Bangor gun show draws enthusiasts of all kinds

For the past 30 years, shooting sports enthusiasts have flocked to the Bangor Auditorium for the annual Bangor Gun Show.

But as organizers once again proved over the weekend, there’s plenty more to this annual event than simply guns.

“A lot of [the exhibitors] have their own individual specialties,” explained Charlie Rumsey, who helps organize the show for the Penobscot County Conservation Association. “There’s some antique cartridge collectors, there are some people who deal in law enforcement and [military collectibles]. You can probably find just about anything in the world of firearms and associated equipment down on this floor.”

And then some. Everything from ceremonial swords to camouflage gear and maintenance manuals was on display. At one booth, you could buy a bobblehead moose pen. At another, books about a variety of military collectibles were on sale.

And at Chris Kravitt’s booth, you got the chance to celebrate some fine Maine craftsmanship.

Kravitt, who lives in Waltham, owns Treestump Leather. And though he also sells some firearms and knives, much of his time is spent creating superb leather goods.

“The biggest part of my business is custom leather work,” Kravitt said. “I specialize in custom knife sheaths and gun leather, and of course I’m in the gun and knife business as well.”

Go to the gun show looking to buy or sell, and you’ll likely find that opportunity.

Head there to browse, or just to learn more about a given firearm, and you’ll have that chance, too.

That’s particularly apparent at specialty tables like the one Don DeMattais of Litchfield runs.

DeMattais is an unabashed Winchester fan. And over the years, he has turned that passion into a business.

“It’s a hobby that’s gotten totally out of control,” DeMattais said with a chuckle. “I started collecting about 30 years ago, exclusively Winchesters. The evolution into a business after I retired seemed like a natural extension of my hobby into a supplemental retirement income.”

For DeMattais and others who share his passion, there’s something very special about Winchesters, known far and wide as “The Gun That Won the West.”

“There’s probably more history and folklore written and more books written about Winchester rifles than any other firearm ever created,” DeMattais said. “I think it’s the history, the provenance about each piece that makes it interesting.”

Another firearms enthusiast returned to the Bangor Gun Show with one of the event’s top attractions.

Bangor dentist Bob Erickson manned that table and was eager to show visitors his replica Gatling Gun.

“I remember as a kid once seeing a Gatling Gun at a gun show, and you couldn’t keep me away from it,” Erickson said. “By having it here – and this is a reproduction, it was made about five or six years ago, but all of the parts are interchangeable with the originals – it gives the opportunity for kids, or kids at heart, [to see] what a Gatling Gun is, real close up and personal, because most people don’t see it except in the movies.”

Other organizations also set up camp at the show, including conservation groups and sporting clubs.

One such group – the Hampden Rifle & Pistol Club – set up a display to show folks how much fun action pistol events can be.

“What we’re doing here is we’ve got a table, some brochures, about [United States Practical Shooting Association] shooting,” said Jason Baack, vice president of the club. “It’s an action-pistol event style of shooting that is shot all over the country. We’re not selling anything. We’re just getting people out and excited about shooting sports.”

In recent years gun shows across the country have been criticized as a way for criminals to purchase firearms they wouldn’t be able to buy through traditional means. Rumsey said that situation doesn’t crop up in Bangor.

“There are no persons here selling modern firearms that are not fully federally licensed to do so,” Rumseys said. “I know there are some people in the world that are concerned about the so-called ‘gun show loophole.’ And really it doesn’t exist here, and it really doesn’t exist in a lot of places.”

And Rumsey, an avid shooting sports advocate, pointed out that his chosen pastime is much safer than many people think.

“Organized shooting sports are fun, [and] the safest sport there is out there,” Rumsey said. “We suffer less injuries than even bowling. Organized shooting sports under the guidance of coaches and range safety officers are just extremely safe activities, and fun.”

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.