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May 23, 2009
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Found this picture of a old gun show trophy winner online.
I’d have a big smile on my face as well it I had what was on that table and the whole cabinet & contents at the end.
Anybody know who’s table this was?
Sincerely,
Maverick
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November 19, 2006
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I’d be smiling too. Which is saying something as I rarely smile. Stunning rifles!
March 31, 2009
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I would like his case. These sell for 10 to $12,000 these days.
November 2, 2009
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Do you know where this photo was taken? I think I may know who that is.
August 27, 2014
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Looks like the sign in back of the case reads Fowler Sports Center.
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
July 17, 2012
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Tedk said
Looks like the sign in back of the case reads Fowler Sports Center.
If so, then there is not much left after the fire… https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/12/12/Fire-traps-kills-four-in-gunshop/9598503211600/
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
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Chuck said
I would like his case. These sell for 10 to $12,000 these days.
I had a chance to buy a case like that at an “estate” auction awhile back. Apparently I should have stayed in the bidding but the auctioneer is a bit shady.
Mike
January 26, 2011
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JWA said
If so, then there is not much left after the fire… https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/12/12/Fire-traps-kills-four-in-gunshop/9598503211600/
Wow, that’s a crazy story! Very sad event. The sign in the picture was likely an advertisement for the table holders business. Maybe he is one of them that lost his life?
~Gary~
July 17, 2012
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Yes, crazy and sad. I read a few more articles describing the fire. Mike Fowler was listed as the current owner in 1985 but he was only 40 and the picture appears to be from the 70’s based on the clothing style. The older man in the photo was likely his dad or possibly an employee but probably related in some fashion. Mike and 3 others lost their lives.
I had never heard of this amazing story so kudos to Maverick for posting the picture and prompting me to research it.
You can also read about the crazy start of the fire from a full-auto mac-10 being fired in the basement.
Best Regards,
.
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 1, 2013
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Chuck said
I would like his case. These sell for 10 to $12,000 these days.
Is there a name for this style? Hard to believe you couldn’t hire a cabinet maker to make one from scratch for much less. An original Tiffiany, that’s different, but I doubt that’s what this one is.
July 17, 2012
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I have heard them refered to as a “pyramid” case but that just may be a slang term. I don’t make enough dinero to spend $12,000 to display my $300 guns.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 1, 2013
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JWA said
I have heard them refered to as a “pyramid” case but that just may be a slang term.
Probably it is…that term brings up nothing similar on ebay. “China display case” shows many that are that are much cheaper, & usually larger & fancier.
“China display case” is rather sadly ironic–90% of the new ones are made IN China! But don’t think “cheap”–I’ve seen a few, & the quality is very damn good!
May 23, 2009
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clarence said
JWA said
I have heard them refered to as a “pyramid” case but that just may be a slang term.Probably it is…that term brings up nothing similar on ebay. “China display case” shows many that are that are much cheaper, & usually larger & fancier.
“China display case” is rather sadly ironic–90% of the new ones are made IN China! But don’t think “cheap”–I’ve seen a few, & the quality is very damn good!
There is a great article about these Winchester Display Cases on page 36 of the Fall 2020 Collector.
As far as the photo goes, I don’t know much of anything about it, just found it to be an interesting photo. I don’t know who is in it and/or where it was taken.
As far as date of it goes, I’m guessing 1972, as that is what appears on the bottom of the trophy in the middle of the table.
The only other detail I notice is that the gun show appears to be in a Gym building. As there is the foldable/pullout seating along the wall and court line markings on the wooden gym floor. So unless someone knows who it is in the photo, your guess is as good as mine. Just thought those are some fine specimens on that table.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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March 31, 2009
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There still is a Fowler’s Gun Room here in So Cal. If I can print this picture I will take it to the gun shop I hang out tomorrow and see what the owner says. He sold a lot of the Fowler collection. I still go to Fowler’s to buy loading and cleaning materials. When Sam was alive he used to have quite a few Winchesters on the walls of the store. None of which were available for purchase. He used to have 2 stores but one was closed up a couple years ago.
https://www.fowlergunroom.net/
Edit: Sam did not die in the fire.
March 31, 2009
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clarence said
Is there a name for this style? Hard to believe you couldn’t hire a cabinet maker to make one from scratch for much less. An original Tiffiany, that’s different, but I doubt that’s what this one is.
Check this one out.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/81/3/glass-winchester-store-display-gun-cabinet
November 1, 2013
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Chuck said
Check this one out.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/81/3/glass-winchester-store-display-gun-cabinet
My ignorance, Chuck–didn’t realize it was a Win-made case.
March 31, 2009
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clarence said
My ignorance, Chuck–didn’t realize it was a Win-made case.
Most people have never seen one of these so don’t feel bad.
March 31, 2009
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Chuck said
There still is a Fowler’s Gun Room here in So Cal. If I can print this picture I will take it to the gun shop I hang out tomorrow and see what the owner says. He sold a lot of the Fowler collection. I still go to Fowler’s to buy loading and cleaning materials. When Sam was alive he used to have quite a few Winchesters on the walls of the store. None of which were available for purchase. He used to have 2 stores but one was closed up a couple years ago.https://www.fowlergunroom.net/
Edit: Sam did not die in the fire. The other gun store was called the Stockade.
March 31, 2009
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Maverick said
Found this picture of a old gun show trophy winner online.
I’d have a big smile on my face as well it I had what was on that table and the whole cabinet & contents at the end.
Anybody know who’s table this was?
Sincerely,
Maverick
I took this picture to the gun shop this morning. The location is the Retail Clerks auditorium right across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm. Many B movie actors would show up. There was a fast draw contest on the stage some of the times. John guesses that the picture was taken sometime between 1968 and 1970. He could narrow it down if the address on the sign could be read. The gentleman in the blue shirt behind Sam Fowler is Gordon Provost. The gentleman bent over on the right he can’t remember his name but he is an engineer and a Smith & Wesson Collector.
John’s shop was about a mile away. The explosion shook his shop. When he went outside there was a huge black plume. He says Sam’s son Mike was shooting a machine gun into a bullet trap in the basement. When the fire started Mike was afraid to call for help because of all of the stuff in the basement didn’t meet code. This was a very interesting family but I am not going to get into the particulars.
