Meeting
Information
Meetings for 2008
January 13, 2008 Meeting
Announcement
For the January meeting, we are
privileged to have as a speaker one of the world's last great
traditional gunmakers, Mr. Alfred W. Gallifent. Mr. Gallifent has an
international reputation in his field, which is English Gunmaking, for
hand making what are known in the trade as "Best" guns. That is guns
which are of "London Made" quality. Mr. Gallifent works today in
Philadelphia, the American city traditionally most similar to London in
its reputation for quality.
Mr. Gallifent was apprenticed at the age of 14 to a Swiss gunmaker,
where he completed a 6 year traditional apprenticeship. Upon complete
of his apprenticeship, Mr. Gallifent moved to England, where he worked
for 14 years for some of the famous English gunmakers. Then, at age 34,
Mr. Gallifent moved to the US, and 4 years later he set up on his own
making guns in Philadelphia. That was nearly 25 years ago and today his
guns are, for those rare few who can afford them, most cherished of
possessions.
The meeting will follow the usual format, with dealer sales, followed by
a small auction at 11:45, and the speaker beginning between 12:30 and
12:45, depending on the length of the auction. Starting at 10:30, the
Hall will be open for dealers to set up inside. It is suggested that
dealers should wait until 10:30 and display inside, rather than braving
the January elements.
The meeting will be held on January 13th, 2008 at the American Legion Hall in McLean , VA.
Directions to the Meeting Hall -
A. The beltway from Maryland: Take exit 44 (VA Route 193, Georgetown Pike) Turn left at the traffic light and then take the first right after crossing the beltway onto Balls Hill Road. Go about 1.4 miles to the American Legion Post 270, 1355 Balls Hill Road. There is parking for about 30 cars on site.
B. Inside the beltway from the George Washington Parkway: Going north on the GW Parkway take the McLean Exit (Chain Bridge Road / Dolley Madison Blvd. VA 123) Proceed on the Dolley Madison Blvd. about 4 miles to Old Dominion. Go about 1/2 mile and turn left on Balls Hill Road, and follow about another 1/2 mile to 1355 Balls Hill Road.
C. The
beltway from Springfield, VA: Take Exit 46 (VA 123, Dolley Madison
Blvd.) Go about 1 and 1/2 miles to Lewinsville Road. Turn left onto
Lewinsville Road, then turn right onto Balls Hill Road. The American
Legion Post 270 will be on your right about 1/4 mile ahead.


