Fort Bridger certainly doesn't look like those old westerns - far from it - instead it looks "real"

The small Fort Bridger in Wyoming, outside the town of the same name, is well off the beaten path but it is a unique and hidden gem. While lacking displays of scale of larger institutions, this museum retains the feel of frontier life in the 19th century. Its small collection is quite impressive, and for anyone passing nearby this is certainly worth the stop!  (Click images for a closer view)

The old sentry box, imagine having to stand in there all day

A display of American soldiers circa the post-Civil War

A diorama that showed the lawout of the Fort Bridger in the 1880s

An American uniform from the 1840s, the era about when the fort was established

A fine collection of long guns from the middle of the 19th century

Another diorama, which shows the crude early forts on the frontier

Long guns and "six shooters" from the post-American Civil War era

Some excellent examples of Colt sidearms!

International Military Antiques (IMA) is one of the premier sellers of such historical items, as well as other unique oddities and collectibles. We talked to owners Christian and Alexander Cranmer last fall about their business, how they got started and what the future might hold for collectors: Gun Collecting: IMA Offers an Alternative for Machinegun Collectors

And now in addition to parts kits, and replicas they are offering some fine resin guns as well.

Display Machine Guns at IMA-USA.com

The White Tower - the original "Tower of London" built by William the Conquer

The Tower of London is more than just a tower, it is a full complex – once it served as a royal palace and center of government. Officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, the Tower of London is one of the city’s most popular tourist attraction and contains the old royal arsenal. It is also a museum that is home to a museum within for the Royal Fusiliers! The Tower of London is a site of mystery and history, and one worth visiting. (Click images for a closer view)

Just part of the royal arsenal of fireamrs dating from the 16th to 18th centuries

A collector's dream of pristine firearms

Yet more swords and firearms to capture the imagination

A 17th Century Zischagge helmet of the type used in the English Civil War

A common rumor suggests that "If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."

While expected at Buckingham Palace, foot guards are also posted at the Tower (can readers identify the regiment of this guard)

Within the Royal Fusiliers Museum is an Eagle from Napoleon's forces - captured by the regiment in 1809

We must ask, why can’t the media see value in other vintage firearms? Why is it that the media taints firearms except when those are tied to colorful criminals from 80 years ago? Shouldn’t the firearms used by heroes in World War II be of value as well?

International Military Antiques (IMA) is one of the premier sellers of such historical items, as well as other unique oddities and collectibles. We talked to owners Christian and Alexander Cranmer last fall about their business, how they got started and what the future might hold for collectors: Gun Collecting: IMA Offers an Alternative for Machinegun Collectors

And now in addition to parts kits, and replicas they are offering some fine resin guns as well.

Display Machine Guns at IMA-USA.com

The plaque that honors Col. John Frost near the Bridge at Arnhem

The movie A Bridge Too Far chronicled the plight of the British 1st Airbourne Division, supported by the Glider Pilot Regiment and Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade. While the movie does the story justice, the actual museum in nearby Ossterbeek is impressive, with artifacts from the engagement. Here is just a sampling of the museum’s collection, along with photos from the center of Arnhem. (Click images for a closer look)

The bridge today is far from too far to visit when in the Netherlands

A plaque at the city shows "then" and "now"

A M3 "Grease Gun" at the Airborne Museum Oosterbeek

An M1 Carbine - likely used by an American paratrooper during Operation Market Garden

German small arms of World War II

Uniforms of the German forces in Holland in 1944, along with various small arms - note the international rifles, including Mosin Nagent on the wall

German Panzerfauts and Panzerschreck

A German MG42 machine gun, and a German MG34 standing upright (left)

More German uniform displays

British Webley revolvers - which remained a common sidearm of NCOs and officers in World War II

Allied uniform displays

Examples of British uniforms and equipment used in Market Garden

What would SHOT Show be without Ted Nugent?

Another year, another great SHOT Show. Here is a recap of some of the best sights from the 2012 SHOT Show. (Click images for a closer view)

Whether going for the Gangster look or want a semi-automatic version of the WWII Thompson, these were at SHOT Show

Austria's Styer offered the big bad .50 caliber "sniper rifle"

The US Army has used shotguns for more than 100 years, but the M26 is the first to "official designated" shotgun - available as a standalone or under mount on an AR-15 frame

Ain't no black magic, but there was plenty of black powder!

Dixie Gun Works offered a very fine selection of hand guns

The "zombie" craze was big with targets at SHOT Show this year

Century Arms once again had a booth full of impressive small arms from around the globe

For nearly a hundred years the .50 has done the job!

The current issue MICH combat helmets, available for law enforcement

Honeywell produces the material that goes into the modern ballistic helmet

A variety of Honeywell's helmets for domestic and international sales

(Click image for a closer view)

There was no shortage of firearms at this week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and there certainly were many that turned heads. But our favorite by far was the GSG (German Sports Guns) GSG StG 44, a modern recreation of the infamous first “assault rifle.” This version, which will be available later this spring, is chambered in .22LR, so it will be ready for the range, cheap to shoot and yet will still look menacing. Why settle for a mere Airsoft or replica when you can buy this one that can be used for some good old .22 shooting?

The StG 44 in .22LR broken down at SHOT Show

This newly made .22LR version looks much like the original "assault rifle" from World War II

As with other GSG firearms the devil is in the details!

Each GSG StG44 will come with its own wood shipping crate

Promotional information from the manufacturer

Personally we'll take the gun!

The GSG StG44 will arrive this spring

Owning a piece of history is something special. Owning a piece of history that is actually a machinegun requires a lot of special paperwork and hassle. The alternative is to get a historic item that doesn’t actually fire. While that might seem like half the fun is missing, think of half the fun you get for having a fantastic display item – one that is generally legal to own and still looks quite impressive.

International Military Antiques (IMA) is one of the premier sellers of such historical items, as well as other unique oddities and collectibles. We talked to owners Christian and Alexander Cranmer last fall about their business, how they got started and what the future might hold for collectors: Gun Collecting: IMA Offers an Alternative for Machinegun Collectors

And now in addition to parts kits, and replicas they are offering some fine resin guns as well.

Display Machine Guns at IMA-USA.com

(Click images for a larger view)

The French get a bad rap for being “losers,” and in fairness in the 20th century they not have fielded the best army. But France has a long military tradition, and this is showcased at the truly impressive Musée de l’Armée, Les Invalides in Paris, which also happens to be the final resting place of the Emperor Napoleon. Whether the French Army deserves its reputation, this museum should have a reputation all its own!

Napoleon's tomb is at the Musee de Armee

The museum's collection spans from the Middle Ages to the Modern Day

A pre-World War I uniform, which could have replaced the blue and red uniforms of the French Army

World War I machine guns

A variety of French pre-World War I headgear

French Colonial Uniforms from the First World War

A variety of Russian uniforms from the First World War

British uniforms - Grenadier Guard, Rifle Regiment and HIghlander

The museum even calls in some heavy artillery

A German FG-42 "Paratrooper" automatic rifle

Various German World War II small arms including a K98 (top), MP40 (center) and StG44 (bottom)

French Renault FT 17 tank