Midwest Artillery Show
June 22,23,24, 2007
Bluewater Sportsman's Club. Port Huron, MI.

Invitation Information

Exhibitions of original or full scale reproduction cannon, equipment, projectiles, uniforms, or images concerning artillery since 1775 are welcome at this event. Guns, Limbers, and wheeled/tracked vehicles will be in a line chronologically in an artillery park.

There are no Federal or State of Michigan restrictions on the sale, possession, or transport of antique ordnance or their full-scale replicas, nor is there restriction on the possession of Breechloading cannon in the State of Michigan. However, strict guidelines may apply to many ordnance items that fit within the scope of this show. It is the responsibility of the owner of such items to be aware of those State or Federal restrictions, and to be legally able to document any display, sale, or transport of these items.

No Charge for exhibitors, and displays of full scale carriage mounted cannon or wheeled/tracked artillery vehicles. Units that want to set up authentic campsites are invited to do so in the exhibit area.

Tables and canopies are to be provided by exhibitors or vendors. There is a $20.00 charge to vendors for this two day event, for an approximate 10’ x 10’ space.

Awards will be given for Best of Show, Outstanding Exhibit, and Outstanding Original Gun, Outstanding Replica Gun, and Outstanding Ammunition Exhibit.

Vehicles and trailers must be moved to a designated parking area by 9:30 am on Saturday. No vehicles will be allowed in the display area during the show hours.

Eligibility for Artillery Competition:

Invitations are extended only to artillery pieces designed before 1899 and fired with black powder propellant. All projectiles must be inert.

Field guns and mortars must be full size originals or accurate replicas and must be mounted on authentic carriages in good order.

Cast iron original guns shall have steel liners retrofitted. Exceptions to this are considered on an individual basis. Replica iron guns which are solid cast and drilled with fitted liners may used.

Artillery demonstrations of other periods will be considered on an individual basis. Persons who wish to do this need to contact Norm Gibson.

The show sponsors reserve the right to decline admission to any artillery piece which does not meet commonly accepted standards of design and manufacture.
Equipment, Drill, competition rules:

Only registered participants may be forward of the safety line separating the spectators from the firing range.

A full set of equipment for service of the piece of original design or better is required.

Drill procedures and timing must follow N-SSA/AAA published norms or appropriate service of the piece in the case of post Civil War pieces. Mortars may use platforms, field guns may not.

Inspections: Guns, equipment, and ammunition are subject to inspection.

Muzzle loading projectiles & powder charges: See attached table for charge and projectile weights. Only 1Fg powder or coarser may be used. Charges must be wrapped in at least one complete layer of heavy duty aluminum foil. Each charge will be stored and transported in its own container. Projectiles shall not be of a configuration or material which may cause unsafe pressures. All projectiles must be inert, and must not fragment in flight.

Number of rounds: Fourteen rounds match over two days plus two extra rounds for possible inspection, total sixteen rounds for the weekend.

Field gun Targeting/Scoring: Four breakable targets and one counter battery target posted at 100 yards each day. Crews will fire four rounds each day at breakables and three rounds each day at a paper counter battery target. All rounds will count towards an aggregate score. Each breakable is worth five points, and the counter battery target smoothbores will have a 20” five ring and rifles a 12” five ring. A perfect score will be 70 points. Ties will be broken using the scoring rings on the counter battery target with shot furthest from the center losing. Each relay will have one hour to compete their firing.

Mortar matches will consist of a 100 yard, fourteen round match held over two days, seven rounds each day. The five best shots each day will be used for a string measurement. Each crew will post its own target stake (max. 2 in. dia.) All powder must be pre-measured with each main charge, and each boost charge in clearly marked containers. This will be a 45 minute match each day/

Uniforms of the period you represent must be worn by all members of participating units during show hours. Exceptions: NO Axis uniforms, insignia, or flags.

Awards Classifications: Awards will be given for Smoothbores, Rifles, and Mortars with the number of places determined by the number of entries.

Camping and Food

On site camping will be available for period camps, as well as modern units. However, the camping is located in a field with only outhouses available. Bring your own water. Ground fires will be permitted provided that a pit is used and the sod replaced afterwards. There are restaurants within three miles of the range. Motel information is available on reque

Schedule of Events

Friday, June 22

Noon to 8:00 pm Registration and setup. Camping area open.

Saturday, June 23

7:30-9:00 am Registration and Setup

9:00 am Open to the public

9:30 am School of the Piece for those groups wishing to demonstrate to the public.
Judging of Exhibits.
Firing demonstrations of small arms.
One on one instruction in the firing of historical firearms.

1:00 pm First relay of field gun competition.

2:15 pm NWT musket team demonstration.

2:30 pm Mortar competition.

4:00 pm Second relay of field gun competition.

Sunday, June 24

10:00 am First relay of field gun competition.

11:30 am Mortar competition.

1:00 pm Second relay of field gun competition.

2:00 pm Show closes. Exhibits and guns can be taken down at this time,
not before.

Entry Fees:
Field guns $30/gun
Mortars $15/mortar
Vendors $20/space
Exhibits FREE

Registration Deadline: June 9, 2007
Refunds if notified by June 16, 2007

Make Checks Payable to: Midwest Artillery Show
Address: Norm Gibson, PO Box 202, Richmond, Michigan 48062
Questions: ngibson@firstsouthcarolina.com

If you are coming from the Detroit area, take I-94 to Exit 266, turn right on Gratiot, turn left on Range Road; in about 1.8 miles turn left on Ravenswood, and the range
is about .4 miles on the right.

If you are coming from the Flint area, take I-69 to Exit 196, turn right on Wadhams Road, in about 3 miles turn left on Ravenswood. The range is about 1.7 miles on the left.

Look up a Map of 4866 Ravenswood Rd Kimball, MI on MapQuest

This show is open to all artillery enthusiast's, reenactors and skirmishers.
Invitations are now available.

Sponsored by:
Loomis Battery; 1st South Carolina, and 7th Wisconsin.

Contact:
Norm Gibson
PO Box 202
Richmond, MI. 48062
ngibson@firstsouthcarolina.com