2011 HEARTLAND Friends of NRA Merchandise

The BANQUET & AUCTION will have a large variety of items for both ladies and men through multiple games, silent auction, drawing buckets and a live auction.  The items you’ll find in the this year's package are unique, custom, or limited-in-production, and in some cases, available only at Friends of NRA events.

GUN OF THE YEAR  "Colt 1911 Centennial Edition"

Following its success in trials, the Colt pistol was formally adopted by the army year 1911, thus gaining its designation as the Colt Model 1911. Later adopted by both the Navy and the Marine Corps in 1913, the high-demand for it during both World Wars undoubtedly led to its universal popularity today.

The Colt 1991TM Series is a direct descendant of the original 1911A1, and after more than nine decades, it’s still “The Standard” everyone else imitates, but no one duplicates. It serves as a staple of the United States Armed Forces and has become a symbol of military and freedom. In honor of its 100th Anniversary, Friends of NRA brings you the 2011 Friends of NRA Gun of the Year- a Colt Model 01991Z Government .45ACP with commemorative engraving illustrating every major war the Colt prevailed through.

The Colt letter logo and “2011 Gun of the Year” is featured in a 24kt selective gold fill on the right side of the firearm’s slide with sculpted roll engraving boasting a scrolling banner exhibiting the words “Military U.S. Standard” alongside the names of every major war including WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and War on Terror. On the left side, the rampant Colt horse and “Colt 1911 100 Years” is embellished in 24kt gold filling also with a sculpted roll engraving showcasing four military vehicles used throughout the wars.

Sporting a 5” barrel, carbon steel blued finish, 7+1 capacity, standard grip safety, spur hammer, and rosewood grips with an NRA monogram logo medallion, each of the Colt commemorative firearms is individually serialized “1911NRA0000” through “1911NRA1150” and encased in a Colt Blue Custom Shop box with white sleeve.

KNIFE OF THE YEAR  "Custom WR Case 2011 KOY Fixed Blade Knife"

with Second Amendment Display

To develop a truly distinctive 2011 Knife of the Year, Friends of NRA collaborated with premium cutlery manufacturer W.R. Case & Sons to produce a knife that is both a tried-and-true classic as well as an exclusive Friends of NRA collectible.

After a year of collaboration, the result was a stunning all American-made 6” fixed blade knife secured with a natural bone handle featuring the rounded NRA monogrammed logo on the left side of its handle and two-toned NRA Seal artwork with “2011 Friends of NRA Knife of the Year” lasered on the same-side of the blade. The top tang of each knife is individually stamped and sequentially numbered “0001 of 1150”.

Accompanying the 2011 Knife of the Year is the stunning solid American walnut-framed patriotic display spotlighting Patricia Pepin’s “Royal” eagle artwork alongside the American flag, “We the People” script and Second Amendment text which includes a magnet for the knife to stand on edge and rubber tract on which to rest the blade.

PRINT OF THE YEAR  "Unbearable Itch"

The widely-acclaimed and five-time Friends of NRA outdoor artist Dan Smith transports us to a rare moment in the wild with the 2011 Friends of NRA Print of the Year “Unbearable Itch”. Using his signature attention to detail, Smith depicts the powerful yet graceful grizzly as he delights in the simple pleasure of discovering the perfect scratching tree.

The 2011 Friends of NRA Print of the Year "Unbearable Itch" is sure to enchant outdoor and art lovers alike, as Smith brilliantly unifies the wholesome yet amusing scene with a picturesque mountain woods on a gray summer’s day.

“Grizzly bears exhibit numerous behaviors if you are patient and fortunate during observation,” said Smith. “The look of relief and satisfaction on this large boar’s face while scratching his back was irresistible.”

This limited edition giclee is on stretched canvas, printed with fade resistant inks and encompassed in a 2" coffee bean wood grain frame with Oatmeal linen liner. Measures approximately 20 1/2" x 25 1/2" with frame. This edition signed by the artist and sequentially numbered through 1,125. Printed and framed in the USA. Exclusive to the Friends of NRA program.