I believe this is just one of the worst excuses for a reality show I've ever seen. It's supposed to be about a series of modern firearm, antique gun, edge weapons and military memorabilia auctions held throughout the western and southern states. No doubt that Sean Rich, the shows main "character" has some sort of expertise in his background as an antique arms dealer, but the way these auctions are held are a joke. I've been involved in collecting, trading, selling, studying and discussing antique and collecting antique firearms and accoutrements for over 40 years. I've never seen and heard such hog wash as uttered on this program. I've seen $25,000. antique guns change hands with barely the action's being opened, let alone taken to a range and fired or "Else it ain't worth nothing" as frequently verbalized on this show. Most antique gun collectors I've spoken to cringe at the idea of possibly hurting the value (or health or the shooter) of a valuable antique firearm. If an antique car doesn't start, you fix it. On this show, if an antique gun doesn't shoot, you throw it away. The same thing about swords "If it don't cut, it ain't no good" these words of wisdom come from the show's Santa like "edge weapons expert" evidently a talented professional knife maker who prefers to be called "Hammer". This expert doesn't know the difference between a Scottish Basket Hilt Sword and a Claymore. I wonder if this "expert" would toss into the garbage older Bob Loveless or William Scagel knives because they were no longer sharp? I've probably attended close a thousand gun shows, auctions, meets, expositions, etc over the years. While you do see attendees show up in various period dress, (costumes to some) it's usually because they are part of a reenacting group trying to attract members, I've never seen anyone show up at a gun auction dressed like that unless it was part of a display. The premise of the show is for different sellers to bring in 3 to 5 items for examination a couple of days before the auction for evaluation and "testing?". Everybody seems to have story about obtaining the item and how they want/need to make some money. One of the "experts" then makes the idiotic statement about "If it don't work, it's valueless" or such and then promises that if it doesn't make reserve, you pay nothing for our services (I'm sure the gun auction industry LOVES these words) and then Scott whines about the possibility of not making any money. The next scene is usually at the shooting range. No matter what state they're in the range they go to always looks pretty much the same, like the scenes are being shot from different angles. So be it. Same with the auction tent. While the opening scene of the show, show the same tent being erected, the inside always seems to look out upon the same tree lined parking lot, no matter what state they're in! The people on line and attending the auction look like they have been recruited for a boxed lunch and a ten dollar bill. I see no one taking notes, or holding reference books, there are never more than just a couple of guns or items on display. Real auctions are usually LOADED with merchandise. In fact, I saw the same display on more than one show! I finally tracked down Sean Rich's company's website called Tortuga Traders to find out more about these auctions and guess what, the auctions don't really exist. The auctions are a sham just like the show.
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