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| The Guns of the National Matches: A Century at Arms display was a showcase of historic items from past National Matches.
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A new CMP donations program could be just what you are looking for if you have guns, shooting equipment or shooting sports memorabilia that you no longer want or if you have shooting related items you would like to share with your fellow shooters, especially if you can receive a tax deduction for donating them.
In 2003 and 2004, the CMP cooperated with the Ohio Gun Collectors Association to put together a display of historical items of interest to National Match competitors and shooting sports enthusiasts. The highly acclaimed Guns of the National Matches: A Century at Arms display was shown at the 2003 Centennial National Matches, the 2004 NRA Convention in Pittsburgh and the Spring 2004 OGCA Show. The display succeeded because many people donated their time and property so it could benefit other shooters and the shooting sports through this exhibition.
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| Shooting jackets are an item that has evolved with the National Matches. This one, from a long-time Ohio shooter, displays patches from the 1930s to the
1960s.
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Perhaps the most unexpected and gratifying thing that came from this project was the willingness of shooters, collectors and competitors to donate their time, effort and collectibles. Many items actually had to be turned away because there was not enough display space available. When news of the display spread, many people stepped forward, eager to loan their treasured arms and marksmanship memorabilia. Some, in fact, donated these items to the CMP. And these were not just scattered instances. During the 2003 National Matches, it was an almost daily occurrence for someone to stop by CMP Headquarters with an old photograph, a box of ammunition with historic significance, a Camp Perry pennant or other valuable item of memorabilia.
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| A
Program from the 1953 National Champoinships. |
This experience and not infrequent inquiries that the CMP continues to receive from families with guns purchased from the Army’s DCM office that are no longer being used and who want to know if they could donate them back to the CMP generated an idea. Why not set up a formal program that allows individuals to donate guns or shooting sports memorabilia to the CMP? This program would be for shooters who bought M1 Garands or other rifles from the Army DCM Office or CMP in the past, but who no longer use or have a desire to keep those guns. It could also provide shooters with an opportunity to donate other significant shooting sports items like dad’s old collection of American Rifleman magazines or shooting sports books that are taking up room in the attic or an old shooting jacket with all its patches or old National Matches photographs.
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| Items such as old ammunition boxes, like this one from 1965, are colorful and important pieces of National Match history. |
If you have a rifle or other shooting sports memorabilia or publications that you would like to donate to the CMP, the CMP is interested. M1 Garand rifles and other firearms would be placed back into inventory and re-sold, or if they are of historical importance with provenance, they would be placed in the CMP collection for inclusion in a CMP museum that the CMP hopes to establish one day. Old photographs, shooting equipment and shooting publications would be used for display and educational purposes; they could also be made available for research purposes.
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| 1953 Ohio Team Highpower Patch
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The CMP is a federally-chartered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Any donations of money, rifles, parts, tools and other shooting-related equipment or memorabilia to the CMP are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Usually, the current value of a donated item can be deducted. The CMP will not appraise or place values on items donated to it; however, this must be done by the donor.
If you or someone you know is interested in donating a rifle or other items of interest to the CMP, please contact CMP Customer Service at (256) 835-8455 ext. 10 or email the CMP at custserve@odcmp.com. Let us know what you are interested in donating and we’ll let you know if it is something the CMP can use and give further instructions. |
