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!
