Alaska Traveler

50th Anniversary Commemoratives

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Some people are collectors by nature. Others amass items that just have special meaning to them. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Alaska's Statehood and some fishing and hunting gear manufacturers are celebrating with fine collector's items available for purchase by Alaskan outdoor enthusiasts. And since most Alaskans and Alaska visitors are indeed Alaska enthusiasts, you better hurry up and get your commemorative gear before retailers sell out!

Marlin is offering a special 50th Anniversary Statehood edition of a 45-70 caliber rifle with an 18.5-inch Octagon barrel and a full-length magazine tube. There are only 300 of this limited production rifle. The gun is high polished blue with 24K gold scrolling with engraved Alaska scenes throughout including a gold panner, the Alaska flag, a grizzly bear and Mt. McKinley background, and a dog sled team. 50th Anniversary Statehood and 1 of 300 are inscripted on the barrel. There is a statehood anniversary medallion that is inlaid into the butt stock. (A souvenir coin is also available with the State of Alaska on one side and the same grizzly bear/McKinley scene from the rifle on the other side.)The rifle has an exclusive custom configuration "Cowboy Carbine" that has not been produced by Marlin prior to this special anniversary item. Arguably a 45-70 is one of the best all-around rifles for Alaska. You can see the rifle in person at your favorite Alaska gun dealer.

Another truly stunning collector's item for the state's anniversary is the Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Magnum Revolver. Interestingly it is also the 50th anniversary for Ruger's Super Blackhawk. The gun has a high polished blue barrel that is 4L inches long. There is a 24K gold hammer and trigger, plus scrollwork and Alaska scenes also in 24K. "Alaska Statehood 50th Anniversary" and "1 of 500" are engraved in the barrel. These beauties are a limited production version with serial numbers 1-500. Go to a local gun dealer and hold one, you'll just have to buy it when they are available in early 2009.

Lamiglas is offering a commemorative 50th Anniversary salmon rod that is an 8H-foot 3-piece travel rod that comes in various weights. These are also limited edition and each serial number is unique. This baitcasting rod is pretty similar to the Kenai Special, Alaska's best-selling Lamiglas rod. It features moderate to fast action and is rated for a 12-25 line class. It's a great choice for silvers, sockeye, trout and more! The State's official 50th Anniversary logo appear on both the rod and the case. Retailing at $199, the Lamiglas commemorative rod is available at Fred Meyer and Wal-mart.

Tica has produced a new Alaskan series 50 Years of Statehood commemorative reel that came out in 2008. The reel, available in both right and left hand versions, is colored in Tica's bright colbalt blue with silver accents and has the state of Alaska and "50 Years of Statehood for the Last Frontier" inscribed on the palming sideplate. With eight stainless steel ball bearings and one roller bearing, the Alaskan series reel from Tica has a beefed-up clutch, gearing, drags and power handle. A neoprene reel cover comes with it. For $149 you can pick it up at your favorite Alaskan tackle shop.

The Alaska Mint has created three types of 50th Anniversary medallions. They all feature the same design but are done in different metals. On one side an image taken from a photograph showing President Eisenhower along with Alaska's Territorial Governor Mike Stepovich and Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton holding a copy of our local paper proclaiming "We're In." The reverse side shows the State's official 50th Anniversary logo. The medallions come in 1-ounce fine silver for $74.99, 1-ounce bronze for $19.99, and 1-ounce fine silver with 24k gold relief for $99.99. You can get a set of the three medallions for $194.99 at www.alaskamint .com. A solid 24k .9999 gold medallion is also available upon request.

In addition to these fine commemorative pieces for people of the outdoors, Alaska is boasting some other really breathtaking pieces like Alaska's 50th Anniversary Governors' Print, the first document in Alaska history to be signed by 8 out of 10 governors since statehood. "Legacy of Alaska" is a limited edition of 950 gicleŽ prints taken from a painting by famous master artist Sydney Laurence depicting Mt. McKinley.Contact Artique LTD at 907-277-1663 to obtain one.

Finally, there is a US postage stamp coming out this year honoring Alaska's anniversary as well. The stamp shows a dog sledding team across Alaska's tundra with a beautiful snowy mountain background. Ask for it at your local post office.

Whatever you decide to purchase in honor of this special occasion for Alaska, we hope it reminds you how wonderful it is to be an Alaskan and an American.