Local Cub and Boy Scouts coming to National Firearms Museum

Fairfax, Virginia - Dozens and dozens of groups request (and receive) a tour of the NRA National Firearms Museum every year. Historical societies, members of the military as well as a number of youth groups take advantage of the historical road map put together by our well versed curators. There will be a couple more enjoying that advantage this weekend.

"We've got two groups of Scouts coming this Saturday," said Senior Curator Doug Wicklund. "Tiger and Boy Scouts."

For those of you who've been out of the Scouting scene for as long as I have, Tiger Scouts are part of the Cub Scout lexicon. Found between the Bobcat and Wolf ranks, the Tiger Cub is a seven year old (or first grader) who has completed five Family, Den and Go See It (for a total of fifteen) activities. I'm guessing that this one will end up in the Go See It category.

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The Springfield 1903 Theodore Roosevelt used during his 1909 African Safari

Fairfax, Virginia - Why is National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica smiling so? Because the rifle in his hands, a 1903 Springfield bolt-action rifle, is yet another addition to the NRA Museum's President Theodore Roosevelt exhibit.

"That is Theodore Roosevelt's Springfield 1903 rifle, serial number 6000," Supica beamed. "It's one of the most historic Roosevelt rifles. It was one of his primary arms in the 1909 African Safari."

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New Jersey teens arrive in dress whites to tour NRA Museum

Fairfax, Virginia - Yesterday, Saturday the 29th of September, marked the arrival of some very important guests at the National Rifle Association. Straight from the docks of Lawrenceville, New Jersey came the John T. Dempster Jr. Division of the Sea Cadets — a nonprofit organization that teaches teenagers teamwork, self-confidence, and leadership.

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Breechloading flintlock an early attempt at a repeating rifle

Fairfax, Virginia - Around two years ago this week, Senior Curator Doug Wicklund provided us with a first look at the Isaiah Jennings All-Metal Flintlock Rifle, a breechloading beauty capable of firing twelve shots without reloading — quite the feat for a firearm manufactured back in 1821.

For the full story, check out our post on the Isaiah Jennings All-Metal Breechloading Flintlock.

NRA brings out Maxim, Brownings and more big guns for Triggers on the Military Channel

Fairfax, Virginia - Everything started after the lights went out at NRA headquarters last night. That’s when the crew from Military Channel's Triggers: Weapons that Changed the World broke out the cameras, cables and celebrities to film portions of next season's episodes. Host Wil Willis (former Army Ranger and Air Force Pararescueman) was all smiles.

"He looked like a kid in a candy store," commented Museum Director Jim Supica. "We get that reaction a lot around here."

More on the Military Channel filming Triggers at NRA Headquarters ...

Finding the perfect gun for Curator's Corner is quite a daunting task. Sure, there are hundreds of them just lying around the National Firearms Museum ... but how do you keep track of them. What gun did you use last week? Last month? Last year? Making sure that he wasn't going go double up on us, Senior Curator Doug Wicklund reached into his own collection for a 1911 that belong to a long lost pilot from World War I.

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Fairfax, Virginia - After Senior Curator Doug Wicklund made his 2012 debut last week on Curator's Corner with a Sharps Rifle, we were unsure as to where he would go next. After all, a gun with the history of the Sharps... how are you going to beat that? How about with a Burgess Folding Shotgun.

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NRA Museum Senior Curator holds a Sharps Model 1859 Percussion Carbine.

Fairfax, Virginia - There's always a great deal of anticipation when Thursday night rolls around. What oh what are the Curator's going to bring out tonight for Curator's Corner? Well tonight we have two specials ... the appearance of the National Firearms Museum's Doug Wicklund and the appearance of a Confederate Sharps Model 1859 Percussion Carbine.

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Fairfax, Virginia - Students attending NRA's 2012 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) are exposed to many a new things. They get to tour monuments, meet Congressmen and partake in the goodies at the NRA Headquarters Range. And thanks to the staff and the National Firearms Museum, there's even a little submachine gun action.

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