Guns

Some firearms in the Frazier Museum, Louisville, KY
http://www.fraziermuseum.org/ Be sure to visit!

The Frazier museum has an astonishing collection of rare and historic arms, many from the world-class personal collection of the museums founder, Owsley Brown Frazier. What you see here is only a part of what the museum has on display and they often rotate the exhibits.

In addition the guns shown here, the Frazier Museum has an incredible collection of medieval armor on loan from the Royal Armory and the Tower of London. I have some pictures on Page 2.

Please do not think that viewing my pictures are a substitute for a visit to this wonderful museum. There is so much more to see. Be sure to visit the museum in person!

Civil War and Old West Guns

Descriptions are below the pictures.

Whitney Model 1 1/2 Pocket Revolver with ivory grips. 1871-1872. Whitney Arms Company, Whitneyville, CT.
Engraved by Louis Daniel Nimschke. .32 caliber rimfire. Serial Number 6377B

Model 2 "Pepperbox" breechloading four-shot pistol, 1870s. Sharps Rifle Company, Philadelphia, PA. .32 caliber rimfire. Serial Number 255.

Protector Palm Pistol, 1890s. Chicago Firearms Company, Chicago, IL. .32 extra short rimfire caliber. Serial Number 9590.

Model 1 1/2 single-action revolver, probably 1880s. Belgian. .32 caliber rimfire. Serial Number 12379.

Remington-Elliot "Double Barrel Repeater", 1880s. E. Remington & Sons, Llion, NY.  .41 caliber. Serial Number 9.

Standard Model New Line Revolver, 1876. Colt Firearms Company, Hartford, CT. .30 caliber. Serial Number 9527.

Remington-Elliot Double Derringer (Model 95) Type 1, Model 2, about 1869-1870. E. Remington & Sons, Llion, NY. 
.41 rimfire short caliber. Serial Number 525.

Marston three-barrel derringer, about 1864. William Walker Marston (New York).
.32 caliber rimfire. Serial Number 12.

Flintlock "turn-off" pocket pistol, 1813-1815. Joseph Simmons (Birmingham, England).  .31 caliber.

Manufactured at Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf am Neckar about 1900. Caliber: 7.63 mm.

U.S. Model 1843 (Hall Breechloader) carbine, 1850. Simeon North, Middletown, CT.   .58 caliber.
During the Mexican War, the 1st and 2nd Dragoon regiments were equipped with the breechloading Model 1843.

Model No. 2 (Army) Revolver, 1865
Smith & Wesson, Springfield, MA.   .32 caliber.  Serial number 38837.
After firing, the shooter expended casings by "breaking open" the pistol, pivoting the barrel vertically, removing the cylinder, and
pushing the open end of each chamber onto the short cylinder rod, thus forcing the empty cartridge out the back of the cylinder.

Volcanic Navy lever-action pistol, 1855-1857
Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, New Haven, Ct.  .41 caliber.  Serial number 1394.
In 1854, Smith & Wesson designed a metallic case for the rocket ball bullet, and later, along with Benjamin Tyler Henry,
they redesigned the original rocket ball. Investors in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, which was directed by
Oliver Winchester, bought out Smith & Wesson in 1855, but the company continued to use their modified rocket ball
cartridges in it's Volcanic Pistols, produced under the supervision of Benjamin Tyler Henry.

First Model Smith-Jennings Rifle, about 1851
Robbins & Lawrence, Windsor, VT.  .54 caliber.  Serial number 1
Only about 500 were made. Pictured is the first serialized rifle. It featured an automatic pill magazine
to dispense small balls of detonating compound for priming the rocket ball ammunition.

Volcanic Lever-Action Carbine, 1857-1860
New Haven Arms Company, New Haven, CT.  .41 caliber. Serial number 2975
The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company shifted production to New Haven in 1856 but became insolvent a year later.
Oliver Winchester bought up it's assets and reorganized the company as the New Haven Arms Company.
B. Tyler Henry then adapted the Volcanic pistol action to a carbine, which also fired the metallic rimfire cartridges that he developed.
This paved the way for the famous Henry rifle of 1860 and the Winchester 1866 rifle and carbine.

Maynard Primed Belt Model revolver, 1851-1857
Massachusetts Arms Company, Chicopee Falls, MA.   .31 caliber. Serial number 471.
 

Le Mat "Grapeshot" percussion revolver, 1862-1865
Charles Frederic Girard et Cie, Paris, France.   .40 caliber.  Serial number 2014.
A combination of a cap & ball revolver and a shotgun, this unusual pistol had a lower barrel loaded with buckshot, giving it it's nickname.
The Le Mat was a personal favorite of Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B. Stuart.
The Confederacy ordered several thousand of the pistols from Girard, but problems with workmanship led to cancellation of the contracts.

Model 1851 Navy or belt pistol revolvers, 1856 and 1858, presented to Gideon Welles (U.S. Secretary of the Navy 1861-1869).
Colt Firearms Company, Hartford, CT.   .36 caliber. Serial numbers 62148 and 89493.
Samuel Colt called these revolvers "Navy" because he felt the Army would prefer his larger Dragoon pistol, but in fact most Model 1851 Navy revolvers went to the Army. This pair is very rare and important, not just because they were presented to Gideon Welles, but because of the "USN" and anchor marks on the pistols.
The 1851 was Colt's most popular and durable percussion revolver. More than 200,000 were produced between 1850 and 1873.

Early Fourth Model 1851 Navy revolver, 1859-1860.
Colt Firearms Company, Hartford, CT.   .36 caliber. Serial number 91833.

In 1860, Felix Tait, an Alabama cotton farmer, ordered a pair of Model 1851 Navy pistols with unusually long barrels, together with cases and accessories (one of which is shown above). The pistols were shipped to him in April 1861, and presumably he took them with him when he volunteered later that year and became a Major in the 23rd Alabama infantry.

Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver with case and accessories, 1866
Colt Firearms Company, Hartford, CT.     .31 caliber.   Serial number 282947.
Despite the pistol's name, it was not introduced until 1850. These small pistols were popular as privately purchased side arms among foot soldiers, and
they were often the sole defensive arms of fifers and drummers. It became Colt's most popular percussion arm as more than 330,000 were made by 1873.

Manhattan Pocket Model revolver, about 1858
Manhattan Firearms Manufacturing Company, Newark, NJ.   .31 caliber.   Serial number 7.
A competitor of Colt, the small Manhattan company did not win important contracts during the Civil War
but concentrated on the civilian market where the Colt Model 1849 pocket revolver was more successful.

Third Model "Army" front-loading revolver, about 1863
Plant's Manufacturing Company, New Haven, CT.  .42-100 caliber.  Serial number 1621.
First patented in 1859, this unique revolver used special metallic cartridges loaded into the front of the cylinder chambers.
Although not government arms, they were popular as personal firearms during the Civil War.

U.S. Model 1855 pistol-carbine, 1855
Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA.   .58 caliber.  Serial number 16.
The first rifled regulation pistol adopted by the U.S. Army, this weapon was intended for use as a handheld pistol while on horseback, or a
shoulder-fired carbine when on foot. It proved unsatisfactory in the field among cavalry troops in the West and was doomed by the far superior Colt revolvers.

Model 1849 pocket revolver, 1868
Colt Firearms Company, Hartford, CT.     .31 caliber.   Serial number 306571.
The most popular of Colt percussion pistols among Pony Express riders. Against company preference, some riders carried an extra loaded cylinder.

Model 1873 Army single-action revolver, 1883
Colt Firearms Company, Hartford, CT.     .44-40 caliber.    Serial number 99749.
One of the first weapons to use the new center-fire cartridges, this pistol became known as the Peacemaker, a name that Colt began to use in 1874.
Other popular nicknames for this pistol  include Hog Leg, Equalizer, Frontier Six-Shooter, Thumb Buster and Plow Handle.
Colt first made the Model 1873 in .44 caliber and then rechambered it for .45 caliber at the Army's request in 1874.

Buffalo Guns
Top: Sharps Model 1874 Sporting or "buffalo" rifle, 1877.  Caliber: .45  Serial number: 159506

Middle: Springfield U.S. Model 1866, Second Model, "trapdoor Springfield" rifle. Caliber: .50-70
After the Civil War, the government converted thousands of surplus arms from percussion muzzle-loaders to single-shot breechloaders by adding a hinged cover, or "trapdoor", over a chamber for inserting cartridges. Civilian hunters hired by the Army also used the Model 1866, among them, Buffalo Bill Cody who nicknamed his rifle "Lucretia Borgia". In admiration of the rifle's 600 yard range, American Indians said that the Model 1866 could "shoot today and kill tomorrow".

Bottom: Marlin Ballard Deluxe Pacific Number 5 rifle, 1885-1886.  Caliber: .45-70 government.  Serial number: 12446.
 

Remington Model 1875 Army, First Type, Second Issue, single action revolver, about 1878.
Caliber: .44 Remington.   Serial number: 79
Also known as the "Improved Army" or "Frontier Army", the Remington Model 1875 never achieved the success of Colt's Model 1873
Army single-action revolver as a cavalry pistol, but it was the preferred weapon of the Indian Police of the Department of the Interior.

Remington New Model Navy revolver, 1866-1878.  Caliber: .36   Serial number: 34549
After fire devastated Colt's production line in 1864, only Remington was able to step in and fill government contracts. Although all of the New Model Navys were intended for the military, about 2000 that did not meet federal specifications found their way into private hands.

Remington Model 1871rolling block pistol, 1871.  Caliber: .50-25 center-fire  Serial Number: 1044
This powerful single-shot pistol was designed for the military, but soon after the federal government received the first shipment in 1872, it adopted the Colt Model 1873 revolver as the standard side arm. Many surplus Model 1871 pistols were converted for civilian sport and target shooting.

Remington-Rider magazine pistol, about 1880.  Caliber: .32 rimfire extra short.
Designed by Joseph Rider, this pistol held five shots in a tubular magazine under the barrel. It was one of the first firearms with a tubular magazine for metal-cased cartridges. Probably fewer than 15,000 were made. The exact number is unknown because they were not given serial numbers.

Smith & Wesson Model 1 Second Issue revolver, 1860-1868.  Caliber: .22 short rimfire.  SN: 40208.
The seven-shot Model 1 was the company's first revolver and their first firearm to use metal-cased cartridges.
The barrel tips up so the cylinder can be removed for loading and unloading.

Smith & Wesson Model 1 1/2 Second Issue revolver, after 1868. Caliber: .32.  Serial number: 41817.
More powerful than the .22 caliber Model 1 and streamlined for a quick draw from a coat or trouser pocket.

Smith& Wesson Model 2 Old Model (Model 2 Army) revolver, 1864.  Caliber: .32   Serial number: 25539
Smith & Wesson did not introduce a military model until near the end of the Civil War,
although they did privately market many of their weapons to servicemen.

Smith & Wesson New Model 3 revolver, about 1906.  Caliber: .44 S&W Russian.  Serial number: 34096.
The "top-break" action allowed fast reloading and the use of more reliable, powerful center-fire ammunition.
The New Modle 3 was known to be used by Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cody, Teddy Roosevelt and Wyatt Earp.

Colt Display

I am sorry to say that I did not get the details of this unique Colt.
I will have to look it up during my next visit to the museum.

Colt Model 1848 "Baby Dragoon" pocket revolver, 1849.  Caliber: .31.  Serial number: 8069.
The Model 1848 was the first pocket revolver made at the new Hartford plant after Colt's financial failure at Paterson, NJ.
During the gold rush, the Model 1848 retailed for $20-$25 in the East, skyrocketed to nearly $300 in gold in the West.

Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver, 1860.  Caliber: .44   Serial number: 19516.
Like the previous Colt Walkers, most Dragoon revolvers were made for the military and were usually carried in a holster
over the neck of a cavalryman's horse. Some were fitted with detachable shoulder stocks to permit their use as carbines.

Colt Model 1877 "Thunderer" revolver, 1907.  Caliber: .41   Serial number: 163146
 

Colt Model 1877 "Lightning" revolver with retail box, 1888.   Caliber: .38   Serial number: 65782

Colt Model 1877 "Lightning" revolver, 1893.   Caliber: .38   Serial number: 89231

Colt Model 1878/1902 "Alaskan" or "Philippine" double-action revolver, 1901.  Caliber:.45  Serial number: 48183
Advertisements referred to this large-framed pistol made in several variations for particular markets as "Omnipotent", but it was prone to accidental discharge and misfiring. After it was declared obsolete for military use, it was released to the civilian market where at least some of these guns ended up as props in Hollywood westerns during the 1930s.

Colt "Flattop" Target model single-action revolver, 1892.  Caliber: .41  Serial number: 146540
Made from 1888 to 1895, fewer than 1000 of this model were produced, and fewer than 100 in this caliber.

Winchester Display

Top: Winchester Model1885 single-shot special target rifle, 1898.   Caliber: .38-55   Serial number: 47441
Winchesters first single-shot rifle and the first in series with John Browning's breech design that featured a modified Sharps-style falling block action activated by pulling down on the lever/trigger guard. The series included four types of stock (rifle, carbine, military musket and Schuetzen), five barrel weights, and 65 different chamberings.

Middle: Winchester Model 1866 carbine, 1891.  Caliber: .45-70   Serial number: 59173
The origins of the Model 1886 lay in John and Matthew Browning's repeating rifle patented in 1884.
Winchester bought the rights and further improved the weapon, which was made for nearly 50 years.

Bottom: Winchester Second Model 1890 rifle, 1895.  Caliber: .22 short    Serial number: 35136
This Browning-designed rifle, which replaced the unpopular .22 caliber version of the Model 1873, became Winchester's best seller.

Winchester Model 1892 rifle with factory shipping crate, 1895.  Caliber: .25-20 W.C.F.   Serial number: 106346
Between 1892 and 1941, Winchester produced more than 1 million Model 1892 rifles based on John Browning's design.

Top: Winchester Model 1894 carbine, 1899.  Caliber: .30 W.C.F.  Serial number 167221
Winchester's first lever-action long arm built exclusively for smokeless powder from another of John Browning's designs.
Still in production today, more than 3 million have been made.

Bottom: Winchester Model 1895 rifle, 1928.  Caliber: .405 Winchester   Serial number: 421847
The Model 1895 was John Browning's last design for a large-caliber lever-action weapon.

The James-Younger Gang

Frank James Surrender
The last of Quantrill's men, including Frank James, put down their arms several months after the Civil War officially ended. In an unusually lenient parole, they were allowed to keep their horses and even their side arms, possibly as a reward for having tracked down another guerrilla accused of rape. Frank, who had broken an earlier parole, took no chances of receiving an automatic death sentence for that infraction. He surrendered under the alias of "Alex James, Company E. 3rd Missouri Cavalry".

Frank James Remington New Model Navy revolver.  Caliber: .36  Serial number: 38613
This well-used pistol with the missing front sight belonged to Frank James. It may have been one he obtained late in the
Civil War, and it is possible that it is the one he was allowed to keep after surrendering to Union Troops in July 1865.

Jesse James Colt Model 1873 Army single-action revolver, 1880.  Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.  Serial number: 61306
This handgun is said to have belonged to Jesse James at the time of his death.
It may be a pistol taken during the robbery of the military payroll at Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1881. Jesse's son gave it to a friend and it later found it's way into the possession of Missouri Senator Harry B. Hawes. In 1939 it was shown in Missouri's exhibits at the New York Worlds Fair. The James family tried unsuccessfully to regain it, even calling on Henry Ford to act on their behalf.

Colt Model 1851 Navy or belt revolver, 1871.  Caliber: .36   Serial number: 213204
An inquest determined that on the day Jess James died, there were at least 5 pistols in the house. This Model 1871 was almost certainly among them. It was passed down through the family until 1994 when it and it's accessories were acquired by a private collector.

Jim Youngers Smith & Wesson Model Number 3, Second Model single-action revolver, 1872-1874.  Caliber: .44  Serial number: 16734
Gang members at Northfield carried two revolvers apiece, mostly New Model Smith & Wessons, plus cartridge belts. This pistol is said to have been taken from Jim Younger by posse leader Colonel T.L. Vought after the 1876 shoot-out at the Sorbel farm near Madelia, Minnesota.

Smith & Wesson First Model "Baby Russian" single-action revolver, 1876-1877.   Caliber: .38   Serial number: 13813
This pistol was carried by Yankee Bligh, Louisville, Kentucky's Chief of Detectives. Bligh was the first professional detective to track the James gang.

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Modified Colt single-action revolver with elements from Models 1872 and 1873.  Caliber: .44-40  Serial numbers: 42870 and 6285
This pistol was carried by Texas Ranger Sebastian "Bass" Outlaw.

Colt Model 1873 Army single-action revolver, 1884.  Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.  Serial number: 111323
Carried by Texas Ranger Robert Ed "Jack" Bryant. During his long career, Jack Bryant carried only this revolver and a Winchester Third Model 1873 carbine unlike most lawmen who owned a dozen or more firearms during their careers. At some point, Bryant had his pistol silver-plated.

Custer's Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers with case and accessories, about 1863.  Caliber: .36   Serial numbers: 13511P and 13514P
Engraved by Louis Daniel Nimschke.
These pistols were reputedly presented to George Armstrong Custer during the Civil War.
The suffix P of the serial numbers probably indicated that the pistols were to receive a special factory polish, and the cylinders lack the customary naval battle scene. The decoration, as well as the silver plating of the bullet mold were probably not done at the Colt factory.

Bullard lever-action sporting rifle, about 1885.  Caliber: .40-90   Serial number: 282
Presented to Buffalo Bill Cody by the manufacturer about 1885.
The left side of the receiver is engraved "Presented to Col. Wm. F. Cody by the Bullard Repeating Arms Co." A silver buffalo head in relief appears on the top of the receiver. This example is a "large frame model" of Bullard's rifle. James H. Bullard was one of Smith & Wesson's top engineers and held three firearm patents with Daniel Wesson and three in his own name.

Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick"
Holland & Holland Royal Grade Double Rifle with case and accessories.  Caliber: .500/.450 Nitro Express  Serial number 19109
This rifle was made in 1908 at the request of well-known hunter Edward North Buxton, a personal friend of Roosevelt. It was presented to Roosevelt by more than fifty outstanding British conservationists and hunters in 1909 as he prepared to set off on his Smithsonian-sponsored African safari.

Winchester Model 1892 once owned by Theodore Roosevelt, 1894.  Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.  Serial number: 53614
 

Winchester Model 1895.  Caliber: .30-40 Krag.  Serial number: 23576
This rifle was presented to Leonard Wood, Governor of Cuba, by Theodore Roosevelt, Governor of New York, 1899.

Winchester 1892 Deluxe carbine, 1894 or 1895.  Caliber: .44-40 W.C.F.   Serial number: 60909
This lavishly engraved "saddle-ring" Model 1892 bears a specially ordered gold and nickel plated finish and custom mountings.

Confederate Rifles
1. Spencer Model 1860 rifle. Inscribed "MM Lawrence of Co. H KY Cav."
2. Sharps rifle, 1862.
3. S.C. Robinson Arms First Model Sharps-type Carbine, Confederate, 1862-1863.
4. State Rifle Works Morse Carbine, Second or Third Type, Confederate, 1862-1865.

Close-up of State Rifle Works Morse Carbine, Second or Third Type, Confederate, 1862-1865.
Designed by a Northern gunsmith who adopted the Southern cause, this rifle was built on machinery captured from the federal armory at Harpers Ferry.

Prentice Family Henry Rifle, 1865.
George Prentice was loyal to the Union and worked to arm the the Union's Kentucky Home Guard. However, both of his two sons joined the Confederate Army and both carried this rifle during their service. Family history states that William Prentice was carrying this gun when he was killed in action.

Colt Model 1851 Navy or Belt Pistol Revolver, 1861

Colt Model 1860 New Model Army Revolver, 1862

Bowie knife with sheath. Unwin & Rogers, Sheffield, England.
Inscribed "Real Ripper to cut thro' all Kentucky Fashion".

Bowie knife and sheath, mid 19th century.
George Woodhead, Sheffield, England.

Civil War Medical Kits

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Colt New Line Second Model Revolver, 1875.  Caliber: 38  Serial number: 3756
Engraved, nickel plated and gilded steel, mother of pearl grips. Case: Leather covered wood, silk and velvet.
This may have been part of Colt's display at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876.

Colt Hartford-London Third Model Dragoon Revolver with detachable shoulder stock, about 1854-1856.  Caliber: .44  Serial number: 279
Blued and case colored steel, silver-plated brass, walnut grips (restored).
The Colt Dragoon pistol was introduced in 1848 and produced in three models. The weapons made for export bore serial numbers between 1 and 700. The parts were made in Hartford and then shipped to Britain for assembly and finish in Colt's London factory. This magnificent example is fully embellished in London factory engraving - a treatment found on only 20% of the Hartford-London Third Model revolvers. The Hartford-London Dragoon is one of the most desirable Colt firearms among collectors.

Colt Buntline Special .45

Pair of Colt Model 1862 Police Revolvers with case and accessories, 1863.  Caliber: .36  Serial numbers: 23798E, 23800E
Engraved and silver-plated steel, ivory grips. Probably engraved by Colt master engraver Gustave Young.
Presented to Lieutenant Alfred Haines by the men of Company D, 2nd New Jersey Cavalry.

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Schuetzen Display

Stevens Arms Number 52 Ideal "Schuetzen" rifle with telescopic sight, 1897-1916.  Caliber: .22 long rifle   Serial number: 9331

Stevens Arms Number 54 Ideal "Schuetzen" rifle with telescopic sight, 1896-1916.  Caliber: .28-30  Serial number: 9420

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 Marlin Modern Luxury Guns

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Early Guns - 1500s - 1700s

Kentucky Long Rifles

John Philip Beck .44 caliber flintlock long rifle presented to George Washington in 1791.
Beck is regarded as one of the finest builders of long rifles and the most important gun maker of his region.

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