In an attempt to grow the Canterbury Branch and to promote firearms related activities Gunshows were held in the Limes Room at the Christchurch Town Hall.

No one seemed to mind carrying things up and down the stairs. These events were well organised by Robin Rapley and others with the whole room full of displays and sales table.

I was responsible for the Canterbury Mountain Safety display, for the second year in a row, which gave me the opportunity to meet David Hunter, now a life long friend. I was fascinated by the wide range  of arms on display and spent quite some time watching the 16mm arms related movies Colin Young was showing. Norm Pearce, whom I’d known through Lance Perham since I was 14 years of age, talked me into buying my first British Military Rifle – a .303 Martini Enfield (which by the way is still in my collection). Norm took me home to collect the money needed and also talked me into joining Antique Arms. What a great decision that was. 

Collectors from all over NZ made the pilgrimage to this annual event. Luckily the photos from this show have been preserved. Help is needed to name some of them so please email g.barber303@gmail.com if you can fill in the gaps. Just record the number of the photo from 1-17 followed by names from left to right.