Odds and ends from the Arsenal Museum

[tark]

Just a few random pics from the Rock Island Arsenal Museum. The first pic is of the Little Bighorn guns on the left case. Actual Indian weapons used in the battle The case on the right holds 1903 Springfield, R.I.A. manufacture, serial # 1, the middle rifle.

The second pic is of four T-25 rifles. These were in competition to replace the Garand. Made by Remington in the early fifties, they employed a twenty round magazine and were select fire. All four guns are the same basic rifle, but with different experimental stocks and sights. Two are missing the rear sights and the second rifle is missing the pistol grip. They did not pass the trials, but the army did adopt the experimental cartridge they were chambered for and re-named it the 7.62 NATO.

The cannon is an 1890 model 3.2 inch cannon. It was one of the Army's first breech loading cannons, preceded only by the model 1885. A later model, the 1897 followed. These cannons were used in the Spanish American war, the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion.

The last pic was taken while the Remington Historical Society was in town. I am sitting with Roy Marcot, noted authority on all things Remington and many things that aren't. Roy has written several books about Remington's and just finished a book on percussion Sharps.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Always love your RIA posts, Tark! Too cool!

 

[tark]

More to come! We gotta inventory those babies every three months, Army Regulations! One of these days I'll get my hands on 1903 serial# 1. It normally never leaves the case and is inventoried in place. Here's another tidbit. I am holding an 1860 model cavalry saber made by Ames Mfg. Co. It belonged to Major General John Buford, of Gettysburg fame. Buford saved the Union on the first day of the battle, by holding off Heth's division for one day, allowing the rest of the union army to arrive.

It is my favorite artifact that is not a gun.

 

[Odd Job]

That museum looks like the sort of place a person could lose more than a few hours in!

 

[Virginia Jim]

Nice pictures of old relics.

 

[bannockburn]

Odd Job

That museum looks like the sort of place a person could lose more than a few hours in!

For me it would be closer to spending a couple of days taking everything in!

Would love to check out the Imperial War Museum someday as well!

 

[bannockburn]

tark

Thanks for the photos...and keep them coming as it's always great to hear from you and to see what new treasure you've uncovered at the museum!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Man I wouldn’t get anything done if I worked there.