are separated into 4 categories, Antique (pre-1898), Pre-World War II (1898-1945), Post World War II (after 1945), and military.

To obtain a display show packet, including the rules, for May 8th & 9th, 2021, please contact Member Services Coordinator Sandra Schwab at the Business Office (330) 467-5733 or at sschwab@ogca.com. If you have questions regarding displaying you can also contact Display Show Chairman Sean McCarter via phone (614) 395-2919 and in person at the meeting hall, table P-21; committee member Chris Rohal via phone (440) 223-2725 and in person in the OGCA Registration Room at the hall, as well as any other member of the Display Show Committee including Rod Kirian at table I1, Tom Bowersox at table J13 & 14, and Brad Raum at D11.

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Collector Invitationals - Mark Your Calendar

July 17-18, 2021
It is 2 years in the making, but the much anticipated 6th Annual ROCS/OGCA Show will be held July 17-18, 2021. The Ruger Owners & Collectors Society are a fine group of collectors, and they will be holding their great Display Show. ROCS displays range from Novice to Masters Class and include Ruger single-actions, automatics, double-actions, long guns and memorabilia. For more information on ROCS, visit: www.rugersociety.com. Make plans today for the July meeting and bring out your Rugers. More information in next newsletter.

Sept. 11-12, 2021
For the 10th year, our friends The Winchester Arms Collectors Association will hold their Annual Midwestern Show Sept. 11-12, 2021. They supported our first meeting permitted under Covid-19 last September, and we really look forward to hosting them this coming September. They will have many trade tables with fine Winchester firearms and interesting related memorabilia. Fore more information visit  winchestercollector.org.   Jessica Bennett, Cody Firearm’s Museum Record’s Specialist will also be there to do record searches on your Winchester, Marlin, L.C. Smith, Ithaca/Lefever and Savage firearms. More information to follow.

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‘21 OGCA PAC RaffleTickets Available in May!

It’s almost that time! The Annual PAC raffle begins at the May 8 & 9 meeting. You will also find raffle tickets in your next newsletter which you will receive in June.

Raffle proceeds support two important causes 1) pro-Second Amendment candidates and our right to keep and bear arms, and 2) youth target shooting programs. Supporting youth shooting and gun safety education satisfies Ohio gaming laws, and the long term success of firearm collecting.

Due to the generosity of members, PAC Chairman Marty Capito has some fabulous prizes. All 6 of them will be displayed at his table (typically U 15 & 11) during the May, July, and September Meetings.

The winning tickets will be pulled at the September meeting on Sunday September 12th. Tickets are $5 for one or $20 for 5.

1st Prize - M1 Garand, 1944 mfr. Springfield Armory with sling,
30-06 cal.

2nd Prize - Browning 22 Auto, breakdown rifle, 1968 Belgium mfr. with box

3rd Prize - Smith & Wesson 29-10, 4” bbl. 44 Magnum, with box and accessories

4th Prize - GSG-1911 pistol, 22LR cal. Brand new in the box and un-fired

5th Prize - Double-Tap over/under derringer, 45 ACP, with box and accessories

6th Prize - OGCA 50th Anniversary Knife

The next couple of years are going to be critical for protecting the U.S. Constitution and we must support the political candidates who support us in this battle! Show your support and take a chance on winning a great prize.

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Meeting Hours Start at 8:30 AM / Save on Lodging Cost with Increased Sat. Set up Time

Sat. and Sun. Meeting Hours now start at 8:30 AM, and tableholder set up hours Sat. and Sun. morning have been extended to better accommodate members who rent tables and potentially avoid the time and cost of a Fri. hotel stay.  Based on the recent Membership Questionnaire it is clear that these minor time changes will make a big impact. There are no changes to the Friday set up time.   Note the Holiday Inn at Roberts Centre still has a strict 2-night minimum (which is beyond OGCA's control) and a list of other hotels can be found on the SHOWS page.

Meeting Hours Now in Effect Saturday 8:30 am - 5 pm Sunday 8:30 am - 2 pm Set up/Exhibitor Hours (Refer to Table confirmation as we may need Tableholders to arrive by 8:15 for social distancing of any lines.) Fri. 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm exhibitor Set-up Sat. 7:00 am - 8:30 am exhibitor Set-up Sun. 7:30 am - 8:30 am exhibitor Set-up