Montana hunt

Richard Flanders · 10-19-2016, 08:08 PM

I found just one wall cabinet of Parkers but this afternoon found another smaller display of six VERY upgraded V grades, as in deep Germanic engraving with gold inlays and stunning wood, in gauges from 410 to 12ga, all owned by the same owner. They are absolutely gorgeous. There are also a few on display in the basement, but nothing of any real rarity or condition. They are about to start a complete redo of the firearms section that will take 5 yrs or so and will add more interactive displays and put even more than the current 4000 guns on display. Getting the Olin collection was a real coup. They have un numbered J Browning and Winchester prototypes for the 1886 and 1892 and others. It's really something to see. It took a while to find but I finally found Winchester S/N 1 again. I also really liked the Winchester mod 63 .22auto that had a custom 45rd drum magazine in the butt and a silencer. It was made for a market goose hunter who wanted a lot of firepower but didn't to scare the flock away. Maybe there really is such a thing as the "good old days", eh?! Some of the most impressive guns in the entire place are the Coors collection of single shot target rifles. Lordy, they are gorgeous, but are displayed as low as ground level in bad light so you have to get on your knees to look at them and even then you can't see them well enough. Hopefully they remedy that in the redo.

Bill Jolliff · 10-19-2016, 11:50 PM

Visited the Buffalo Bill Historical Center at Cody about two years ago and it is truly impressive.

Picture of Teddy Roosevelt's F Grade Fox below.

Also of note downstairs are side by sides, mostly hammer guns donated by Bill Furnish. They are displayed vertically in pull out drawers with glass on both sides to really get a good look at them. I believe there are about 200 or 300 displayed there with lots of documentation. I have photo's somewhere but couldn't find them.

Found my pictures of TR's F Grade Fox tho. Also front and back pictures of the original Fox factory order card. Also a picture of Tom Kidd when he owned the gun back in 1988. And I had the pleasure of shouldering Teddy's gun when Tom owned it.

Definitely a great place to visit.