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.

Perpetuated Oddities

If you spend enough time in the gun business, you learn better than to say that Winchester, Colt, Smith & Wesson, Remington, or anyone else “Never did this.”

I am about to do the unspeakable…

We received an inquiry from a gent. His question has to do with a Winchester Model 12 shotgun and whether or not it was ever produced in a left-side-eject/left-handed version. He bases his question in an image printed in the George Madis book, “The Winchester Model 12″. On Page 83, there is an image of a Model 12 with a factory-installed Cutts compensator.

The issue here is that the image shows the right side of the gun, with no visible ejection port. My belief is that the image used in the publication of the book was flopped, creating a reverse image. In other words, Winchester never did this.

There. I said it. At least I won’t be here next week when someone shows up with one…

Cheers,

Dave K.

Thanks to all of the supporters and firends I met over the last (nearly) six years!

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.

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

Product Recall for Mr. Bond

I just saw an article on Forbes that describes a recall from Smith & Wesson.

This recall affects their Walther PPK and PPK/S models. As an FYI, Smith & Wesson does not manufacture the Walthers, but they do import them into the US.

If you have a PPK or PPK/S manufactured between March 21, 2002, and February 3, 2009, you will want to check the recall notice.

Cheers,

Dave

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