Firearms and Wilderness Conservation

One of the more popular exhibits at the Cody Firearms Museum is our Adirondack Cabin. Built to resemble a cabin of the type used by wealthy hunters from New York, it currently houses the Boone and Crockett Heads & Horns Collection. Additionally, a visitor can take a VERY close look at the Winchester Model 1895 Rifle carried by President Theodore Roosevelt on his African Safari in 1909. The exhibit (and the purpose of the original collection) is here to remind us of what we could lose were it not for hunters and anglers who chose to set limits and laws to govern their sports. At a time (the late 1800s) when many game populations were greatly declining, the Boone and Crockett Club began its life by lobbying for the necessary legislative changes in order to save the game animals they appreciated so much.

The reason I mention this is an article that was forwarded to my by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (of which, we are a non-profit member). This article, posted originally here, discusses a government tax that shows a direct benefit to us. When people talk about the affect of firearms on the American West, take a look at the Pittman-Robertson Act. Over seventy years, the 10-11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition has provided more than $4 billion dollars to restore our wilderness areas. As with most federal monies, the states of the west have received a larger share, per capita, as a result of their smaller population. Not that we would complain.

Cheers,

Dave K.

Gun Storage Questions

The staff of the Cody Firearms Museum is often asked about the best way to store guns. I was thinking about getting to this subject at some point, but I had not gotten there yet. Now, for the second time in a week, I find myself commenting on a topic that came up in the L.C. Smith Collector Forums.

Without attempting to answer directly to their questions, I can offer some of the following pointers:

• Keep the temperature and humidity as stable as possible. Granted, this isn’t always possible, but everything helps. Rapid changes in these factors can play havoc with wood and metal.
• Unless the metal is completely dry (no oil or almost no oil), try to store longarms with the barrels pointing down. This prevents the oil from migrating through the action into the stock. I know that most folks only use a couple of drops of oil and then wipe off any excess, but oil is still a liquid.
• Do not store firearms in a cardboard or foam- or sheepskin-lined case. Acids in the treatment of cardboard can affect the appearance of some gun finishes. Also, cheaper foams are often used in cases. This makes the case fine for transportation but, over the long run, this foam can fall apart (oxidation, exposure to solvent, and the like), damaging the gun.
• Use Ethafoam as a replacement for less expensive foams or as a barrier or cushion between the guns and carpet, plywood, or other materials in long-term stoage situations. You can use a hotglue gun to secure the Ethafoam in place.
• (Late addition) Decock the gun making sure that the gun is unloaded. This relieves the tension on springs, pins, and other parts in the gun.

There are lots of other tips out there, but this is a good starting place.

XRF means X-Ray Fun!!!

Not really.

XRF is X-Ray Fluorescence. Essentially, it involves shooting low voltage x-rays at a target to determine the molecular makeup of the object.

Yesterday and today, we (staff of the BBHC) got to play with an XRF gun that we can use (for the next two weeks, at least) to determine the chemical makeup of everything from the alloy in a rifle barrel, the composition of gutta percha grips, and the type of brass used in a cartridge case. For non-gun objects, we looked at pigments in Native American clothing and accessories, individual pigments in a Remington watercolor, and the presence of arsenic in animal mounts.

Unfortunately, there is an expense that goes with the tool. I won’t go into it here, but if you know someone with deep pockets, send them my way!

Cheers,

Dave

M4s, Football, Lunch, and things

Something of notice from a firearms history perspective – last week, the US Army announced that they may be willing to replace the M4 Carbine. While this is not technically history, per se, the willingness of the Army to change from the M16/M4 family to something new is as much of a change as the previous moves to percussion actions, rifled barrels, cartridge breechloaders, or repeating arms. The current platform, designed in the 1950s has seen nearly a half-century in use by the US military. This should be interesting…

I got a call from the front desk today – retired Pro-Bowler Larry Csonka should be stopping in for a tour. Mr. Csonka hosts a Hunting show based out of Alaska, his current home. I think he will enjoy seeing some of the stuff we have.

Thanks to a busy day and some planning needs, lunch is late. I am writing this at a table in the Mustang Grill, the restaurant here at the historical center. Gotta love buffalo burgers! Well, that and sunlight. Most offices in the historical center do not have windows. This is as much for security as to keep unwanted light from collections objects. You would be amazed at the damage that Ultraviolet light can inflict on an object – even on wood or metal. Maybe I will have our Conservator, Beverly Perkins write something up on the subject in the future.

Cheers,
Dave