VENDOR SPOTLIGHT : RICK FORTE
GCMCAAS : When did you first get interested in militaria?
Rick: There’s a picture of me at 9 years old wearing a German helmet… I guess I was fascinated with history way back then! I went to my first gun show in 1959 and saw Lugers, Mausers and all sorts of edged weapons… it became a passion for me.

GCMCAAS : What do you specialize in?

Rick: I started collecting Imperial German and WWII militaria in high school, and feature a lot of that for sale. But also US and Japanese WWII items as well. I focused on quality and condition. 

GCMCAAS : How long have you attended this show?

Rick: I’ve been here since the very first Gulf Coast Military Collectors show. 

GCMCAAS : What do you like most about collecting and selling militaria? 

Rick : Learning about the history of the item from the veteran or family members of the seller.  It’s amazing and so interesting. You learn so much in this field. I guess you’d call me a “chronic collector”… 

Come visit with Rick and all the great vendors this Friday and Saturday at the Gulf Coast Military Collectors and Antique Arms show, Joppa Shriners Center, Biloxi MS!

GCMCAAS: How long have you been selling and collecting military antiques?
Steve: Selling about 30 years… collecting since I was just 10 years old.
GCMCAAS: What do you specialize in?
Steve: I specialize in Air Force patches, and current OEF patches.
GCMCAAS: How long have you attended the Gulf Coast Military collectors and Antique Arms show?
Steve: About 8 years… I did my first show here a couple of years after Hurricane Katrina.
GCMCAAS: What’s your favorite thing about collecting and selling militaria?
Steve: Learning about history. You meet such interesting people in this business!
Come see Steve and all the other great vendors this Friday and Saturday at the Gulf Coast Military Collectors and Antique Arms show, Joppa Shriners Center, Biloxi MS!