“UNITED STATES” Arms in 1776

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The American Revolution was already well under way when the delegates to the Continental Congress officially declared independence on July 4, 1776. Months before in the spring of '76, a shortage of arms was...

History Mystery: An Austrian Percussion Cap Conversion Or Something Else?

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I'm lucky enough to have a day job where I'm constantly learning new things about guns. Sometimes it's a brand new product; other times, it's an old gun that I knew nothing about, or...
Peanut Derringer Henry Deringer

History of Concealed Carry: Deringer’s Derringer, .41 Caliber Fun

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Did you know that Deringer was the man -- Henry Deringer, Philadelphia gun maker -- and derringer is the gun? A .41 caliber ball from this little beauty would have gotten someone's attention. Logan...
Taylors & Company 1875 Schofield 38 Special Revolver

Gun Review: Taylor’s & Company 1875 Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield Revolver in...

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Sweet baby Jesus this gun is pretty. Taylor's & Company has imported a limited run of nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 3 Schofield break-top revolvers. The Schofield is one of the iconic guns of the...
Colt Python Revolver Serial #2 NRA Museum

Logan Metesh Has Colt Python Serial Numbers 2, 3 and 5

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Josh Wayner didn't get a lot of argument yesterday when he pronounced the .357 Magnum one of the most effective and versatile rounds ever invented. And while there are plenty of great Ruger and...

Military Contracts And The Kaiser’s Custom Mannlicher M1899

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The late 19th century saw the beginning of the semi-automatic era. Countless makers came up with untold designs, all striving to create a more perfect pistol. In 1898, Austrian Ferdinand Mannlicher had designed a new...

What Do You Get When You Mix Guns And Cameras?

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Enthusiasts of firearms and photography often use similar terms and equipment. Both "shoot" the "target." Both employ the use of a tripod to steady their aim. Both utilize a trigger (of sorts) to take...

Museum Adventures: Nunemacher Collection Flintlock Conversion

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Whenever I travel, I'm always on the hunt for a good museum. I can't help it; the history nerd in me reigns supreme. Additionally, I'm always on the hunt for firearms of any kind...
National Air And Space Museum Winchester Shotgun General Arnold

The National Air and Space Museum’s Winchester Shotgun

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The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, has a remarkable collection on display. Most notably, it houses the B-29 bomber Enola Gay from the first atomic mission,...
Guns Magazine .223 Rifle AR Automatic

When Converting An AR to Full-Auto Was ‘Completely Out of the Question’

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I found this little nugget while perusing a copy of Guns Magazine from December 1964 about trying out Colt's then-new AR pattern .223 sporting rifles. The article was titled, 'The .223 Becomes a Civilian' ....

History’s First Assassination with a Handgun: William I, Prince of Orange

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William I, Prince of Orange - better known as William the Silent - holds the unenviable place in history of being the first person in the world assassinated with a handgun in 1584. Born into...

Documentation is Everything: Rediscovering a Notorious Gangster’s Tommy Gun

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With more than 18,000 members and 81 years of history behind it, the Ohio Gun Collectors Association is one of - if not the - oldest and largest gun collector groups in the United...