Since my last review of Petersunn's Antiques back in 2012, I've stopped in to see Terry many times. I've pretty much concentrated on his extensive knife collection, have purchased a number of them, have always felt welcome and that he really knows his stuff. We're also both from Northwest Iowa and both have family in Genoa. What I don't understand is 6 (at this writing) negative reviews complaining about rudeness. If what they mean is plain spoken, occasionally blunt, and sometimes doesn't suffer fools (or unsupervised kids), I consider that a plus. read more

He hasn't changed, still very rude. A one star is one too many! I have never been in a retail store that had that bad of customer service. He told three of us to leave his store in a rude tone of voice and that he was closing his doors in the middle of the day during the art festival. We weren't even in his store 2 minutes if that. He also commented to us that it was illegal to take pictures in a gun shop, pawn shops and casinos. We knew someone that was looking for something he had and wanted to share where it was. More business, that's what we thought he would want. Not sure about all the laws but I don't know he does either. A Pawn shop is on a TV show, young people always taking selfies in casinos, and pictures of his collections are on his website. read more

We visited from Las Vegas and decided to walk the area in Genoa. We walked in here because we love antiques and saw stuff we liked. The owner or whomever he was was rude. As if he had a group of people coming in irritated him. We had a few kids with us who knows better than to touch anything. He kept watching us as if we were going to steal something. Maybe it's because we were a mixed group of races that annoyed him but we decided to walk out because our presence was obviously not welcomed. We get it, we're not the "type" of people you want in the area. Maybe too Asian, Mexican, or mixed for you. Not saying the town is racist but that man sure made it seem like he is. As we exited he said very loud, "FUCKING ANNOYING KIDS." read more

There are some folks that should never have a storefront, and, this is one of them. Don't have a retail store with an open sign if you don't want to deal with people coming in and browsing. My wife and I were curious about this store as we haven't been in it from our assorted trips to Genoa. Basically, this is this guy's living room stuffed with his old guns and knives, and, you are the unwanted guest. Angry, rude, arrogant, combative, and, non-communicative (other than swearing), these are the nicer things I can say. Maybe a little bit of information about the guns or knives that would help sell them. But no, there's nothing. Just a seemingly angry guy who doesn't want to deal with people, especially if you are from out of state (we aren't). I guess he pays the rent from a few isolated clients, other than that, if you are having a good time in Genoa, stay away from here. read more

STAY AWAY! Went in, looked like a great place to buy old guns. I am not really a gun person, so told my wife to facetime her dad who is a gun collector, by the way, he lives in Florida. We told him it would be a cool place to being him as he said there was a lot he would buy. Granted the owner never greeted us, nor spoke when spoken to, he seemed to be at odds with what was going on, he was VERY insecure and fidgety. When i finally confronted him with the statement "you really have a lot of cool stuff", he stated, "yeah, but you are not suppose to be filming," in a super aggrssive, rude voice. I turned and stared at him, and he sunk back down in his deeb place as he did not want to confront me. I then told my wife to leave, and she proceeded to show him she was not filming, and he was super rude to her. Luckily for him, it was a calm day, but I held back my 6'4", 279 lb anger and did not re-enter the store. Dude, I really know karma is going to bite you hard one day. Good luck with it. Stay away from this place. read more

I have bought several things from Terry Petersunn over the years, and yes, being a native, he can be stand-off-ish to pushy Californians or people from other states trying to get away with buying something that he legally can not sell to them. Like my Grandfather, once you get past the crusty exterior, he is a peach of a guy. Fantastic store, crammed with all kinds of early Americana and with reasonable prices. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of early Americana, so just be interested and nice, then he will respond accordingly. Jeff B. Gardnerville, NV read more

Stopped in to check it out only to be verbally assaulted by the jerk behind the counter. I asked one too many questions. I was told not to come back and will gladly comply. Store is way overpriced with poor quality used guns. Owner could not provide basic information on guns and was angry when being questioned. A rip-off waiting to happen. read more

The proprietor is extremely rude. Came in to look with our kids and he asked us to leave. Apparently his store is "no place for kids, go somewhere else". Kids did not touch anything, but apparently we did not look like paying customers. read more

Found some 30-30 ammo here while on vacation recently and picked up a box for $15. Enjoyed chatting with the owner and looking around the store. Lots of guns, knives, boats, books and other neat items. Feel like we got a good deal on our purchase and would definitely return to look at his collection next time we're in town. read more

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Strolled in here while walking through town on a visit from the Hot Springs down the street. The owner was very friendly and informative, he has so many things in the store and an impressive collection of antique guns, ammo & knives. So much to look at and enjoy they history of these old items. Although I wasn't in the market at the moment I know where I would come now if I was to be looking for a nice little revolver to hide in my bra, garter or more realistically my purse. As soon as I get that concealed carry permit LOL There are some really cute ones and makes you wonder whose they were a hundred years ago and what they were used for. Very nice collection and a good place to stop while coming through town. read more

This store was very well taken care of with a lot of really interesting things. I almost bought something just for the sake of it but I really don't have a place to hang a curio rifle. I admit I would love to have a really old rifle over the fireplace at home, but I live in a very liberal East Bay town and the liberals aren't that liberal when it comes to seeing a gun hanging over a fireplace. Regardless the little boy in me had a ton of fun in there. Lots of antique items representing American and international history. Good job shop owner, good luck! read more

I really like this store and I really wanted to buy something because I like knives, swords, and guns but...they're antiques and you never really know what you're going to get with an antique. You may spend a few hundred dollars on an antique rifle only to discover it doesn't have much chance of working. Also, since they're antiques...they're really expensive. I walked in hoping to buy a good knife, but the cheapest knife I saw was about $40 for a tiny little folding knife. If you're into antique weapons, especially from WWII and the old west then this is definitely the place. Also, re-enactors could greatly benefit from going to this shop and I saw some nice old cowboy holsters that were decently priced. I spent a good amount of time in the store just enjoying it all and chatting with the owner as he was very friendly and helpful. read more

Haven't been there yet but sounds like my kind of place. Next time I go to Gardnerville will definitely stop by. Hey, I don't have a lot of tolerance for loud , unruly kids and yuppies from Ca trying to buy guns & ammo when they know full well its illegal there either. read more

This is not a store that you take kids into because of all the sharp objects on display. It is more for the serious gun or knife collector and he knows his values and prices. I have had some good deals and a few not so great but that is life and how you learn. I always stop by when I am in the area. I have seen kids that touch everything, and people asking prices rather than reading the price tags. Considering the prices on antiques knives and many things that can easily be slipped into pockets I understand him being careful. Genoa is basic Mormon founded, has a lot of motorcycle bikers coming through, and the only color I know him to be prejudiced towards is the green in your pocket. and with california's convoluted gun laws I am sure there are any number of people trying to buy something "under" the table. If you are a knife or gun collector the store is well worth going to and the Italian bakery on the other end has pasteries, drinks, and outside tables for the family. read more

What a pleasant surprise. We were on our way to Minden/Gardnerville to look at some gun shops and saw the sign to Genoa. And there it was "Antique Rifles". We spent most of the day in Genoa, and never made it elsewhere, including two stops at Petersunn Antiques. Purchased old collectible ammo both times. Owner friendly and knowledgeable--you won't steal anything, but his prices are good and fair. Can't wait to go back. read more