During World War II, the U.S. Army was one of the first armies to adopt a semi-automatic rifle as its standard infantry arm. This was… Read More
Cody Firearms Museum Blog: Unloading the Myth
The Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses over 7,000 historically significant firearms with more than 15,000 firearms-related artifacts. We seek to provide every visitor – from gun aficionados, to firearms novices, to those without previous firearms experience – with a unique educational opportunity. This museum is more than just guns; firearms help inform the story of the West, the story of gun cultures, and the story of people.
Museum Minute: A Toy Gun in A Firearm Collection
It turns out the Cody Firearms Museum does not only collect real guns, it also has at least one toy gun. A Thompson… Read More
Museum Minute: A Royal Blunderbuss
Throughout history, it was common for royalty to present another noblemen or royalty with a firearm. The gift usually symbolized peace between… Read More
Museum Minute: The Rowland Made Wheellock Rifle
The wheellock rifle was invented in the 1500s. These were incredibly popular guns in England during the 1600s so there are many that… Read More
Representing Firearms
As I’m writing this, the Cody Firearms Museum here at the Center of the West has just begun preparing the top floor for its big… Read More
Matchlocks in Isolation: Tokugawa Japan’s Firearms Culture
In 1854, United States Commodore Matthew Perry finally succeeded in pressuring Japan to reopen itself to trade for the first time in nearly 200 years.… Read More
Flintlocks in the Revolution Part 2: The Continental Army Learns Line Tactics
Last time, we saw that guerilla action at the battles of Lexington and Concord forced the British military to take colonial resistance seriously. These famous… Read More
Museum Minute: Who Really Designed The M1 Carbine?
The M1 Carbine is a short, light weight rifle that was introduced during World War II and then used throughout most of the rest… Read More
Flintlocks in the Revolution Part 1: Militaries and Hunters
Mid-way through the interview for this internship, I was asked about my favorite firearm. I answered that if I had to choose, I’d settle on… Read More
The Magnum 10 Lawsuit: Ithaca on Trial
Guns are tools built around explosions. When all goes as designed, they redirect the blast’s force away from the user and throw a projectile through… Read More