Maryland Arms Collectors Association

The Baltimore Antique Arms Show stands as one of the country's most respected gun collector events. Hosted annually by the Maryland Arms Collectors Association since 1955, the show has grown from a small gathering at the Belvedere Hotel to an institution attracting thousands of serious collectors from across the United States and foreign countries.

The 70th Annual Show runs March 21-22, 2026 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Cow Palace in Timonium, Maryland.

The show maintains strict rules to preserve its reputation:

• •C&R Firearms Allowed - Curio & Relic firearms permitted for sale and transfer
• •No Modern Handguns - Excluded from the show
• •No AR/AK/SKS Rifles or Parts - Not permitted for sale or transfer
• •No Maryland-Banned Weapons - Compliance with state law enforced

The Maryland Arms Collectors Association was founded in 1947 by a half-dozen antique arms enthusiasts who met informally on Baltimore's Howard Street. Benjamin Palmer hosted the first official meeting at his home, where the group drafted bylaws and a constitution. After years of monthly member meetings with guest speakers on collecting and history, they decided to host their first show in 1955.

The show "turned out to be a huge success" and has continued annually for seven decades, evolving from the Belvedere Hotel (1955) to the Lord Baltimore Hotel, then the 5th Regiment Armory (1964-1989), Baltimore Convention Center, and finally the Cow Palace at Timonium Fairgrounds (1993-present).

The armory era (1964-1989) particularly built the club's reputation for running a superior quality show with strict rules enforced by a well-organized committee. This period established the Baltimore Show as the "must attend" event of the gun collector year.

The Maryland Arms Collectors Association continues its founding mission: "In recognition of the need for concerted effort in aid of those interested in the collection, preservation, use and study of arms, both modern and antique."

Membership benefits include:

• •Monthly meetings with presentations by experts in arms and military history
• •Camaraderie with fellow collectors
• •Organized trips to museums and historic sites
• •Social events
• •Access to the annual Baltimore Show

• •Important: Attendance at five (5) meetings per year is mandatory for membership. Members should live within convenient driving distance of Baltimore. Interested collectors can attend a trial meeting by being the guest of a current member or by emailing [email protected].

• •Address: Maryland State Fairgrounds Cow Palace, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093

From Washington, DC: 1. Take the most direct route to Baltimore Beltway (I-695) 2. Head west around Baltimore 3. Exit at Exit 24, head north on I-83 toward York, PA 4. Take Exit 16A East (Timonium Road) 5. Head east through one traffic light (Deerco Rd) 6. Cross the Light Rail grade crossing 7. Turn left into State Fair Grounds

From Padonia Road (Exit 17 East): 1. Head east through 3 traffic lights 2. Turn right at the third light (York Road) 3. Follow York Road uphill—Maryland State Fairgrounds on your right 4. Or use Park and Ride lot off Deerco Road and cross through Light Rail station

Timonium offers access to significant historical sites and museums:

• •Harpers Ferry - Historic revolutionary site
• •Antietam Battlefield - Civil War historic location
• •Fort McHenry - Home of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
• •National Firearms Museum - Smithsonian Institution
• •5th Regiment Armory Museum - Former Baltimore Show venue
• •Baltimore Maritime Museum
• •Gettysburg National Park
• •US Naval Academy Museum

Multiple lodging options within driving distance:

• •Courtyard by Marriott (Exit 20, I-83)
• •Embassy Suites Hotel (Exit 20, I-83)
• •Holiday Inn Timonium (9615 Deereco Rd)
• •Radisson Hotel Timonium (2004 Greenspring Dr)
• •Hampton Inn (11 Texas Station Ct)
• •Hunt Valley Inn (Exit 20, I-83)
• •Days Inn Towson (Exit 29-B, I-695)

Ask about show discounts when booking.

• •Email: [email protected]
• •Membership: [email protected]
• •Mailing Address: M.A.C.A Inc., 9603 Deerco Rd. #446, Lutherville/Timonium, MD 21094
• •Social Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Baltimore Antique Arms Show is documented in detail in Keeping Arms: The History of the Maryland Arms Collectors' Association and the Baltimore Show by Lawrence J. Bopp, available on Amazon.