Dallas Arms Collector brings in .54 caliber rifle to NRA Convention

Houston, Texas - While on the road the Annual Meeting in Houston, the boys from NRANews kidnapped Philip Schreier (Senior Curator for the NRA National Firearms Museum) for the better part of a Sunday afternoon. With Phil hitting the road for an extended stay at your better Best Westerns and Holiday Inns for the better part of two months, there was a need to get a few episodes of Curator's Corner in the can. All they needed was a handful of guns and a quiet corner of the George R. Brown Center. Guess which was easier to find.

As luck would have it, there's a Gun Collector's Competition at every NRA Convention. Handpicking a favorite or two, Phil was about to convince collectors with the top displays to come on camera with a gun and a story. This week's entry comes from Dallas Arms.

Cletus Klein from the Dallas Arms Collectors Association to be specific. Seems Cletus got his hands on an 1850s era Plains Rifle made by a Mr. Samuel Hawken of St. Louis, Missouri. Just what Phil was hoping for.

"To see the exceptional work on such fine guns is a real treat," said Schreier. "There are a lot of people out there with a Hakwen's rifle, but there aren't many people out there with a Hawken rifle like that."

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get a shot of Cletus' rifle, so we're share shots of a similar rifle here at the National Firearms Museum. But that doesn't mean you have to miss it too.

Just make sure to tune in to Sportsman Channel tonight around 5:40pm as Cam & Company presents the latest edition of Curator's Corner from Texas.

From Tennessee to Texas with Elvis Presley's 357 Magnum

Houston, Texas - There was plenty to see during the 142nd NRA Annual Meeting in Texas. Celebrities like Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Ted Nugent, manufacturers like Otis, Marlin and Colt along with plenty of shotguns, rifles and pistols for all. But unless you sneaked into a closed set filming of Curator's Corner, you probably didn't see this gun.

What we have here is the gun of royalty. The King. Elvis himself.

"Mr. Tom Morgan, from Whiteville, Tennessee brought in a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum Revolver, serial number 688344," explained National Firearms Senior Curator Philip Schreier. "According to the pictures and provenance, this highly engraved and inlaid revolver once belong to Elvis Aaron Presley."

As the story goes, Elvis bought the revolver - carved and inlaid with gold and silver designs including a bear, bobcat, moose, mountain lion, puma, deer and antelope - from a sporting goods store in Beverly Hills. The gun, along with a personalized "Elvis" carrying case, traveled with the King everywhere.

In fact, it was momentarily in the possession of then Vice President Spiro Agnew ... who returned it due to concerns about the King's legal standings. In time the 357 Magnum (along with pictures of the Elvis with the gun and the registration) made it way to Mr. Morgan. He was nice enough to bring it to the NRA Convention.

Now if you didn't make it to the convention, or you weren't invited to the closed set, that doesn't mean you're out of luck. You can still see it this afternoon on Sportsman Channel around 5:40pm eastern time during another edition of NRANews.

Pirate Pistols, Revolutionary Shotguns and Buffalo Rifles at NRA Convention

Houston, Texas - With great old guns comes great responsibilities. Okay, so that's a touch to close to Spiderman, but the principal is pretty much the same. But let's go a step further. That's accept the face that with great old guns come great old stories. And there there plenty of great stories to be had yesterday at the NRA Antique Guns and Gold Showcase.

Manned by experts throughout the firearm industry, including Guns & Ammo writers and Blue Book of Gun Values publishers (along with a few cats from the National Firearms Museum), the Antique Guns and Gold Showcase was an opportunity for people to bring in that rifle, pistol or shotgun that's be sitting in the closet for ages and find out what it's worth. Better yet, some even had a story to go along with the guns.

One great tale came for a young lady who brought in her father's shotgun.

"We found it when we cleaned out my mother's house. My dad sold truck parts and I'm sure that he traded some part for this gun somewhere down the line. Course we had no idea what it was so we brought it here and found out it's a Darne."

"Our expert here, Steve I think his name is, said we need to take this to an auction house and we should come back with a tidy sum."

Another one dates back to the Mexican Revolution.

"My Grandfather used this shotgun to fight off revolutionaries during the Mexican Revolution," said one Texas native. "They came into town, started shooting things up, and he protected his home and my grandmother with this shotgun.

"Years later, my mother used it to fight off a robber. So this gun has a very important history with my family. It helped protect generations."

Others arrived with claims of famous outlaws, legendary movie stars, wild west shootouts and even a pirate tale or two. Frankly, there was so much going on that we probably missed some real treasures.

Luckily we weren't the safety net. That job was left to the hosts of NRA's Guns and Gold (Monday nights on Sportsman Channel).

There with a seven cameras, dozens and lights and all the expertize that one could hope for, all of our experts funneled the truly amazing guns to the Jim Supica and Philip Schreier. There, on camera, they told the owners about the manufacturer of the gun, the history of the gun and finally the price of the gun.

While we can't go into the details here, trust me when I say they were something to behold.

But that doesn't mean you're never going to see those guns. In fact, if you tune into Season Three of NRA's Guns and Gold on Sportsman Channel, then you'll have a front row view.

Until then, here's a look at the wonders we did see:

Five guns from the NRA Museum tell the history of America

Fairfax, Virginia - Remember when we told you how The Blaze TV came down to Fairfax for a look at a few of our treasured guns here at the National Firearms Museum?

Remember how everyone kept asking when that footage was going to hit the air?

Well we finally have you're answer ... today at 5.

Closer to 5:40pm according to producers of the show. And we'd like to think they have a little insight when it comes to the schedule.

Launched by political commentator Glenn Beck (the keynote speaker for the Annual Meeting's Stand & Fight Rally), The Blaze is a news website/television network. An internet bound entity at first, The Blaze is airing on the Dish Network.

As we told you in the original article, the primary focus of the shoot was the Mayflower Gun. Discovered in a secret hiding place inside original Mayflower colonist John Alden's home, the Mayflower Gun is believed to be the first firearm to reach American soil.

Other guns that made the list include:

• A Brown Bess Flintlock Musket
• A Sharps Rifle
• Roosevelt's Model 3 Fabrique Nationale Model 1900 Semi Automatic Pistol
• A 1911 pistol carried by Congressional Medal of Honor award recipient Joe Foss

Each gun highlights a significant point in American History, be that an important point in American History or an important point in the evolution of firearms. Either way, there are plenty of firearms to choose from here inside the NRA Museum.

"When we welcome a tour or a film crew to the National Firearms Museum, it's not long before you see their eyes light up," said NRA Museum Director Jim Supica. "Their blown away by the size of the collection and the stories behind the guns. It's a great way to learn more about America's history."

You will have your chance to learn a little more history by tuning into The Blaze TV at 5:40 this afternoon.

Over-Under Browning Shotgun ejects shells to the side instead of the top

Fairfax, Virginia - When we turn to NRANews' Curator's Corner that usually means we're turning to NRA National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Philip Schreier. And when it comes to the guns that Schreier turns to, that's when he turns to the unusual.

The Over-Under Browning Superposed Shotgun is a prime example.

"It's a highly unique twist, turn and side eject," said Schreier. "It's the one firearm system that I'm dying to try in the field."

What that means is the instead of breaking on the top, it breaks on the side.

"Most shotguns require you to drop the gun down, open it up and the shells fly in your face. With this one, you can just twist it and pop it so the shells fly away from you. Makes perfect sense."

Manufactured in Leigh, Belgium, the over-under represents the high end of engraved arms made under the Browning trademark. And the functional simplicity is easy to envy.

"It's definitely a high dollar item," said Schreier. "Some of the items here at the museum you can just look at them and tell why they failed in the field. This one — pure genius."

Now while we can't promise you the opportunity to give the gun a try, there is a place where you can give the gun a look. That's on Sportsman Channel.

Airing this afternoon, roughly around 5:40pm, John Popp will welcome Schreier on the Curator's Corner stage for an up close and personal look at this special Browning Superposed. Just a twist and turn and you're ready to go.

Five Beretta highlights brought out of the National Firearms Museum

Fairfax, Virginia - With all the action and buildup to the Annual Meeting in Houston, you'd think there was little time for anything else here at NRA Headquarters ... not true. That's why we rearranged our schedules and opened our doors when World of Beretta asked for a few moments of our time.

Airing on Sportsman Channel, the World of Beretta television show travel from the factories to the fields while putting their guns to the test by hunters and shooters around the world. They arrived at the NRA, more specifically the National Firearms Museum, for a few prized pieces in the museum's collection.

"Because of his extensive and respected knowledge and expertise in the world of firearms, we asked Phil Schreier (Senior Curator for the National Firearms Museum) to serve as on camera expert for five sets of guns," said World of Beretta Director Dan Gagliasso.

The guns in question are:

• The Mayflower Gun, a 17th Century Wheel-Lock Carbine
• The Giovanni Beretta Folding Stock Snaphaunce pistol
• The Beretta "Set of Four" big game rifles
• The Beretta "Set of Five" S09 Over and Under Shotguns
• The Die Hard/Lethal Weapon Beretta 92

Standing side by side with host Skip Knowles, Schreier walked the crew through the halls while explaining the elegance and craftsmanship of all twelve. How the Mayflower's barrel was most likely a Beretta, the popularity of the 92 after Die Hard came out, how the Snaphaunce was an early example of a conceal carry gun, and then there were the sets.

While we could go into an explanation of the guns, here's what the museum has on their website:

The result of a unique collaboration between Ugo Beretta and fellow hunter Robert Jepson, the Beretta Set of Four is a spectacular group of double rifles, each engraved to reflect the African big game species of the lion, the cape buffalo, the rhino, and the elephant. Each rifle is chambered for an appropriate caliber, from .30-'06 to 600 Nitro Express. The fine bulino engraving was executed by Master Engraver Angelo Galeazzi.

Though the final air schedule has yet to be set in stone, Skip and Dan have promised to keep us in the loop. As soon as we know where the World of Beretta lands, we'll let you know.

National Firearms Museum closes the Maltese Falcon exhibit after 3 years

Fairfax, Virginia - Almost three years ago today, a true Hollywood legend walked into the National Firearms Museum. Well, the legend rolled more then walked. For it was neither a woman or man who entered the museum — it was a thing. A statue. The Hollywood statue. The Maltese Falcon.

For thirty months and twenty some odd days, the Maltese Falcon has called the National Firearms Museum home. Sitting in a place of honor, beside the .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolver Clint Eastwood used in the first Dirty Harry movies, the falcon went practically unnoticed to the untrained eye. But once recognized, it produced the ultimate affect that every curator hopes for when displaying a new artifact — a smile.

"The Maltese Falcon is the quintessential example of Film Noir," said Phil Schreier, Senior Curator for the National Firearms Museum. "It has everything you could ever want. A classic whodunit on back alley streets of San Francisco. Sydney Greenstreet as the bad guy searching for the Falcon, Mary Astor plays the damsel in distress and Bogie is everybody's favorite private eye — Sam Spade."

For those unfamiliar with the 1930 Dashiell Hammett , here's the Reader's Digest version.

Miles Archer has been killed. His partner, Sam Spade, is the prime suspect. To clear his name and find his friend's murderer, Spade parries with a devilish woman and collection of bad guys who are trying to find the falcon -- a jewel-encrusted statue intended for Charles V in the sixteenth century.

When the Falcon arrived, there were crowds of staff, anxious curators and a collection of camera crews from local news stations. When it left, a few days ago, the crowds had dwindled down to a couple of curators repacking a crate to the sound of eighteen inch bolts being ravaged by power tools.

"We've been lucky enough to exhibit the Falcon for a few years now," said Schreier. "Though only here for a moment, for an ever fleeting moment, it is one of those experiences that I will always treasure.

"After all, to quote Sam Spade, it's the stuff that dreams are made of."

Now that the Falcon is gone, we can finally share a story about the day, the very day, that the bird was delivered to the National Firearms Museum.

According to sources close to the statue, "a contingency" arrived at the Warner Brothers Museum from the 2009 White House. Top on their list was to see the Maltese Falcon. Alas, it was no longer there. No word on whether a similar visit was scheduled to the NRA Museum.

---

The original story, posted earlier this month, was pulled due to security concerns while the Falcon was in transit.

NRA Curators put rifles, pistols and shotguns in front of the cameras for Sportsman Channel

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Twice a year, curators from the NRA National Firearms Museum trek out to the Tulsa Fairgrounds' Expo Center for Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show. One of the largest (if not the largest) gun shows the country has ever seen, Wanenmacher's is the perfect place to find the final piece of your prized gun collection. For the NRA curators, it's also the perfect place to shoot upcoming episodes of NRA's Guns and Gold.

Airing Monday nights on Sportsman Channel, NRA's Guns and Gold follows NRA Museum Director Jim Supica and Senior Curator Philip Schreier as they travel around the United States appraising firearms. The spring show in Tulsa put their curatorial powers to the test.

"They were coming out of the woodwork," said Supica. "Old and new, rifles and shotguns, pistols and revolvers, a few fakes as well as a treasure or two. It was a good weekend."

Practically a staple of the museum's travel schedule, Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show offers eleven acres of arms to be Oohed and Aaahed over a two day weekend. To see it all, you can spend all of 15.8 a seconds taking in each table ... that means if you want to see it all then you might have to go more than once.

"We encourage the public to bring in their guns to sell, trade or for free appraisal," show founder Joe Wanenmacher told NRANews. "We invite families to come out. In fact, right now, we're seeing the third generation (attending the show) since I've been working on the gun show."

Next stop on the Guns & Gold tour is the Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas.

As the primary attraction for Thursday afternoon, museum staff along with NRA Board Members and industry experts will occupy the second floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center from 2pm until 5pm for the Antique Guns & Gold Showcase. If there's a firearm you've just been itching to get appraised then this is your chance. There's also a shot of getting on the show.

"Just be forewarned," said Schreier. "If our producers ask you to be on the show, that means you're either in possession of a rare find or an incredibly elaborate fake. Either way, the truth shall be revealed."

Spencer marketed as the first successful repeating pump action shotugn

Fairfax, Virginia - "The shotgun is the mother of all guns."

At least that's what Philip Schreier thinks. Given that he's the Senior Curator for the NRA National Firearms Museum, you should probably take what he thinks into account.

"It dates back to the hand cannons of the 1300s. Shrink it down from the hand cannon and basically you have a scatter gun. That's all it has been and ever will be."

What inspired such ruminations from our Senior Curator? The Spencer Arms slide action repeating shotgun.

"Civil War buffs know the name Christopher Spencer because of the self contained metalic cartridge carbine rifle. It's what Colonel Custer's troops were armed with during the Battle of Gettysburg.

"But few people know that Spencer also made what was billed as the first successful repeating pump action shotgun."

The Spencer Repeating Shotgun, invented back in 1882 by Christopher Spencer, is a standard pump action shotgun. The look and operation is basically the same as any other pump action. The difference comes in the pump.

Rack it back and action does two things: flips up the spend shell out the top and cycles a new one into the chamber. Such a feat can be challenging.

"It's a very interesting operation," said Schreier.

"The internal Rube Goldberg-esque design did not last long."

But it lasted long enough. Long enough gain the attention of Francis Bannerman Sons of New York. Bannerman, a famed military arms surplus house, purchased the patent and manufacturing rights from Spender and sold similar models until 1907.

For a look at the Spencer Arms Repeating Shotgun, tune in today at 5:40 eastern standard time to the Sportsman Channel. That's when today's episode of Curator's Corner on NRANews hits the air. It is there that you'll see the 'interesting' action in action.

Judge the practicality for yourself.

Film Crew from The Blaze arrives in Fairfax for firearms shoot

Fairfax, Virginia - The closer we draw to the NRA Convention in Houston (21 days until Texas!), the more activity there is here at headquarters. More phone calls, more visitors and more film crews looking for that last piece of firearms related news before the Annual Meetings begins. Like the one here today from The Blaze.

Launched almost three years ago by political commentator Glenn Beck (the keynote speaker for the Annual Meeting's Stand & Fight Rally), The Blaze is a news website/television network. Soley an internet bound entity at first, The Blaze can now be found on the Dish Network.

The focus of this week's Blaze visit was the NRA National Firearms Museum.

Starting early, crews staked out various locations throughout the fifteen galleries of the museum. But that was the easy part. The tough part was figuring out which guns best tell the story of America.

"We offered a number of suggestions for the show," said NRA Museum Director Jim Supica. "We finally broke it down to five. Five firearms that represent several stages of American history."

Of the five firearms chosen, we can confirm that one was the Mayflower Gun.

An Italian wheel-lock carbine, the Mayflower Gun was brought to the New World back in 1620 by John Alden. When he landed with his fellow travelers on Plymouth Rock, Alden stepped off the good ship Mayflower with hopes, dreams and this very Italian carbine in hand. It is one of the most sacred treasures here at the National Firearms Museum.

"This gun might be responsible for harvesting the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving turkey," Supica said.

After a full day of filming, producers called it a wrap. A long day of efforts rewarded with a train ride back to the Big Apple. There was no other option.

"If we stayed any longer then we'd never get out," said one producer. "There's just so much to see at your museum. We could get lost in here for days."

To catch the final product, tune into The Blaze website or their Dish Network channel on April 29th.

Winchester Model 1887 Shotguns works with a Browning designed Lever Action

Fairfax, Virginia - Winter's arid chill has been replaced with the promise of warmth and honeysuckle as springtime returns to the National Firearms Museum. The coats are lighter, the sun is brighter, and the days are longer than those from long months past. Springtime brings but one thing to mind for Senior Curator Philip Schreier; shotguns.

"It's time to dust off our shotguns, our plus fours and tweeds and head to the skeet/trap fields to enjoy the rites of spring passage."

Today, for Curator's Corner, Schreier is dusting off a relatively rare Winchester Model 1887 Lever Action Shotgun. Yes, a lever action shotgun. Bet this is a first for most of you out there ... I know it was for me.

"What we have here is a John Browning designed lever action repeating shotgun. You have the tubular magazine for 12 or 10 gauge rounds - this particular guns in a 10 gauge. All you have to do is work the action.

"For those who were already sold on the slick action of the Winchester rifles appreciated the same design in a shotgun."

Here's where the problems arise.

You walk into the shop, see the shotgun, and fall in love with the look and design. Then you take it out into the field. Load it, shoot it and cock the action. That's when notice the problem.

"Problem is that to get that long shell to go up in the chamber, this is a big receiver back here, so it's a little awkward to work."

But it wasn't too awkward for Arnold.

That's right, for you Terminator fans out there, the Winchester Model 1887 is the shotgun Arnold takes from the bar owner at the beginning of Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Thought that version was of the sawed off variety, they both have the same difficulties when it comes to working the action.

To see Phil muscle on through, tune in at 5:40 to NRANews on the Sportsman Channel. If you like what you see, then come back next week. For just like Arnold, Phil will be back.

National Firearms Museum exhibits at Wanenmacher's Tulsa Gun Show

Tulsa, Oklahoma - April 6th & 7th marks the return of Wanenmacher's Tulsa Gun Show. 11 acres of rifles, pistols, shotguns and accessories for experienced and novice gun owners and collectors alike. A tiny portion of all those acres will be taken up by the NRA's National Firearms Museum. That and a little bit more.

"We're filming more episode of NRA's Guns and Gold," said National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica. "Every year we see an incredible collection of guns here in Tulsa. That's why we keep coming back."

Pulling patrons from the show floor, producers for NRA's Guns and Gold go in search of the historic, the eclectic, and the unusual. Guns that will make the home viewers bridge to the edge of their couch and say wow. Guns like the one the museum brought for display.

"For the Spring 2013 show, we brought out the Colt Vampire Hunter," said NRA Senior Curator Philip Schreier. "A sidearm Van Helsing himself would have been proud to bear."

A customized Colt .38 Special Detective Special revolver, the Vampire Hunter comes with bats engraved on the cylinder, nosferatu-headed projectiles, and a customized coffin carrying case. Truly one of a kind.

"If you're not here in Tulsa this weekend, then the only place you can see this wonderful piece of craftsmanship is at the NRA Museum in Fairfax," said Schreier. "Either way, we'll be happy to show you around."

Wanenmacher's Tulsa Gun Show is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm today and from 8:00am to 4:00pm tomorrow. $10 for adults and $3 for kids under 12. Gawking over the Vampire Hunter is free.

Shotgun from 1866 rotates cartridges like a six-shooter

Fairfax, Virginia - With shotguns scattered all over the news, Senior Curator Philip Schreier couldn't help but pull out a few favorites for this month's collection on Curator's Corner. Favorites here at the National Firearms Museum that most people have probably never seen.

"When we look at firearms technology and advancements, what people purchased or bought very early on, firearms were a necessity," Schreier explained. "They were a necessary piece of inventory if you chose to live out on the plains.

"In the immediate post Civil War era, firearms begin to take on a more recreational aspect. Instead of struggling to provide sustenance for the dinner table, therre was leisure time for almost the first time in history. That's when the Roper Shotgun came along. "

Produced in Amherst, Massachusetts from 1867 to 1868 (and in Hartford, Connecticut from 1869 to 1876), the Roper was designed by one Sylvester Roper. This avid inventor applied a little revolver technology to this frontier favorite. That resulted in a four-shot shotgun back when one was the benchmark.

"They fire in very clever fashion. You open the top gate and see this bolt. When you cock it, the bolt retracts all the way back and the round action brings another cartridge into play. You fire, bring it back, and it rotates a new round into place."

Unfortunately for Stanley, he was done in by another of his inventions; a steam powered velocipede. (I had to look it up too ... basically a motorcycle.) While taking the veloci out for spin, he died after flying off the Charles River bicycle track.

But to see one of Roper's more successful inventions, tune in to the Sportsman Channel at 5:40pm this afternoon as NRANews comes back to the National Firearms Museum for Curator's Corner.

See the Roper action in action!