By: drgurr

drgurr — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:03:49 +0000

Fortunately, I live a couple of miles down the road from the Autry Museum of Western History. While I have yet to visit the new display, I had seen most of the guns that are likely on display when the museum displayed “Engraved Firearms” a couple of years ago. I agree that there is none better as a collection as well as historic arms such as Doc Holiday’s and William Hickock’s. Also, there may be the New Frontier Colts engraved for the presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, and Reagan. Sadly, Kennedy was assassinated before he could receive his. There are many of the TV and movie western firearms, not only Gene’s, but Hoot Gibsons. The rest of the museum has guns on display from Roy Rogers, the Cisco Kid, the Lone Ranger,including apparel, and even John Wayne’s gun belt that he used in most of his later movies. Real western heros’ firearms include those of Annie Oakley and Teddy Roosevelt to name just a few. However, the most stunning collection that the museum has to offer are saddles. There revolving displays are fascinating. Past ones have included Jewish Cowboys, western art (for sale), Women in the West, Black Cowboys, “Tourquoise and Totems,” the latter being the work of modern artists of the Navaho and NW Coastal Indians, e.g. silver bracelets with figures from totem poles. These bracelets and a wide variety of books and memorabilia of the west are for sale in the gift shop. If you plan a trip, include the Roy Rogers Museum, east of LA and Melody Ranch north of LA the latter is where many of the early westerns were made. Each of these is a day trip away. There are many things that will interest children as the museum is age appropriate. Check the Autry Museum website and learn about their special displays, as well as pow wows where Indian people demonstrate traditional dance and costume.
Lastly, for the serious researcher, the museum has an excellent archive of books and materials on the early west. One only needs to call ahead to speak with the archivist for access and an explanation of the specific of interest for the reseracher.

Comments on: Gene Autry National Center to Display The Colt Revolver in the American West

By: drgurr