By JARRAD HEDES

jmhedes@tnonline.comSome enthusiasts attend gun shows to find good deals. Others enjoy the socialization with fellow collectors.One of about 20 Jaeger Arms Promotions shows each year, the one this weekend at Andreas Sporting Club brought together vendors and customers of varying experience levels.Take Pat Lennon, for example.The Hawley resident sells firearms mostly from his own collection and began doing so after active stints with the U.S. International Muzzle-Loading Team and the North-South Skirmish Association.After participating in several living history events, including with a Revolutionary War re-enactment group, Lennon began collecting, and eventually selling, firearms."It's a hobby, not a profession, for me," he said. "In most cases, the items I'm bringing to shows are pieces I've gotten tired of shooting. I did better than expected here this weekend with the weather. We were able to sell to two new shooters in the hopes of getting them started, and that is one of the most gratifying parts of this."Among the items offered by Lennon at Andreas were a Remington Rolling Block rifle and a 12-gauge Winchester model 1897, priced at $479.It's not all firearms at one of Jaeger's shows."We have militaria, ammunition, cutlery, all kinds of edged weapons, battle axes, bayonets and all types of accessories," said John Tidd, of Jaeger Arms productions, the Lake Ariel organization in charge of the show this past weekend."This is one of our smaller shows and the weather combined with several emergencies wiped out an entire floor of vendors, but we typically get up to 100 vendors for a show like this. The crowd is dedicated and we've gotten into the thousands before. Even the smaller shows have a niche following."Many of the same faces come back from show to show, said Gerry Solt, of Gerry's Custom Leather in Wescosville.Solt offers many custom-made leather products, including a belt he spent over eight hours working on for a customer at Andreas.In many cases, customers order an item from Solt at one show and pick it up several shows later."I actually started out making knives and putting handles on them," Solt said. "But then every time I turned around, there was another knife maker. So I went back to what I had done when I was a Boy Scout, which is work with leather."While Solt gave up the knife-making business, Philadelphia's Larry Lenci stays busy collecting and selling them.Lenci's interest in knives began as a kid."You always want that first pocket knife when you're young, and it kind of snowballs from there," he said."I love the historical ones and wondering where they have been and what they have done."In a technological age, it's easier for Lenci to find that information."The knives from any conflict are a great find," he said. "Many times you can find where the soldier was stationed and what battles he was in. Sometimes you can find a photograph of the soldier carrying the knife, which jumps the value about 300 percent."While his best-seller in Andreas was a Swedish Mora knife, popular with survivalists, Lenci pointed out a knife used in Iraq by a member of the U.S. Navy SEAL Team 4."I contacted the knife's maker and he said he knew who had used it, but he couldn't give the name," Lenci, an ex-Navy member himself, said."I do know that the sailor is still alive."Business in Andreas was slow due to the weather and economy, Lenci said, but he relishes the hobby and time with his friends."We all see each other at almost every show and it's my time to get out and socialize," he said.Lennon said he's pleased to see more women attending gun shows."I think to one degree they are getting involved in hunting, but it also speaks to the empowerment of firearms in general," Lennon said."In the last six months, at least three women have avoided being raped on a college campus because they have been carrying a firearm. It doesn't always make the media, but it's all documented. Also, look at the school shootings. Over 80 percent of the time, those shootings have been stopped by someone else with a firearm."Tidd has been promoting a gun show at Andreas for the past two years."The club has been here since 1938 and our sole purpose is to promote hunting and outdoor activities, and this falls right in line," said Dean Deem, of the Andreas Sporting Club."It's been absolutely great in getting young people involved. The show has something for the expert with a $1 million collection and the beginner who is just starting out."Another show is scheduled for Andreas Oct. 10-11.For a full list of shows, or information on becoming a vendor, visit

www.jaegerarmspromotions.com.