mc5aw
Member
Packed up the wife and child then headed south the Gettysburg for a brief visit before the massive crowds take over for the battle's anniversary and Bike Week. The Cyclorama oil painting (in the Visitors Center) is simply amazing ... Over 40' high and 300' + around ... it was completed in a year and is more than a century old. Dinner at the Dobbin House followed by a ghost walk made for a wonderful evening. The hotel we stayed at was a hosting a Ford Collectors gathering, thus the parking lot was filled with vintage Fords from the '30s and '40s. It was a real treat to see all those restored vehicles parked or tooling around town. Gettysburg is on the "To Do" list every year or so, simply to reconnect with history and appreciate the spirit of this country.
A quick 90 miles southward to Fairfax brought us to the NRA Museum, nestled comfortably in a sprawling office park. A bit smaller than I expected, the Museum is nonetheless PACKED with an incredible assortment of firearms to revel in. From the Petersen collection to the Teddy Roosevelt exhibit, the treasures the Museum hosts are a "must see" for any shooting sports enthusiast. Most of the engraved shotguns are priceless, and there are firearms from every major war in the 20th Century, so there is an opportunity to witness the evolution of the modern firearm in real time. The Ed McGivern collection was modest, but impressive, with several snubbies of note (including what I believe was a Fitz Special). The Hollywood collection had Eastwood's 29 as well as the rubber "stunt double", and quite a few of John Wayne's shootin' irons. What I was most struck by was the size of some of the firearms in the sundry exhibit halls ... There was a four-bore long gun that looked like it could spit out a golf ball, a 600 and 577 Nitro (in addition to several other BIG safari rifles), and a number of flintlock pistols that were massive. The modern day machine guns were interesting to compare to the vintage BARs and Tommy Guns, and the variety of 1911s and revolvers was fascinating. We made the rounds in an hour or so, but one could easily spend an entire day there reading every display placard and watching every informational video clip. There is a also a range in the lower level, but I didn't have an opportunity to indulge. Perhaps next time ... Also worth mentioning, FREE admission.
Looking at the various handguns, long guns, and shotguns behind glass, I was struck by how much I love firearms. When I get home, I'm going to revisit what I own and be thankful for the 2nd Amendment.
Two special places for myself at the girls to visit, and highly recommend for those in the area. Gettysburg is getting very overbuilt and touristy, but it's an integral part of history to experience, and the NRA Museum is exquisite.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that in the Hollywood wing, a RM belonging to Clark Gable is displayed. Upon entering the Museum, there are numerous "cased" long guns to view. The intricate engravings have to been seen up close to fully appreciate ... not just scrollwork, but full scenes and inlays. Also, the gift shop is small and contains the usual knick-knacks, but also has an extensive amount of books to peruse. Lots of titles not normally seen on Amazon or the racks at B&N.
A quick 90 miles southward to Fairfax brought us to the NRA Museum, nestled comfortably in a sprawling office park. A bit smaller than I expected, the Museum is nonetheless PACKED with an incredible assortment of firearms to revel in. From the Petersen collection to the Teddy Roosevelt exhibit, the treasures the Museum hosts are a "must see" for any shooting sports enthusiast. Most of the engraved shotguns are priceless, and there are firearms from every major war in the 20th Century, so there is an opportunity to witness the evolution of the modern firearm in real time. The Ed McGivern collection was modest, but impressive, with several snubbies of note (including what I believe was a Fitz Special). The Hollywood collection had Eastwood's 29 as well as the rubber "stunt double", and quite a few of John Wayne's shootin' irons. What I was most struck by was the size of some of the firearms in the sundry exhibit halls ... There was a four-bore long gun that looked like it could spit out a golf ball, a 600 and 577 Nitro (in addition to several other BIG safari rifles), and a number of flintlock pistols that were massive. The modern day machine guns were interesting to compare to the vintage BARs and Tommy Guns, and the variety of 1911s and revolvers was fascinating. We made the rounds in an hour or so, but one could easily spend an entire day there reading every display placard and watching every informational video clip. There is a also a range in the lower level, but I didn't have an opportunity to indulge. Perhaps next time ... Also worth mentioning, FREE admission.
Looking at the various handguns, long guns, and shotguns behind glass, I was struck by how much I love firearms. When I get home, I'm going to revisit what I own and be thankful for the 2nd Amendment.
Two special places for myself at the girls to visit, and highly recommend for those in the area. Gettysburg is getting very overbuilt and touristy, but it's an integral part of history to experience, and the NRA Museum is exquisite.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that in the Hollywood wing, a RM belonging to Clark Gable is displayed. Upon entering the Museum, there are numerous "cased" long guns to view. The intricate engravings have to been seen up close to fully appreciate ... not just scrollwork, but full scenes and inlays. Also, the gift shop is small and contains the usual knick-knacks, but also has an extensive amount of books to peruse. Lots of titles not normally seen on Amazon or the racks at B&N.
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