Cobb's Southeastern Civil War Show

 The 30th Annual Civil War Show was held at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta, Georgia on August 9th and 10th. This show is sponsored by the North Georgia Relic Hunters Association every year. The show is held in a great Civil War area. Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield, Pickets Mill Battlefield, and New Hope Church are located nearby. Many other battlefields are within a couple of hours drive including Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and Resaca. The weather was good in Georgia at this time of year and the club does everything possible to make sure that people and dealers are welcome at the show.   

Civil War Dealers from across the country set up at this show. Just about any type of relic was offered for sale. Besides the many types of relics, educational displays on various aspects of the war were available for viewing.

One of the big surpises at the show was the legendary 'Wildman' Dent Myers setting up a table. He told Carl Silverwood that it was nine thousand years since he had last attended a Civil War show. He was definately the 'real deal' at the show. Since the event was not in the city of Kennesaw, he did not pack two sidearms. Toot! Toot!

Elizabeth McMahan handled adminstrative chores at the back door. Lauren Hammonds kept the dealers supplied with donuts in the early morning hours. Being a retired police officer, I thought that it was a nice touch.  

Lawrence Christopher was feeling good dealing at his regular tables at the show. Bill Swafford surveys the floor before making an announcement over the P.A. system.

Dixieland Civil War Relics' Tom Ivery brought his deep South relics. Tonnia Arnold holds the fort while her husband Ernie wanders looking for Burnside breast plates.

Mike gives information to Nick Masgavay on a nice Bormann Shell that Nick recently dug in Cobb County. The fuse was in perfect condition and the remains of the tin band were still attached. It was determined by Mike that the Bormann was a dropped and not a fired round.

Rebel Metal Detector's Steve Nogan set up his metal detector display from Charleston, South Carolina. He is one of my favorite detector dealors and I have bought my share of machines from him over the years. I have never been disappointed in his advice on detectors.  

Confederate Soldier Sam Watkins' great grandaughter Ruth McAllister was on hand to autograph new copies of Co. AYTCH at the show. The new book incorporated actual images of Watkins' handwritten additions. On the right, David and Robert inspect artillery shells on display.

Meigs and Skip from Arkansas show off their wares. Butch Holcomb takes photos of dug relics for his American Digger Magazine.

Jeff Cash counts his cash behind his display while Rick Burton provides information on a signal pistol to John Gallia. 

One of the great relic displays was on the Dimmick Sharpshooter rifle carried by the 14th Missouri Infantry. Bullets, rifles, photos, and badges were all part of this unique display.

This award winning display demonstrated that collecting along with research can make history very personal to people. On the right is Amy Burnette who answered questions about her fiancée's collection.

The Fullenwiders came as group to check out everything at the show. They visit the show every year. On the right, Daniel Ogle brought a lot of local dug relics to the show.

Master Relic Hunter Bill Mull shows me a rare political button that he recently dug. Bryan Clark with his wife Diane came from Mobile, Alabama to sell relics. He attends the show every year.

The Club provided a bar-b-que for dealers Saturday night in appreciation of their support. The dinner was held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Marietta. 

Being at the end of the chow line, the above girls are still happy after a long day helping out at the relic show. Sharing information and discussing the hobby is what made this show worthwhile. It took a lot of hard work for members of the North Georgia Relic Hunters Association to put it together. They are now making plans to make next year's show even better. Hope to see you there in 2009.