Firearms Research
The lower level of the new Cody Firearms Museum serves as a gun library that allows visitors to study thousands of firearms up close and on both sides by means of clear storage displays. Also in the lower level, visitors can view patents and prototypes, and scholars are able to schedule time to do their own research in the museum’s new reading rooms. Cody Firearms Museum staff at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West have compiled a number of resources for your information as you conduct your own firearms research.
Cody Firearms Records Office
The Cody Firearms Records Office provides manufacturing dates and configuration data on Winchester, Marlin, L.C. Smith, Ithaca, Savage, and A.H. Fox firearms using the original factory records held by the Center. Factory letters are available to all individuals for a fee based on membership status.
For more information about the services of the Cody Firearms Records Office, lists of available models and serial numbers, and the online ordering form, visit the Cody Firearms Records Office page or contact the Records Office at [email protected].
Our staff has compiled the following resources for your information as you conduct your own firearms research.
Firearms Glossary
Do you know the difference between a flintlock and a matchlock? What makes a firearm “single action” or “double action”? Visit our Firearms Glossary—while neither a complete nor exhaustive treatment of firearms terminology, it’s a great resource for those gaining familiarity with firearms.
Firearms Bibliography
Looking for more in-depth information? View our Firearms Bibliography, listing books covering a wide variety of general firearms information and history to specific firearms manufacturers. While not an exhaustive reading list, you can always delve deeper by consulting the sources that appear in the bibliographies of the books in our list.
Categories in our bibliography include:
- General Reference and Histories
- Airguns
- Ballard
- Browning
- Colt
- High Standard
- L.C. Smith
- Marlin
- Parker
- Remington
- Ruger
- Savage / Stevens
- Sharps
- Smith & Wesson
- Winchester
- Military Arms
- Firearms Care and Maintenance
Some of these titles, denoted by an asterisk, may be available for purchase through the Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s Museum Store. To find out, visit store.centerofthewest.org or call 800-533-3838.
