Prior to the Civil War, the US Army sought ways to alter its existing muzzle loading arms into breech loaders. The Army had even been rather forward thinking when it adopted […]
Civil War
Powder Hour: Samuel Colt
“God created all men, Samuel Colt made them equal.” Born on July 19, 1814 near Hartford, Connecticut, Samuel Colt was the son of Christopher and Sarah Colt. His mother died of […]
Powder Hour: Evolution of Firearms
Early Ignition Systems Since the introduction of black powder around 1250, cultures have been finding ways to create and improve firearms. The very first firearms that have been discovered are hand […]
Powder Hour: The Sharps Legacy
The Sharps name has been popular in firearms since the 19th century. Christian Sharps has a huge impact on the history of firearms and the history of the American West. […]
Powder Hour Blog – Colt Model 1860 Army versus Colt Model 1861 Navy
Samuel Colt and Colt Manufacturing are very familiar names when it comes to firearms and their history. They are responsible for making some of the most iconic firearms. The Colt […]
Treasures from Our West: House of Representatives Chair
Originally featured in Points West magazine in Fall 2014 James Burnie Beck’s chair from the House of Representatives A few treasures from our vaults reflect some remarkable national connections, including […]