Full-scale figures representing the 116th Regimental Combat Team of the 29th (Blue & Grey) Division at St. Lo, Normandy in France, show off various souvenirs collected during the heated Normandy campaign.

If there was a way to travel through time, visiting any part of history you wanted and looking at some of the most important historical influences, would you go? If you could see treasures carried over on the Mayflower, visit the Wild West or look at items from other significant times in history like the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm, wouldn’t you jump at the chance? Well, you can—visit a museum! There are different kinds of museums all across the world that celebrate a wide range of subjects from art and science to people and history. There are even museums that are soley dedicated to one subject, like cheese, hats, bananas, pencils—any or all of which, by the way, could be made from wax if you happen to be visiting a wax museum. With so many things to learn about, museums are a great place to visit. Not only will you learn a lot, but you’ll also have a blast doing it!

The National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va., is one such destination you and your family will definitely want to visit. The National Firearms Museum is around 15,000 square feet and displays historically significant firearms from 1350 to the present day. The exhibits are housed in more than 85 different exhibit cases in 15 galleries. There are more than 2,000 firearms in the museum that are on permanent display. The museum’s total collection of 3,500 guns makes it the largest collection east of the Mississippi River. It’s also the most diverse collection with a variety of civilian and military firearms, accoutrements, ammunition and accessories. Nearly all of the guns in the museum came from private donations.

During the summer you’ll probably embark on at least one family trip—hopefully it’s a fun one that will take you on a new adventure. If your parents are looking for input on where to go, fill them in on the National Fireams Museum. Whether you’re a history student or shooting sports enthusiast, the National Firearms Museum is a must see! But no matter where your summer vacation takes you, we hope it’s not just to summer school classes.

OLYMPIC GOLD

The 1960 Olympic gold medal won by Lt. Colonel William (Bill) McMillan for rapid fire pistol at the summer games held in Rome, Italy. McMillan’s medal is one of seven Olympic gold medals the museum has on exhibit.

JOHN WAYNE

The Winchester Model 1892 carbine and accoutrements attributed to John Wayne were featured in the 2002 museum exhibition, “Real Guns of Reel Heroes.” The exibit featured various guns from the Hollywood big screen.

FAMOUS FIREARMS

The 1990 film, “Quigley Down Under” created a sensation for the Sharps falling block breechloader. The film’s star Tom Selleck, donated one of the rifles—a Shiloh Sharps No. 3 “Quigley” .45-110—he used in the film.

Actor, NRA Board member and avid gun collector Tom Selleck has donated seven rifles and revolvers used in his films to the NRA National Firearms Museum.

Several of Mr. Selleck’s guns have been displayed in the museum, most notably one of the Shiloh Sharps rifles used in the blockbuster movie “Quigley Down Under.” The gun was featured in “Real Guns of Reel Heroes,” one of the museum’s all-time most popular exhibits. Commenting on his most recent donation, Mr. Selleck told NRAnews.com, “It got to the point where I had these guns in storage, and I just wanted people to see them, to share them. And I hope people think of the National Firearms Museum if they have something special they want to share, as well as The NRA Foundation for other kinds of gifts. It’s very satisfying.”

“We deeply appreciate Tom Selleck’s continued support of NRA and the freedoms we defend,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. “Thousands upon thousands of Americans visit the museum each year, and with the opportunity to display more of Tom’s personal firearms, we expect even greater public interest.” Kayne Robinson, Executive Director of NRA General Operations, added, “Tom Selleck is a very astute judge of firearms, and this is an extremely meaningful addition to the museum. The value of a gift like this is priceless.”

The donations from Mr. Selleck include the following:

• Henry .44-40 reproduction rifle imported from Italy by Allen Firearms, an early retailer of Western replicas. Mr. Selleck used a Henry from Stembridge Gun Rentals, a Hollywood prophouse for the 1997 film “Last Stand at Saber River.” Mr. Selleck had this rifle specially engraved to match that prophouse rifle, which was damaged from overuse in other films.


• Winchester M1876 .45-60 rifle modified by Ken Howell of R&D Gunshop for use by Tom Selleck in the 2001 film “Crossfire Trail.” Based on an original carbine receiver made in 1879, this longarm was rebuilt for movie use.


• .45 Schofield revolver from the 2001 film “Crossfire Trail.” This hand-built revolver was manufactured by Ken Howell of R&D Gun Shop for the film.


• Colt Richards Conversion .44 revolver manufactured for the 1997 movie “Last Stand at Saber River.” Engraved with Cable on the backstrap, this ivory-stocked revolver was the one maintained to match its early presentation condition in the film.


• Colt Open Top .44 revolver manufactured from a Colt blackpowder reproduction for use in Crossfire Trail. The revolver was modified by Ken Howell of R&D Gun Shop.


• Colt Single Action Army .45 revolver used in the 2003 movie “Monte Walsh.” This revolver was hand-built by Ken Howell of R&D Gun Shop for the film.


• Winchester M1886 .50 Express carbine from the 2003 movie “Monte Walsh.” One of two carbines restored from production receivers by Ken Howell of R&D Gun Shop. Both guns letter as .50 Express carbines.

GEN. BURNSIDE

General Ambrose E. Burnside, who went on to become the first president of the National Rifle Association, was the inventor the Burnside Carbine, which was used extensively during the Civil War. Pictured above is the Burnside 5th Model Carbine, which he donated.

SAVAGE MODEL 99

This Savage Model 99 is serial number 1,000,000 and was a gift to the NRA from The Savage Arms Company.

1950s DESIGN

From the Hopalong Cassidy floor covering to the western paint- by-numbers wall hangings, this replica of a kid’s room in the 1950s is probably a lot different than your room.

COMPETITION SHOOTING

Over 15 medals in Olympic shooting competition are awarded during the summer games. The National Firearms Museum has the largest collection of Olympic gold on exhibit in the country.

SHOOTING GALLERY

An original Coney Island shooting arcade is up and running after a lengthy restoration and refurbishment. Visitors will be surprised to be musically transported back to the days of the traveling carnival when they step close. Originally powered by steam when it was made in 1903, the arcade was converted to electricity in 1918.

DIRTY HARRY

On loan from famed Hollywood writer/director John Milius is the original “Dirty Harry” Model 29 S&W Magnum. The original “Make my day” pistol was a gift to Milius from Warner Brothers and Clint Eastwood for his work on making the script a classic, thus making the S&W a star unto itself.

ADDITIONAL INFO...

Admission to the museum is free and it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for major holidays. For more information, call (703) 267-1600, e-mail nfmstaff@nrahq.org or visit www.nationalfirearmsmuseum.org.