“nra national sporting arms museum”

The wheellock represents a major first in technology—and became the world’s first banned pistol.

While semi-automatic pistols are in common use throughout the world today, the semi-automatic revolver is a much rarer item.

Henry Deringer of Philadelphia was already well known for his rifles and larger handguns when he turned his efforts toward manufacturing smaller pocket pistols.

When a museum gets a bequest, sometimes the gift winds up being much more extensive than anticipated.

Peter Paul and Wilhelm Mauser wanted to create a revolver that would really stand out from the competition at the 1879 German military handgun trials—and with their Model 1878, dubbed the “Zig-Zag,” they had succeeded.

A .45-cal. recreation of a classic American flintlock long rifle with a 42-inch barrel is on display.

Aside from being the smallest semi-automatic pistol ever made, the diminutive Kolibri also claimed the title for the smallest center-fire handgun cartridge.

New York Police Sgt. John D’Allara was one of the first responders at the World Trade Center (WTC) on Sept. 11, 2001. His gun is on display at a museum now.

These gold-washed and silver-plated pistols feature fine New York engraving in the style of L.D. Nimschke.