International Museums: Airborne Museum Ossterbeek and Arnhem
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) Read more
International Museums: Musée de l’Armée, Les Invalides
(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! Read more
International Museums: Arizona Military Museum
(Click images for a closer view)
A hidden gem of a museum is right outside the city of Phoenix. This is the Arizona Military Museum, which is housed in a raw adobe building was constructed in 1936 as a Depression-era public works project. It served as a National Guard arsenal until World War II, when it was converted into a maintenance shop for German prisoners of war confined at a nearby POW camp. The Arizona Military Museum is operated by the Arizona National Guard Historical Society. Read more
GUN BUYBACK PROGRAMS – LOSING OUR HISTORY
A Gun Buyback program took place last week in Plainfield, NJ. Hosted by seven churches in the area, people were encouraged to turn their guns in, no questions asked, for up to $200 in cash. All weapons were turned over to police officers by the churches and subsequently destroyed.
Gun buyback programs are nothing new. There are those who feel that based on the type and condition of the weapons recovered they are simply a waste of time and more of a public relations event. And there are those people who feel that taking any gun off the “streets” (or out of someone’s attic) helps make our communities safer. Many guns collected in buyback programs are not in working order or the type used in crimes today. If you live in New Jersey and are familiar with the strict gun control laws in the state, then you also might have additional concerns regarding the ability of churches to legally “buy” guns from anonymous sellers. (For more information on the debate regarding the possible legality of the issue in New Jersey, visit Attorney Evan Nappan’s website.) Read more
Sponsor Special: Grease Gun
The United States had a good thing going with the Thompson submachine gun in World War II, but it was expensive to produce. The country needed a cheaper version, and thus came the M3, a stamped metal firearm that was similar to the British Sten Gun.
For collectors the M3 “Grease Gun” is like a Holy Grail, simply because there aren’t out there. But now our friends at International Military Antiques have created an excellent resin copy that is prefect for display.
On sale this weekend only! Read more
Sponsor Special: Mauser Broomhandle C-96
Mauser C-96 “Broomhandle” was one of those guns that changed everything. It has a unique design and was a reliable firearm. Winston Churchill carried one in India and the Sudan, and it was used throughout both World Wars.
A nice one today will set you back a couple thousand dollars, but now our friends at International Military Antiques have a new high quality replica that looks just like the real deal. While it won’t shoot, it will look very nice in the display cabinet!
New Made Item: IMA is proud to offer a high quality affordable full metal and wood replica of the famous German WWI Mauser C96 pistol. Many may also recognize this gun as the same that Han Solo (Harrison Ford) used in the Star Wars films.
The Mauser C96 (Construktion 96) is a semi-automatic pistol that was originally produced by German arms manufacturer Mauser from 1896 to 1937. Unlicensed copies of the gun were also manufactured in Spain and China in the first half of the 20th century. The main distinctive identifying characteristics of the C-96 are the integral box magazine in front of the trigger, the long barrel, the wooden shoulder stock which can double as a holster or carrying case, and a grip shaped like the handle of a broom. The grip’s distinctive appearance earned the gun the nickname “Broomhandle” in the English-speaking world, and in China the C96 was nicknamed the “box cannon” because of both its square-shaped internal magazine and the fact it could be holstered in its wooden box-like detachable stock.
The Mauser C96, with its shoulder stock, long barrel and high-velocity cartridge, had superior range and better penetration than most other standard pistols; the 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge was the highest velocity commercially manufactured pistol cartridge in existence until the advent of the .357 Magnum cartridge in 1935.
German Mauser C96 Display Pistol at IMA-USA.com
Museum Sees Guns As History
It is far and few between when we come across a story as compelling as the one that appeared in Tulsa World this past weekend. The story tells how an American G.I. in World War II promised an antique pistol to a museum, and now finally the gun is finding a new home.
Here is the part so often lost in the media:
“These are the pieces of history,” said Wayne McCombs, executive director of the museum (J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum). “These are just tools that people use. But the stories that go with them are just fascinating.”
Consider all the guns destroyed after buybacks. How much history is lost? How many stories untold?
Sponsor Special: Non-firing Display M1 Carbine
Have a uniform display that needs a firearm? A good alternative to using a function gun is to have outfit it with a dummy, and our friends at International Military Antiques have plenty to chose from. If you are doing an American World War II officer display for Europe, USMC in the Pacific or even paratrooper, the M1 Carbine is a good option as this small version of the M1 was popular in both Europe and the Pacific. It was also used in Korea – but soldiers felt it lacked the necessary stopping power.
With original guns rising in price, and harder to find a dummy gun is a good alternative to the real deal for a uniform display or just mounting on the wall. Either way, it is a nifty little gun and this display looks and feels the part. Read more
Sponsor Special: Display Luger
The German P08 or “Luger” is one of the most iconic guns in the world. A nice example will set you back close to a $1000 today. Or if you’re just looking for a nice display, there is always another option. Our friends at International Military Antiques offer an excellent non-firing version that looks the part and displays quite well. Permits aren’t required and it doesn’t cost nearly as much as a real one.
New Made Item: All Steel construction with black plastic grips. 4? in barrel as issued to Germany Army officers in WW2. Action functions like the real thing and “clicks” when pulling the trigger, but it won?t shoot. P-08 Luger has a detachable magazine and the toggle moves and cocks. The striker and trigger work like the real thing. Another high quality WW2 display gun from IMA, its even the correct weight and comes complete with a detachable magazine. Ideal for Display or re-enactment at a very affordable price and it will look stunning in any of our hard or soft shell P-08 leather holsters!
German P-08 WW2 Luger New Made Display Pistol: Non-Firing from IMA-USA.com
Gun Collection Stolen in East Orange County Florida
We never like to report when guns are stolen, but we wanted to spread the word that George Hogan of East Orange County, Florida returned home to find 17 firearms from his collection missing. All were legally owned, and properly stored.
Thieves made off with a rare World War II British Sten Gun with suppressor, as well as a early 1900’s artillery model German Luger pistol and a Red 9 broom handle Mauser C-96 pistol.
Best wishes to Mr. Hogan in seeing his collection returned.
