47th Annual Southeastern Civil War and Antique Gun Show
Originally published November-December 2025 · pp. 14–15
The North Georgia Relic Hunters Association held its 47th Annual Southeastern Civil War and Antique Gun Show on August 9-10, 2025. The show was held at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta, Georgia, located just off the Marietta Square. After several days of hot temperatures and rainy days, the weather cleared up, and we had a near-perfect weekend of no rain and moderate temperatures. As a special tribute to those who have served our country and community, military personnel, veterans, and first responders were given free admission to the show. Proceeds from the show help to support the club’s yearly operation and their yearly charity donations (made to organizations such as the Marietta Confederate Cemetery, Marietta Parks and Recreation, Cavalry Children’s Home, Wreaths Across America, just to name a few. There was a line of folks waiting to get into the show on Saturday, when we opened the doors at 9 a.m. As people arrived at the show on Saturday, they were greeted by a band playing Civil War-period music for the enjoyment of those at the event.
Dealers (from around the country) had a variety of items for sale, and while the list of all items at the show is immense, they included dug relics, guns and swords, Civil War-related books, frameable prints, metal detectors, artillery items, old currency, military accessories, prints, and a host of other items. While the show is held near Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, items from dozens of Civil War sites around the country were available for purchase. Noted appraiser John Sexton was at the show to provide free appraisals. Attendees were allowed to bring in their items for identification and to learn more about the artifacts. Organizations such as the Cobb County Civil War Round Table, Sons of Confederate Veterans—Hardy Camp, and Marietta Confederate Cemetery also set up at the show, providing information about their respective organizations. Although the show covered items up to and including World War II, the main theme of the show related to the American Civil War. Antique firearms (rifles up to WWII and pistols up to 1898) were also displayed at the show, along with period military uniforms and equipment.
View of the show from the upper level of the Cobb County Civic Center.
In talking with dealers at the show, they reported that it was a great show and that they did very well with selling— and in many cases buying items. Many said they had outstanding sales.
A number of awards were given at the show: D Most Educational Award went to David Goff for his display of “U.S. Army Handguns 1861–1865.” D Best of Show Award went to Scott Riddle for his outstanding display of Confederate buckles and buttons. Many of the displayed items were related to the Georgia Military Institute (GMI), which was located in Marietta, less than one mile from the show location. D Judges’ Award went to Robert Bohrn and Connie Brailsford for their display on Potters Raid. D Bobby Westbrook Award went to Roy Baker and Stan Wills for their extensive display of Civil War artifacts (including Union and Confederate buckles, buttons, and artillery shells) that they have metal-detected, mainly in Georgia. Hourly door prizes were also given out to folks who came to the show, which consisted of Civil War books and relics found in the vicinity of Kennesaw Mountain (found off the park on private property with the approval of the owner of the property). There was also a “treasure box” where children under 12 could pick out a free prize, including shark teeth, arrowheads, bullets, shell fragments, books, and other similar prizes. A show raffle was also held, for a wooden display case containing eagle buttons, eagle breastplate, US cartridge box plate, dropped .58 caliber bullets, Confederate note, gun tool, bayonet scabbard tip, and a spur. Overall, everyone (dealers and participants) reported that they felt that the show was a great success. Overall attendance was good (an increase compared to last year), and all had a good time just spending time with fellow enthusiasts and the dealers we generally only see at this and other related relic shows. For more information about the North Georgia Relic Hunters Association and their annual show, visit the club’s website at www.ngrha.com or on the club’s Facebook page titled “North Georgia Relic Hunters Association,” which is
open to the public. North Georgia Relic Hunters present the 48th Annual Southeastern Civil War and Antique Firearms Show and Sell on Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the Cobb County Civic Center.
Scott Riddle’s Best of Show display of Confederate buckles and buttons.
Stan Wills and Roy Baker with their Bobby Westbrook Award.
David Goff poses with his display of “U.S. Army Handguns 1861–1865.”
The N-SSA is America’s oldest and largest Civil War shooting sports organization. Competitors shoot original or approved reproduction muskets, carbines and revolvers at breakable targets in a timed match. Some units even compete with cannons and mortars. Each team represents a specific Civil War regiment or unit and wears the uniform they wore over 160 years ago. Dedicated to preserving our history, period firearms competition and the camaraderie of team sports with friends and family, the N-SSA may be just right for you.
For more information visit us online at www.n-ssa.org.
Photographs from the Original Article
Captions and credits appear in the article text as originally printed.