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NRA National Firearms Museum to Open Exceptional Arms Exhibit in March
Last year, the National Firearms Museum's Real Guns of Reel Heroes exhibit set a standard of popularity that will be hard to follow. But a new exhibit set to open in March may do just that, particularly for all those who truly appreciate rare and historically significant firearms. The new display, Exceptional Arms, celebrates nearly 100 arms from the private collections of members of the American Society of Arms Collectors (ASAC).
"Many of the arms in this exhibit are genuine national treasures that have never been on public display," said Craig D. Sandler, Executive Director of NRA's General Operations. "NRA is honored to work with ASAC and thrilled to unveil these rare and unusual firearms."
The exhibit will be arrayed in three different theme groups. Exceptional Arms will highlight those guns that are considered the finest and rarest of their type. Among them will be a Confederate-made Dance Brothers revolver, a Walker Colt and two North & Cheney pistols. Historic Arms will feature guns and swords that are associated with individuals of historic note. Theodore Roosevelt's Hawken Rifle, once the property of famed explorer Kit Carson, will be on display in company with a pistol owned by Walt Whitman, and John C. Garand's personal M1 rifle, serial number one million. The third theme will explore the beauty of military blades. Swords from the time of the pilgrims up to the War Between the States will display the extravagance and beauty that marked the height of the swordsmith's art.
Forty members of ASAC have lent cherished arms from their personal collections for this unique exhibit, one that is unprecedented in the society's 50-year history. Founded in 1953 by Harry C. Knode and 26 fellow collectors, the ASAC was established for the "benefit of its membership in the preservation and study of, and the dissemination of information on, arms and armor." ASAC conducts a variety of educational programs and offers grants and scholarships to advance their mission. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to 250 collectors. Members are expected to participate in the meetings that are held at different locations throughout the United States twice a year, and failure to remain active can jeopardize one's membership. It is no exaggeration to state that the members today comprise the most dedicated and influential arms collectors in the country.
Exceptional Arms will be housed in the William B. Ruger Gallery, home to the museum's special exhibitions. The exhibit will open to the public on March 14, 2003. The opening will be preceded by an invitation-only reception at NRA headquarters on March 13. The exhibit will be on view throughout the remainder of 2003. A special catalog on the exhibit will be available for sale also; call (800) 423-6894 for availability and ordering information.
Photo caption: Funston Revolver Set. A tribute, by Smith & Wesson, to one of America's foremost military leaders, this Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector revolver was presented to Brigadier General Frederick Funston, U.S. Army. According to the interior of the box lid, the gift was made "expressing appreciation of courage and genius." Funston began his military career as the artillery commander for Cuban General Calixto Garcia in 1896-98. Following the Spanish-American War, he became Colonel of the 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action at Palampanga, in the Philippines, in April 1899. He transferred to the Regular Army following the Philippine Insurrection and, among other achievements took command of both civilian and U.S. Army operations in response to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
http://www.nra.org/display_content/show_content.cfm?mod_id=51&id=4767
Last year, the National Firearms Museum's Real Guns of Reel Heroes exhibit set a standard of popularity that will be hard to follow. But a new exhibit set to open in March may do just that, particularly for all those who truly appreciate rare and historically significant firearms. The new display, Exceptional Arms, celebrates nearly 100 arms from the private collections of members of the American Society of Arms Collectors (ASAC).
"Many of the arms in this exhibit are genuine national treasures that have never been on public display," said Craig D. Sandler, Executive Director of NRA's General Operations. "NRA is honored to work with ASAC and thrilled to unveil these rare and unusual firearms."
The exhibit will be arrayed in three different theme groups. Exceptional Arms will highlight those guns that are considered the finest and rarest of their type. Among them will be a Confederate-made Dance Brothers revolver, a Walker Colt and two North & Cheney pistols. Historic Arms will feature guns and swords that are associated with individuals of historic note. Theodore Roosevelt's Hawken Rifle, once the property of famed explorer Kit Carson, will be on display in company with a pistol owned by Walt Whitman, and John C. Garand's personal M1 rifle, serial number one million. The third theme will explore the beauty of military blades. Swords from the time of the pilgrims up to the War Between the States will display the extravagance and beauty that marked the height of the swordsmith's art.
Forty members of ASAC have lent cherished arms from their personal collections for this unique exhibit, one that is unprecedented in the society's 50-year history. Founded in 1953 by Harry C. Knode and 26 fellow collectors, the ASAC was established for the "benefit of its membership in the preservation and study of, and the dissemination of information on, arms and armor." ASAC conducts a variety of educational programs and offers grants and scholarships to advance their mission. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to 250 collectors. Members are expected to participate in the meetings that are held at different locations throughout the United States twice a year, and failure to remain active can jeopardize one's membership. It is no exaggeration to state that the members today comprise the most dedicated and influential arms collectors in the country.
Exceptional Arms will be housed in the William B. Ruger Gallery, home to the museum's special exhibitions. The exhibit will open to the public on March 14, 2003. The opening will be preceded by an invitation-only reception at NRA headquarters on March 13. The exhibit will be on view throughout the remainder of 2003. A special catalog on the exhibit will be available for sale also; call (800) 423-6894 for availability and ordering information.
Photo caption: Funston Revolver Set. A tribute, by Smith & Wesson, to one of America's foremost military leaders, this Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector revolver was presented to Brigadier General Frederick Funston, U.S. Army. According to the interior of the box lid, the gift was made "expressing appreciation of courage and genius." Funston began his military career as the artillery commander for Cuban General Calixto Garcia in 1896-98. Following the Spanish-American War, he became Colonel of the 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action at Palampanga, in the Philippines, in April 1899. He transferred to the Regular Army following the Philippine Insurrection and, among other achievements took command of both civilian and U.S. Army operations in response to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
http://www.nra.org/display_content/show_content.cfm?mod_id=51&id=4767
