This U.S. senator was a prominent lawyer and political leader during the first half of the 1800s. The Missouri Democrat served five terms and was a staunch proponent of westward expansion. He was also an advocate for “hard money” such as gold coins or silver bullions over “soft money” like paper money and bank notes. His position on currency is what earned him the nickname “Old Bullion.”
Throughout his 30 years in the Senate, he played a significant role in shaping the United States. As a testament to his impact, his statue is on display at National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, and there’s also a statue of the senator in Lafayette Park in St. Louis, Mo.
Prior to engaging in politics, he was appointed a colonel in the Tennessee State Militia. He served under Colonel Andrew Jackson, who later went on to become America’s seventh president. It’s during that timeframe that the guns shown above came into significance.
Click here to learn more about this famous politician and his firearm. It’s one of the many fascinating treasures on display at the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va.
