The New Jersey Arms Collector's Club Inc.

The Arms Collectors would like to publicly thank the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs for the use of their Cherry Ridge Range Facility, located near Vernon, NJ. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we could not hold this shoot without their greatly appreciated help.

On Saturday January 14, 2017 the New Jersey Arms Collectors Club (NJACC) sponsored its 20th annual Historical Winter Firearms Match in honor of the American men and women who endured the rigors of winter combat from Valley Forge to Korea and to allow participants to demonstrate their personal \ marksmanship skills using the relics of history.

Thirty six stouthearted military arms collectors, reenactors, weaponologists, and friends came from the hinterlands of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York to brave the early morning bone chilling sub-arctic like temperature of 19°F and coalesce at the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs' (ANJRPC) range at Highland Lakes, New Jersey for a day of friendly marksman competition and fine post match cuisine.

Match participants brought prized examples of the now collectable rifles used by soldiers in long ago winter war confrontations to compete for trophies and the chance to become world famous in New Jersey by being mentioned in this report. With the exception of three events requiring the use of scoped rifles, contest rules required shooters fire 10 rounds in 2 minutes at a standard SR21-C target placed at the 50 yard line. Targets for the scoped rifle contests were placed at the 100 yard line.

This year there were a total of twenty (20) events in the course of fire consisting of fourteen (14) military battle themed rifle contests along with six (6) additional matches specifically designed to test the participant's skill in the cold hand use of civilian target or hunting rifles in typical winter survival like conditions.

A quick tour of the benches disclosed participants brought a gun show-like assortment of U.S, British, German, Finnish, Russian, Swiss, Swedish, and Yugoslav military rifles along with a respectable collection of civilian hunting and target firearms including several fine replica Sharps model 1874 sporting rifles in 45-70.

The US was well represented by Springfields, Garands,and ARs. There were several very nice Swiss Schmidt Rubin straight pull rifles including a K31 carbine and a large assortment of .22 caliber rifles both civilian and military trainer models. One shooter brought a rare pre-war Simpson DSM34 .22 caliber rifle in excellent condition. These seldom seen German traing rifles closely resemble the venerable 98K and are highly prized among collectors There were also several of the superbly accurate Swedish model M96 and M38 Mausers seen on the line. For the aficionadoes of the exotic and funky there was a Mauser 98 carbine that has been converted to fire .45 ACP using 1911 Colt magazines. Ultra-cool even though it was not eligible to be used in any contest.

Dwayne P. shot as good as he looked in the Mountain Man contest. And special recognition goes to Glenn and Lizzy who were absolutely awesome in their authentic WWII US Army combat uniforms. Their appearance was one of the high points of the day.

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The match commenced more or less precisely at around 10:34A just in time to prevent glaciation from setting in. The matches were conducted under the sharp eyes and joint supervision of ANJRPC Range Safety Officers Cletis D., Cyrus M., and NJACC Shoot Chairman Stan G. NJACC's own mighty hunter Dave J. once again helped fortify shooters on the line by providing the best venison stew this side of Buttzville, NJ. Dave also provided hot coffee for those entrants needing a warm-up and break from the cold.

Deputy Shoot Chairman Steve S. once again provided the unheralded but extremely valuable service of registering participants and collecting their money. He also scored targets thereby expediting the end of match results tallying and the awards process.

The rifle events were followed by a hearty lunch prepared lovingly for the match participants in the club house by the NJACC's own Gourmand Tom P. standing in for NJACC Madam leChef Barbara F who was otherwise occupied. This year's near Michelin award winning menu featured traditional boiled military grade keilbasa and 100% pure beef hotdogs on buns, slathered with either warm and crusty chili or smothered in sauerkraut and mustard along with a helping of gourmet pork and beans, all washed down with the finest soda available and followed by a wholesome desert of assorted cakes and pie.

At the conclusion of this banquet , the winners of the rifle events were announced by Shoot Chairman Stan G. with some notable achievements.

High scores were the order of the of the day despite the frigid temperature. Top shooter was Greg M. who scored 100-7X in the Battle of the Bulge Bolt contest. He was followed closely by Dan S. in the Winter War contest with a 100-5X, Glenn in the Afghan Hills contest with a 100-3X, and Jay R. in the Alpine defense match also with a 100-3X. Dennis J. and Joe T. both scored 100 with Xs using .22s but unfortunately on targets that were incorrect for the match.

Andy G. won the Simo Haha Winter Sniper match with an "X" firing his supremely accurate scoped Mosin Nagant 91/30 sniper rifle.

The Cpt. Greist/1Lt. Haver Trophy was awarded to Isabel J. who used a S&W MP15-22 for the highest score by a female shooter by firing an impressive 97-1X and the Young Warrior contest for the highest score for a shooter under 18 years old.

Also worthy of note, Jay R. and Jeff A., were both the big winners of the day with two (2) trophies each.

The NJACC extends a big thank you to all match participants, ANJRPC range officials, and everyone else that came out and helped make the day a big success.

The next NJACC vintage military rifle match which is conducted under the aegis of the Shongum Sportsmen's Association will be held in March or April at the their range in Oxford NJ. A flyer with details will be posted on the NJACC website at www.njacc.info when the match details and logistics are finalized.