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Enjoy this 7 page Firearms Museums Guide.

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Courtesy of Higgins Armory Museum

Courtesy of Higgins Armory Museum

Museum
Road Trip Edition
PAGE 1

FIREARMS-RELATED MUSEUMS IN THE U.S.A.


This guide includes museums that members of Buffalo Bill Historical Center (6), A com- Dan Hardesty's Wild West Museum (84)
The Ohio Gun Collectors Association felt would plex of museums of western art, firearms, Western Memorabilia, Civil War and Indian
be of interest to fellow members. It has been and Native American culture. Includes Artifacts 1280 Franklin Ave. Franklin, PA
compiled and updated from your suggestions Cody Firearms Museum – see below. 720 16323; (814) 432-8577
submitted over recent years. You will find the Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414; Ph: (307)
list alphabetically, below, and by state, along 587-4771 Davis Museum, see J.M. Davis Arms
with a map on pages 8-9. Museum (27)
C. M. Russell Museum (7), Features
Be sure to call ahead to check hours and any Browning family collection as well as varied First Corps of Cadets Museum (15),
special exhibits or programs. For research pur- examples of 18th and 19th Century fire- Houses the artifacts that promote the
poses, some museums will allow access to items arms including a number of British double history of the Oldest Continuously Active
in storage with advance arrangements. rifles. 400 13th Street North, Great Falls, Volunteer Militia Unit of the United States
MT 59401; Ph: (406) 727-8787, Fax: (406) and still serves our country after 267 years.
The guide will become a part of our website, 727-2402 227 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA
www.ogca.com, so please keep your updates 02116; Ph: (617) 267-1726
and additions coming. (Undoubtedly, there will Chickamauga-Chattanooga National
be additions and modifications.) In addition, Military Park (8), Claude Fuller collection Fort Ticonderoga (17), One of the nation’s
more and more museums offer the ability to of U.S. martial arms. P.O. Box 2128, Fort oldest museums and boasts the largest
“walk-through” their collections on-line, and Oglethorpe, GA 30742; Ph: (706) 866- cannon collection in North America and
we will provide links to web addresses wherever 9241, Fax: (423) 752-5215; www.nps. powder horn collection. P.O. Box 390, Ti-
possible. gov/chch/index.htm conderoga, NY 12883; (518) 585-2821

This list is limited to museums within the United Cody Firearms Museum (9), One of the Frank Brownell Museum of the South-
States. We also seek your recommendations most comprehensive collections of Ameri- west at the NRA’s Whittington Center
for museums outside the U.S.A. for a future can firearms in the world. The heart of the (83) Highlights 130 firearms that contrib-
reference list. museum is The Winchester Collection, but uted to the exploration and development
virtually every significant manufacturer in of the southwest. NRA Whittington Center
The Aberdeen Museum of History (1), the world is represented. Offers records P.O. Box 700, Raton, NM 87740; (575)
Exhibits include a Blacksmith’s shop. 111 service for collectors. Located in the Buf- 445-3615; info@nrawc.org
East Third St., Aberdeen, Washington falo Bill Historical Center, 720 Sheridan
98520; Ph: (360) 533-1976; www.aber- Avenue, Cody, WY 82414; Ph: (307) 578- Frazier Historical Arms Museum (18),
deen-museum.org 4117; www.bbhc.org/firearms 100,000 sq. ft. newer museum featuring
a permanent collection of wide variety of
Arizona State Museum (2), Includes Na- Colonial Williamsburg (10), A recreated fine American arms, the magnificent British
tive American historical weapons and a few colonial town – lots of walking. Military and Royal Armouries exhibition on long-term
artifacts of Pancho Villa-era National Guard civilian firearms from the 17th and 18th loan, plus period reenactments. 829 W.
deployment. 1013 E. University Blvd., centuries. Traces the continued on next page
P.O. Box 210026 Tucson, AZ 85721-0026; evolution of the stan-
Ph: (520) 621-6302; www.statemuseum. dard British infantry
arizona.edu. musket pre-1800. P.O.
Box 1776, Williams-
Army Heritage Center (3), Centerpiece of burg, VA 23187-1776;
the Army’s Historical Program and a major Ph: (757) 229-1000;
component of the U.S. Army War College at www.history.org/his-
Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. P.O. Box tory/museums
839, Carlisle, PA 17013; Ph: (866) ARMY-
HTG; www.armyheritage.org Colorado Historical
Society (11), Large
The Art Institute of Chicago (4), The firearms collection al-
George F. Harding, Jr. Collection of Arms though much of it in
and Armor. 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chi- storage. 1300 Broad-
cago, IL 60603-6110; Ph: (312) 443-3642; way, Denver, CO 80203;
www.artic.edu Ph: (303) 866-6822

Baltimore Maritime Museum (5), One of Colorado Springs Pio-


the most impressive collections of military neer Museum (12),
vessels in the world. Piers 3 & 5 Baltimore Large Civil War Fire-
Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD 21202; Ph: arms Collection, 215
(410) 396-3453; www.baltomaritimemu- South Tejon St., Colora-
seum.org do Springs, CO 80903;
Ph: (719) 385-5990 Courtesy of the Frazier Historical Arms Museum
PAGE 2
Continued from prior page states of preservation. 333 Lynn Riggs
Main St., Louisville, KY 40202; Ph: (502) Blvd., (U.S. Route 66), Claremore, OK
753-5663; www.frazierarmsmuseum.org 74018; Ph: (918) 341-5707; www.state.
ok.us/~jmdavis/
Frontier Army Museum (19), Focuses on
Fort Leavenworth’s role in westward expan- Jim Gatchell Museum (28), 200 his-
sion, exhibiting one of the finest collections toric guns from all the major gun makers.
of horse-drawn military carriages in the Closed in winter. 100 Fort St., P.O. Box 596,
nation, including a 1790 prairie schooner. Buffalo, WY 82834; Ph: (307) 684-9331;
100 Reynolds Ave., Fort Leavenworth, KS www.jimgatchell.com
66027; Ph: (913) 684-3186
John M. Browning Firearms Museum
(29), Original models of firearms designed Courtesy of the National Firearms
Gene Autry Museum of Western Heri- Museum
tage (20), Exhibits many historic guns once by John M. Browning are displayed. 2501
owned by individuals well known in western Wall Ave., Ogden, UT 84401; Ph: (801) Missouri History Museum (35), From
history such as outlaw Frank James and 393-9886 Lindbergh’s plane, William Clark and the
others. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Civil War. 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO
Kansas Museum of History (30), Includes
Angeles, CA 90027-1462; Ph: (323) 667- 63112-0040. Ph: (314) 361-4599; www.
a Civil War Museum, 6425 SW Sixth Ave.,
2000; www.autrynationalcenter.org mohistory.com
Topeka, KS 66615-1099; Ph: (785) 272-
General George Patton Museum (21), 8681 Missouri State Museum (36), One of the
Largest collection of Patton artifacts in highlights of this collection is over 125
Kentucky Military History Museum (31),
the world, including personal items used Missouri Civil War battle flags. Jefferson
Emphasizes the service of the Kentucky
by General Patton throughout his life and St. and Capital Ave., Jefferson City, MO
Militia, State Guard, and other volunteer
an Armor Memorial Park. 4554 Fayette 656101; Ph: (573) 751-2854
military organizations from the Revolution
Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40121-0208 Ph:
through the Gulf War. 100 W. Broadway, Montana Historical Society (37), Over
(502) 624-3812
Frankfort, KY 40601; Ph: (502) 564-1792, 1,000 firearms, P.O. Box 201201, 225
Gettysburg National Military Park (22), (877) 444-7867; email: KHS@ky.gov North Roberts, Helena, MT 59620-1201;
National Park Service museum exhibits an Ph: (406) 444-2694; email: mhslibrary@
Maine State Museum (32), State House
outstanding collection of Civil War era mar- mt.gov
Station 83, Augusta, ME 04333; Ph: (207)
tial arms, both Union and Confederate. 97
287-2301; www.maine.gov/museum/index. Morristown National Historic Park (38),
Taneytown RD, Gettysburg, PA 17325; Ph:
html Revolutionary War Arms, 30 Washington
(717) 334-1124, Fax: (717) 334-1891
Place, Morristown, NJ 07960-4299; Ph:
Metropolitan Museum of Art (33), Several
Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS (23), Historic site (908) 766-8215; www.nps.gov/morr
exceptional firearms including Colt Third
provides an understanding of the frontier
Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver, ca. Motts Military Museum, Inc. (39), Founded
cattle era of the Nation’s history. Hdq. 266
1853 gifted by George Repaire that was by Life member Warren Motts, this museum
Warren Lane, Deer Lodge, MT 59722; Ph:
once part of the Locke collection. 5th is dedicated to preserving the memory of all
(406) 846-2070, ext. 224; Visitor Center;
Avenue at 82nd Street, New York City, NY individuals that served in the United States
(406) 846-2070, ext. 250, Fax: (406) 846-
10028; Ph: (212) 879-5500, Ext. 3396; Military. 5075 South Hamilton Rd., Grove-
3962
www.metmuseum.org. port OH, 43125-9336; Ph: (614) 836-1500;
Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org
Milwaukee Public Museum Reference Li-
(24), Extensive museum including a Civil
brary, See Nunnemacher Collection (34). Mountain Post Museum (40), The Moun-
War museum. P.O. Box 65, Harper’s Ferry,
WV 25425; (304) 535-6029 tain Post Historical Center honors the his-
tory of brave soldiers, past, present and
Higgins Armory Museum (25), With 5,000 future. Check for opening. Fort Carson,
objects on 4 floors, it is the only institution CO 80913; Ph: (303) 579-2908
in the Northeast dedicated to the collection,
preservation, exhibition, and interpretation Museum of Connecticut History at The
of arms and armor. 100 Barber Avenue, Connecticut State Library (13), The
Worcester, MA 01606-2444; (508) 853- Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Com-
6015; www.higgins.org pany Collection. 213 Capitol Ave, Hartford,
CT 06106; Ph: (860) 757-6535, Fax: (860)
Huntington Museum of Art (80) Includes 757-6533
an entire wing on the Herman P. Dean
Firearms Collection parts of which have
been on special exhibit at OGCA in recent Continued
years. 2033 McCoy RD., Huntington WV
25701; (304) 529-2701
Museum
J. M. Davis Arms Museum (27), Extensive Courtesy Springfield Armory Road Trip Guide
copyright James Lagone Pages 8-9
and eclectic collection of guns in varying
Mus
Road Tr
Arizona Missouri
Arizona State Museum (2) Missouri History Museum (35)
Arkansas Missouri State Museum (36)
Saunders Memorial Museum (62) Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks (81)
California Montana
Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage (20) C.M. Russell Museum (7)
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS (23)
County (45) Montana Historical Society (37)
Colorado Nebraska
Colorado Historical Society (11) Museum of Nebraska History (41)
Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum (12) Museum of the Fur Trade (42)
Mountain Post Museum (40)
Connecticut
The Museum of Connecticut History at The
Connecticut State Library (13) 7
1
District of Columbia
National Museum of American History (Smith-
23
sonian Institution) (46)
Naval Historical Center (50) 37
Saunders Memorial Museum (62)
Georgia
Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military
Park (8) 9
6
National Civil War Naval Museum (82) 28
Illinois
The Art Institute of Chicago (4)
Pritzker Military Library (58) 42
Rock Island Arsenal Museum (60)
29
Kansas 78
Frontier Army Museum (19) 57 71 54
Kansas Museum of History (30) 51

U.S. Cavalry Museum (69)


11
Kentucky
Frazier Historical Arms Museum (18)
12
General George Patton Museum (21) 40
Kentucky Military History Museum (31)
Maine
Maine State Museum (32) 83
Maryland
Baltimore Maritime Museum (5) 20
55
U.S. Army Ordinance Museum (70) 45

Massachusetts 56

First Corps of Cadets Museum (15)


18 18
Higgins Armory Museum (25) 61
Museum of Springfield History at The Spring- Nevada 2
field Museums (85) Nevada State Museum (51) 75
Smith & Wesson Museum (63) New Jersey
Springfield Armory National Historic Site (64) Morristown National Historic Park (38)
New Mexico
Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest (83)
Roswell Museum and Art Center (61)
Palace of the Governors (55)
White Sands Missile Range (75)
Special Note: Ontario, Canada member,
New York Frank Grant owns a museum 60 miles
Fort Ticonderoga (17) north of Buffalo, The Canadian Military
Metropolitan Museum of Art (33) Studies Museum. (Send your recommenda-
Watervliet Arsenal Museum (73) tions for other international museums for a
Courtesy of Higgins Armory Museum future edition. )
West Point Museum (74)
seum
rip Guide Texas
North Carolina
Remington Arms Co. Museum (59) Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (56)
Ohio Texas Memorial Museum (66)
Motts Military Museum, Inc. (39) Texas Military Forces Museum (67)
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (48) Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum (68)
Ohio Historical Society (53) Utah
Warther Museum (77) John M. Browning Memorial Museum (29)
Oklahoma Pioneer Memorial Museum (57)
J.M. Davis Arms Museum (27)
National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western
Heritage Center (43)
Woolaroc Museum (76)
Pennsylvania
Dan Hardesty's Wild West Museum (84)
Gettysburg National Military Park (22)
Army Heritage Center (3)
32

17

73
15
63 25
64 85
Courtesy Frazier
13
Arms Museum

52 33
84 38
4 3 Virginia
58
22 70 74 Colonial Williamsburg (10)
60 77
2446 5
National Firearms Museum (44)
48 53 National Museum of Marine Corps (47)
41 39 79 62 10
50 U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum (72)
47
Washington
80
19 72 The Aberdeen Museum of History (1)
69 30
36 35 18 Washington D.C.
31
21 Smithsonian Institute (79)
59
West Virginia
Harper's Ferry Nt'l Historical Park (24)
76 81
27
Huntington Museum of Art (80)
62 Wisconsin
43 8 Milwaukee Public Museum Reference
Library (Nunnemacher Collection) (52)
Wyoming
Cody Firearms Museum/Buffalo Bill
82 Historic Center (9)
Jim Gatchell Museum (28)
Old West Museum (54)
68 Union Pacific Historical Museum (71)
Wyoming State Museum (78)
67
66

Courtesy of the
Cody Firearms Museum Samuel Hawken half
stock percussion rifle, .59 caliber, 1849 - 1859.
Buffalo Bill Historical Center Cody, WY.
Gift of William B. Ruger, Sr. and Sturm, Ruger
and Company. 1997.4.12 Courtesy of National Firearms Museum
Museums (Continued from pg. 7) (Part of the Smithsonian Institution)
(46), 14th Street and Constitution Avenue,
Museum of Nebraska History (41), Large
Washington, D.C. 20560; Ph: (202) 633-
collection in storage, only portion on exhi-
3950; www.americanhistory.si.edu; Courtesy of Frazier
bition. P.O. Box 82554, Lincoln NE 68508;
Historical Arms Museum
Ph: (402) 417-4754 or 800-833-6747; National Museum of the Marine Corps
email: educate@nshs.state.ne.us (47), More than just tanks, aircraft, landing Ohio Historical Society (53), Main mu-
craft, weapons, and uniforms. 18900 Jef- seum located in Columbus with 50 historic
Museum of the Fur Trade (42), Closed in
ferson Davis Hwy., Triangle, VA 22172; Ph: sites and museums throughoutthe state.
winter but exhibits an outstanding array of
(877) 635-1775; www.usmcmuseum.org Some sites are closed/seasonal due to
artifacts related to the fur trade including
lack of funds. Firearms collection includes
Northwest trade guns and others. 6321 National Museum of the U.S. Air Force the engraved Cecil Brooks flintlock rifle
Hwy. 20, Chadron, NE 69337; Ph: (308) (48), Military aviation history, 400+ aero- from OGCA. 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus,
432-3843; www.furtrade.org space vehicles, along with thousands of OH 43211; Ph: (614) 297-2300 / (800)
historical items and exhibits that bring his- 686-6124; www.ohiohistory.org
Museum of Springfield History at
tory to life and connect the Wright brothers’
The Springfield Museums (85),
legacy with today’s stealth and precision Old West Museum (54), Showcases the
"Gun Making in the Valley" Collection; 21
technology. 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Pat- spirit of the American West and preserves
Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103; Ph.
terson AFB, OH 45433; Ph: (937) 255- the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days.
(800) 625-7738; springfieldmuseums.org
3286; www.nationalmuseum.af.mil 4610 Carey Ave., P.O. Box 2720, Chey-
National Cowboy Hall of Fame and enne, WY 82003; Ph: (307) 778-7290
Naval Historical Center (50), Anything
Western Heritage Center (43), Houses
about the navy you would want to know. Palace of the Governors (55), Collection
805 Kidder Breese St. SE, Washington highlights Rough Riders, Pancho Villa and
Navy Yard, D.C. 20374-5060 Santa Fe Trail naming a few. 105 W. Pal-
ace Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87504-2087; Ph:
Nevada State Museum (51), Call for new (505) 476-5100, Fax: (505) 476-5104
museum opening. 600 N. Carson St.,
Carson City, NV 89701-4004; Ph: (775) Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
687-4810, Fax: (775) 687-4333 (56), Whole wing devoted to all kinds
of firearms. 2503 4th Ave., Canyon, TX
Nunnemacher Collection of Firearms 79015; Ph: (806) 651-2244
(52), Extensive American, European and
Asian culture and technological collections Pioneer Memorial Museum (57), The
Courtesy of the
Saunders Memorial Museum
with a focus on firearms technology. Lo- museum basement houses an assortment
cated at Milwaukee Public Museum Refer- of swords, guns, military apparel. 300 N.
ence Library, 800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, Main St., Salt Lake City, UT.
the Weitzenhoffer Gallery of Fine American WI 53233-1478; Ph: (414) 278-2728
Firearms. 1700 N.E. 63rd St., Oklahoma,
OK 73111; Ph: (405) 478-2250 Continued

National Firearms Museum (44), Ex-


tensive National Rifle Assn. museum of
both antique and modern arms. 11250
Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; Ph:
(703) 267-1600

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles


County (45), Hall of California History
covers roughly four centuries of human
history from 1540 to 1940 and spans
the geographic area that is presently the
United States Southwest. 900 Exposition
Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90007; Ph: (213)
763-3466

National Civil War Naval Museum (82)


40,000-square-foot facility that features
two original Civil War military vessels,
uniforms, equipment and weapons. 1002
Victory Dr., Columbus, GA 31901 (706)
327 9798 www.portcolumbus.org

National Museum of American History


Courtesy of the National Firearms Museum
Museums (Continued from pg. 10)
Museum
Pritzker Military Library (58), The incred-
Armory
ible story of the Citizen Soldier in American
History. 610 N. Fairbanks Court, 2nd Floor, Historic Site

National
Chicago, IL 60611 Treasure
Learning Center

Ralph Foster Museum at College of the


Ozarks (81) Large Firearm Collection at !
museum dedicated to preserving Ozark
history. P O Box 17, Point Lookout, MO
65726 (417) 334-6411 ext. 3407 www. See "Road Trip Guide" Pages 8-9
rfostermuseum.com Springfield Armory National Historic
Site (64), Major exhibit of U.S. military
Remington Arms Co. Museum (59), arms. Much more in storage. One Ar- Courtesy of the National Firearms Museum
Open only in summer but displays ex- mory Square, Suite 2, Springfield, MA
amples of most models of guns made in 01105-1299 one-of-a-kind guns from the past 400
the firm’s 189-year history. 870 Reming- years. One Buffington St., Watervliet, NY
ton Drive, P.O. Box 700, Madison, NC Texas Military Forces Museum (67), 12189-4003; Ph: (518) 266-5111
27025-0700 Presents the history of the Texas Military
from the Texas Revolution to the present. West Point Museum (74), Largest of its
Rock Island Arsenal Museum (60), Sec- 2200 W. 35th St., Austin, TX 78703-1222; kind in the United States. Featured galler-
ond Oldest US Army Museum. Many out- (512) 782-5659 ies: large weapons, small weapons, West
door military displays. The only U.S. Army Point, history of warfare, history of United
facility that assembles tool sets, kits, and Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum States Army, and American wars. U.S.
outfits that support equipment in the field. (68), Texas Ranger Artifacts & Exhibits. I- Military Academy, 2110 S. Post Rd., West
Still makes mounts, recoil mechanisms, 35 and University Parks Dr., Waco, TX Point, NY 10996; Ph: (914) 938-2203
artillery carriages, and other combat equip- 76702-2570; Ph: (254) 750-8631
ment.) ATTN: AMSTA-RI-CF, Rock Island, White Sands Missile Range Museum
IL 61299-5000; Ph: (309) 782-5021; Fax: U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum (72), (75), Outside the museum is a missile
(309) 782-3598 The firearm collection is a good represen- park displaying a variety of missiles and
tation of the evolution of firing systems rockets tested at White Sands. WSMR,
Roswell Museum and Art Center (61), used by the American Army since 1775. NM 88002; Ph: (575) 678-2121
Excellent exhibit of firearms as well as 1201 22nd St., Fort Lee, VA 23801-1601;
Native American artifacts. 100 W. Elev- Ph: (804) 734-4203 Woolaroc Museum (76), Features famed
enth St., Roswell, NM 88201; Ph: (505) Phillips collection of Colts including numer-
624-6722 U.S. Cavalry Museum (69), Chronicles ous Patersons. Rt. 3, Box 2100, Bartles-
the American mounted horse soldier from ville OK 74003; Ph: (888) 966-5276
Saunders Memorial Museum (62), the Revolutionary War to the 1950's. P.O.
Features a collection of guns which be- Box 2325, Ft. Riley, KS 66442-0325; Ph: Wyoming State Museum (78), Nelson
longed to Col. C.B. Saunders. Some of (785) 784-5797; email: cavalry@flinthills. Museum of the West houses a fine fire-
the displays include side arms of Jesse com; www.uscavalry.org arms collection. 1714 Carey Ave., Chey-
James, Wild Bill Hickok, Pancho Villa, and enne, WY 82001; Ph: (307) 635-7670;
Annie Oakley. May be seasonal. 115 E. U.S. Army Ordinance Museum (70), email: director@nelsonmuseum.com
Madison, Berryville, AR 72616; Ph: (870) Includes exhibits of cavalry activities from
423-2563 their early beginnings in the Revolutionary ...TO BE CONTINUED AT
War up to their modern deployment in the WWW.OGCA.COM
Smithsonian Institute, A conglomerate Persian Gulf. Aberdeen Proving Gound,
of museums. Many firearms in their col- MD; Ph: (410) 278-3602
lection to be found at the Smithsonian’s
National Museum of American History, Union Pacific Historical Museum (71),
above. Washington D.C.; Ph: (202) 633- Significant collection in storage. Check
1000; email info@si.edu for current status of exhibit before visiting.
P.O. Box 4006, Cheyenne, WY 82003;
Smith & Wesson Museum (63), Chang- email: uphs@uphs.com
ing exhibits at S&W Shooting Sports Cen-
ter which sometimes include examples Warther Museum and Knife Factory
of pre-1900 S&W arms. Located in the (77) Unique wood carving and knifemak-
factory building down the street from the ing museum. Dale Warther is an OGCA
store and shooting range. 2100 Roosevelt member. 331 Karl Ave, Dover, OH 44622
Ave., Springfield, MA 01104-1606; Ph: (330) 343-7513, www.warthers.com
(800) 331-0852
OGCA MEETING DATES, Watervliet Arsenal Museum (73), Tells
DIRECTIONS, AND HOTELS the story of Watervliet Arsenal as well Courtesy of Cody
Firearms Museum
- INSIDE BACK COVER
as the history of the Big Guns and many

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