Still in search

The CFM is still in search of a curator. We have interviewed a number of good candidates and have a few more interviews scheduled. We hope to be able to make an announcement later this fall.
It has been interesting trying to find an individual with a good balance of firearms history and museum training. A large number of applicants are very strong on one side with little knowledge or experience of the other.
If you know of a highly qualified individual contact the Human Resources office at 307-578-4089.

More about change

(This is an excerpt from a post I left on the forum at www.Gunbroker.com. I am posting this here as I have received some questions and I thought it would be good for the blog, as well.)

As for the future of the Cody Firearms Museum, there will soon been an announcement for a national search to fill the position. I have not seen the announcement or any sort of updated job description, but I expect that the minimum requirements will be something along the lines of a Masters Degree in history, museum studies, etc., 3-5 years experience working with museum collections, and subject knowledge.

Now I know there are a lot of folks who think that because they are know-it-all about guns, former LEO/Military, etc., that they are qualified for this job (trust me, I have talked to them… *sigh*). What this does is qualify you to work as a volunteer for the Museum (actually one of our BEST volunteers knows nothing about guns except that you pull the trigger and it goes bang!).

A background in museums/museum management is necessary because most of the work required at this level is administrative, exhibits planning, and working with donors and an advisory board. If you are not someone who can compromise and work with a WIDE variety of personalities, museum work is not for you.

OK, I’ve gone on too long. However, I have already received the question to the above answer several times and wanted to nip it in the bud.

Cheers,

Dave K.

Lots to do

So I am watching it snow while thinking about all of the various and sundry things that are going on.

The BBHC is about to announce a new venture with some local Cody businesses. We will be producing a BBHC-approved reproduction of the Winchester Single-Shot Rifle (aka, the Model 1885). We are looking at a limited run of 100 guns at a decent premium. The unveiling of the prototype will take place at the Colorado Gun Collectors Association Show in Denver next month. If all goes well, we will be able to proceed to the next step and go all out. If this project is a success, we will look at making this the first of a series of five guns.

In preparation for my departure, I am trying to get things caught up administratively. There is a small pile of things that need resolved before I am out the door. Amongst these is my participation on the AAM reaccreditation committee.

As part of the 10-year cycle, we have to renew our accreditation with the American Association of Museums. The final package will fill about three 3″ binders. I am the tech-person and I have to assemble everything into something understandable. I know I have mentioned it before, but it is something that needs done before I become the ex-Curator.

Cheers,

Dave K.

Gun Show Support from the Cody Firearms Museum

All -
The following is a listing of the shows that we will be supporting through the beginning of summer.

The Records Office will be available by phone (307-578-4031) during regular work hours and on the dates listed. Keep in mind that we will have “boots on the ground” at the Denver and Cody shows.

- April 4 – Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show, Tulsa, Okla. – Sat. 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.
- May 16-17 – Colorado Gun Collectors Assoc. Annual Gun Show, Denver, Colo.* – Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sun. 9 a.m. – noon
- June 13-14 – Winchester Club of America Show, Cody, Wyo.* – Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sun. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- June 19-21 – Winchester Arms Collectors Assoc. Show, Cody, Wyo.* – Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sun. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cheers,
Dave

More “gun guy” questions

We often receive questions from gun guys who are hoping to better understand the production of antique arms – particularly Winchesters.

A recent question to me was related to the percentage of case hardened Winchester Model 1873s. Although no one has done a solid survey, I referenced Jim Gordon’s book on the 1873, Winchester’s New Model of 1873, A Tribute, and according to him, “Case hardening was a relatively common feature. A substantial majority of the Model 1873s with deluxe wood or other special features were shipped with case hardened receivers.” (pg. 199)

So, quite often, the importance of what knowledge is in your head is not as great as knowing which book to reference.

Hope this helps.

Dave

1,000,000 is less than 350,000? (or: Customer Service is the Key)

I am constantly impressed by the ability of the Records Office Staff to respond positively to questions from our customers. Just today, I was informed that a customer, when told that we did not have the record for his Winchester became incensed (and questioned the validity of the staff member’s education) because “1,000,000 is less than 350,000″.

To clarify this matter, a description of the records office is in order. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (as part of the Olin Corporation) and the Marlin Firearms Company gave us the records pertaining to more than 4 million guns manufactured by Winchester, Marlin, and the L.C. Smith Gun Company (These being links to the collector organizations). The staff of the Cody Firearms Museum uses these records to determine production information on these guns as a fee service.

The benefit of this service, while interesting to someone trying to find more information about “grandpa’s old Winchester”, is an inexpensive insurance policy for the collector of these guns. Being able to find out what a gun looked like when it left the factory can keep you from spending $10,000 (or more) on a gun that isn’t worth $1,000.

Unfortunately, we don’t hold the records for every Winchester, Marlin, or Elsie (as the collectors call them). Our list of represented serial ranges (in PDF format) will let you know if we should have the record for your gun. Unfortunately, the aforementioned gentleman looking for information on his Model 1894 could not understand why we do not hold a record on his gun serialized in the 1 million range when we hold the records from 1-353999.

Gotta love Customer Service

Cheers,

Dave

Some Bad Guns Out There…

One of the most time-consuming, but interesting, aspects of life at the Cody Firearms Museum is responding to the literally thousands of inquiries we receive each year – not counting the more than 5,000 requests that reach the Cody Firearms Museum Records Office. One of the two Cody Firearms Museum Curatorial Assistants, Warren Newman, is responsible for replying to the vast majority of these inquiries. Whether by phone, email, or good old fashioned postal mail, your inquiries will get to us and we will get back to you.

Unfortunately, several recent inquiries point to an influx of guns onto the collector market that, while having a great story, appear to be in the Bad Gun category. We did not think too much of some photos sent to us by a gentleman hoping to get more information on a couple of his recent purchases. However, over the last few weeks, several other individuals asked us about similar guns. This prompted us to get some scans of a couple of pictures in order to show others what to look for if a gun appears to be too-good-to-be-true. Sorry about the images. We did not take them. We are also not disclosing the name of the individual who owns the guns and took the pictures or the individual makes and models of the guns on which the embellishments appear.

“Lillian Smith” gun, right side of stock

“Lillian Smith” gun, left side of stock

“Annie Oakley” gun, right side of stock

“Annie Oakley” gun, left side of stock

Gun Number 1 – Annie Oakley – 1st – Trick Shot World Champion

Where to begin?

Factually, I will agree with the idea that Annie Oakley was a great shot and, likely, the best shot of her day – male or female. However, there were few opportunities for shooters of the day to be crowned as a “Champion”, much less “World Champion” in anything other than target shooting (rifle or pistol) or shotgun competitions. Occasional matches between two renowned trick-shots would take place, but these were few and far between.

After a bad train wreck in 1901, Oakley left the Wild West and did not tour with the show again. As for Buffalo Bill and his show, they were not in St. Louis for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. During the years 1903-1906, the Wild West was touring in Europe.

With that resolved, we move on to the markings and metal plates on the gun. The stampings on the left side of the stock are uneven (both in line, depth, and application) and likely of a style not available at the time (If someone knows more about the last 150 years of stencil/stamp design, please let us know!).

The metal plates on the gun’s right side are unevenly cut and, again, unevenly marked. On true prize guns from the era – especially to individuals of the stature of Annie Oakley – the name would have been nicely engraved on the frame of the gun or on a metal (brass) plate (also called an escutcheon) inlet into the stock.

There are simply too many things wrong with this gun to look at it as a legitimate prize gun owned by Annie Oakley. In order to legitimate it, there would have to be a proven chain of custody, identifying the gun by description and by serial number, from the initial owner to the current owner. This chain of custody does not include notarized letters by someone two or three generations removed. It does include diaries and journals, entries in wills, probate records, arrest records, other court documents, newspaper articles from the period in question, etc.

It is hard to do, but when everything falls into place, there is a real sense that there are no questions. If you have to “feel that it is right”, it is likely not a good thing.

Gun Number 2 – Lillian Smith – World Champion – 1888

Given the above look at the “Annie Oakley” gun, I will let the reader try to pick out some of the issues with this one but I do want to point out the military-style stamp used on the left side of the stock. Take a look at this one and then look at the “Annie Oakley” gun, above.

Lillian Smith was a real person. She was a known trick shot artist, toured with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West for a couple of seasons (1887-1889), and was a rival of Annie Oakley. With the dates of her employment with Cody’s outfit, you would think that there would be something on the gun tying Smith to Cody.

Take a look at a PBS page or the Wikipedia Entry for more information on Smith.

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