An Army General’s Gun

by
posted on April 4, 2017
040417_legends.jpg

Born in 1860 in Kentucky, this young boy grew up the son of an Army lieutenant colonel. It was a childhood that led him to decide on the military at a young age, and he entered the U.S. Military Academy in 1877. 

He went on to serve as chief ordnance officer during the Spanish-American War and, post-war, was named chief of the Small Arms Division for the Ordnance Department. He supervised development of the Springfield rifle during this time.

After a brief retirement from the Army, he returned to service when the U.S. entered World War I in 1917. In his position as director of arsenals, he oversaw small arms production and was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal. 

By 1920, with the war long over, he was serving as president of the Auto Ordnance Corporation and was in charge of engineering for the creation, manufacture and inspection of a gun that would ultimately be used by the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

Click here to learn more about the gun shown here and the Army general behind it. It’s just one of the many fascinating treasures on display at the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va.

Latest

cocking a handgun
cocking a handgun

Gun Skills | Training Grip Strength

It is imperative to balance the strengthening of your hands to best embrace this constitutional freedom and to avoid any injuries in the process.

Gun Review | Beretta 92XI

Fans of both the 1911 and the iconic Beretta 92 are going to find a friend in this introduction.

Americans Are Taking Their Safety Into Their Own Hands

Across the country, Americans are waking up to something citizens of this nation have long known: You need to be your own first responder.

John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director, Discusses Our Biggest Legislative Battles

There are still many battles ahead in the defense of our Second Amendment and NRA-ILA is always leading the charge.

From Bad to Worse for Canadian Gun Owners?

Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse for beleaguered Canadian gun owners, that’s exactly what happens.

The Armed Citizen® May 9, 2025

True stories of the right to keep and bear arms



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.