Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Phil brings Ruger Boy Scout 22 caliber to Curator's Corner by Lars Dalseide 2. September 2010 17:55

NRA Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier with a Ruger Boy Scout Model 22 on Curator's Corner In July of 2010, National Firearms Museum's Phil Schreier traveled to Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia for the Boy Scouts of America’s National Jamboree. Tonight, he brings a little of the spirit he found there to Curator's Corner. It arrives in the form of an officially licensed Ruger Boy Scout 10/22 Rifle.

With an 18.5" barrel and a gold bead sight, this limited edition rifle comes with a ten round magazine and a classic walnut stock. It is there, on the stock, where things really get interesting.

Carved in various spots along the stock are symbols of Boy Scout lore. In the rear is a rendition of of Norman Rockewell’s 1944 famous painting, We, Too, Have a Job To Do. Also carved into the side is the Boy Scout logo, the Boy Scout oath, and the Boy Scout law which reads, “A Scout is: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

But that's just a fraction of what this gun has to offer. To hear the whole story, tune into tonight at 10:40 p.m. Eastern Time on Sirius/XM Patriot or NRANews.com for Senior Curator Phil Schreier’s take on the Ruger Boy Scout 10/22 Rifle.

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Taping at NRA Headquarters provides additional interviews by Lars Dalseide 1. September 2010 18:44

NRANews Executive Producer John Popp and his band of audio/technical wizards stopped by headquarters today to shoot segments for the show. They left with a little more than originally planned.

"Taping at NRA Headquarters accomplishes two things," explained Popp. "First, shooting here provides our viewers with an actual view of the building. We tape our interviews at the museum, in the hallways, on the range - where ever we can find a free space.

"Second is the wild cards. Today, for example, we ran into Competitive Shooting's H.Q. Moody. That impromptu meeting turned into two separate interviews. They wouldn't have happened if we weren't here at headquarters."

In addition to the Moody interviews, Popp and his crew had the opportunity to sit down with Ruthann Sprague from NRA Women's Programs, J.R. Robbins from NRAHuntersRights.org, and (pictured above) National Firearms Museum's Phil Schreier. All of which are scheduled air on NRANews.com somewhere between 9pm and midnight Eastern Time over the next few days.

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Curator's Corner hits Camp Perry by Lars Dalseide 15. July 2010 18:57

Wimbledon Cup on NRAblog To the right there you see the Wimbledon Cup. Awarded each year during the Long Range High Power Championships, the Cup was first presented to an American rifle team in 1875 and is one of the NRA's oldest trophies. Now it goes to the top scorer in a 1000-yard slow fire prone event that allows two sighting shots and twenty for record with any sights. Last year it was awarded to Specialist Lance Dement of the United States Army Marksmanship Unit and tonight you can see it during the Trophy Special on Curator's Corner.

Shot on-site at Camp Perry, Ohio, this evening's episode features NRA Competitive Shooting Division Director Mike Krei and NRANews Executive Producer John Popp as they make their way through the hallowed halls of the NRA Trophy Room. See the workmanship and hear the history of these beautiful works of art from the man who oversees the entire competition.

Next week we'll get back to the guns, but that doesn't mean that you should pass up the opportunity to catch a glimpse of these legendary trophies as Mike Krei and John Popp bring you Camp Perry's Curator's Corner on NRANews.com or Sirius XM Patriot channel 144 at 10:20 eastern time.

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Blue Book of Gun Values II on Curator's Corner by Lars Dalseide 10. June 2010 17:18

No, no, we're not off kicking the summer season with a batch of NRANews reruns. Instead, we're heading into tonight for part two of last week's Blue Book of Gun Values edition of Curator's Corner. Back in the mix to lead the discussion are National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica and Blue Book Author, Editor & Publisher S.P. Fjestad.

But don't think they'll be covering the same old thing. There will be more tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to evaluating a firearm. Does it still have the original bolts? What about the finish? Is that the magazine it came with or was it replaced with a replica. Come to think of it, how can you tell if it's a replica or if it's the real McCoy?

There is a lot to consider when it comes to determining value. The more information you have, the better chance that you'll get a fair price for the firearm in question.

Even more insight will be available if you join the boys tonight at 10:20 p.m. EST as Curator's Corner hits the airwaves on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot channel 144 & XM 166.

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Blue Book of Gun Values explained on Curator's Corner by Lars Dalseide 3. June 2010 18:53

Curator's Corner usually focuses on the gun. That one piece of hardware that has a special place in the historical hearts of competitive shooters, gun collectors, and firearms enthusiast everywhere. This is not that kind of Curator's Corner. Instead of focusing on one gun, we're going to look at them all.

In another edition of Curator's Corner from the floor of the Tulsa Arms Show, the usually cast of characters are joined tonight by S.P. Fjestad, Author, Editor & Publisher of the Blue Book of Gun Values. S.P. will explain what to look for when it comes to evaluating guns. How has it aged? Is there rust? Has the gun been refinished? Where was it manufactured? What's the barrel length?

All these questions and more play a part in determining the value of firearm. So if you want to know what the experts look for when evaluating a gun, then tonight is the show for you.

So join National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica along with John Popp from NRANews as they discuss the secrets behind the appraisal of gun values. That lesson and more will be shared tonight at 10:20 p.m. Eastern on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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Curator's Corner: Dirty Harry's .44 Magnum by Lars Dalseide 27. May 2010 17:02

Clint Eastwood's Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver from Dirty Harry on NRAblogEverybody comes clamoring for this one. Whether a visitor to the National Firearms Museum, a patron at at gun show, or a guest at NRA headquarters, when it comes to Hollywood Guns, people always ask to see Dirty Harry's .44 Magnum. This evening, on Curator's Corner, you'll get a chance to see it yourself.

According to Dirty Harry's screenwriter (and NRA Board Member) John Milius, the script originally called for a Smith & Wesson with a 4" barrel. Luckily for the viewers, acquiring that version proved to be impossible so they went with the six incher.

But tonight's episode does more than discuss the specific firearm from Clint Eastwood's infamous role. Sources at NRANews tell us that it will be an comprehensive look into the .44 Magnum. That's why they wrangled past S&W Collectors Association President Dr. Bill Cross & our very own Jim Supica to provide the details.

That's all we have time for now. For the rest of the story, join Bill, Jim & Popp tonight as Curator's Corner hits the airways at 10:20 eastern on NRANews.com or Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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Curator's Corner from Tulsa: Tightrope's Smith & Wesson snub nose by Lars Dalseide 20. May 2010 18:20

We missed Curator's Corner last week because the bulk of our people were at the NRA's 139th Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Charlotte, North Carolina. But this week we're back to highlight another Clint Eastwood special - the Smith & Wesson Model 66 snub nose from Tightrope.

A police thriller based in New Orleans, Tightrope follows the Eastwood character as he juggles a murder investigation with the complications of fatherhood.

The brand of Smith & Wesson 66s used in this film were first produced in 1970. Though barrels were available in a variety of lengths, Eastwood had the handle of the two inch model. The double-action six-shooter, chambered in a .357 Magnum, stood out from similar models because of its stainless steel and smooth trigger pull.

For the rest of the tale on this beauty from the soon to be revealed Hollywood Guns exhibit, be sure to tune in tonight at 10:20 p.m. as National Firearms Museum's Senior Curator Phil Schreier makes another appearance on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot 144.

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Eastwood's Remington 1858 New Army Revolver from Pale Rider by Lars Dalseide 6. May 2010 18:14

Before we head off to Charlotte for NRA's 139th Annual Meetings & Exhibits, we put forth another offering of Curator's Corner from the floor of Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show. Again we reach for another Clint Eastwood classic as National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier brings you the Remington 1858 New Army Revolver "The Preacher" used in Pale Rider.

The Remington Model 1858 is a single-action six-shot that was favored by the Union Army during the Civil War. Weighing in at a touch over two pounds, this pistol found it's popularity in the fact that the cylinder could be easily switched out for another preloaded cylinder during the heat of battle. Whether loaded with a paper cartridge or a powder & ball, the Remington also featured an extra durable top strap and milled safety slots on the cylinder.

That's all we have from out latest Hollywood Guns exhibit for now, so tune in tonight to hear Phil tell you the rest about Clint Eastwood's Remington 1858 New Army Revolver on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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The Outlaw Josey Wales arrives on Curator's Corner by Lars Dalseide 29. April 2010 18:21

The desk on the left is empty. Its regular occupant, National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier, has spent the majority of the day meeting with fellow firearms curators and collectors here on the Eastern Seaboard. He can do that because today's edition of Curator's Corner is already in the can -- filmed on-site in the great state of Oklahoma during the Wanenmacher Tulsa Arms Show. A favorite of Eastwood devotees everywhere -- it is one of the Colt Walker 1847 revolvers from The Outlaw Josey Wales.

The Colt Walker, a single action black powder shooter, was created through the collaboration of firearms icon Samuel Colt and Captain Samuel Walker (from the Republic of Texas and U.S. Armies respectively.) Their goal was to replace the Colt Paterson with a reliable six shooter from over 100 yards. Results were mixed at best.

Any inspiration to correct the firearm's deficiencies, such as substandard metallurgy or a poor lever catch, were probably lost after Captain Walker was killed at the Battle of Juamantla in 1847. As the legend holds, Captain Walker died by the hands of Juamantla's Mayor with a Colt Walker in each holster ... the guns arriving only days before his death.

But for all the information on the pseudo prototype for the dreaded Dragoons, (and another example of our startling new Hollywood Guns exhibit) tune in tonight at 10:20 p.m. eastern time to see Phil Schreier make his latest waves as Curator's Corner hits the airwaves on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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Curator's Corner from Tulsa: The LeMat Revolver by Lars Dalseide 22. April 2010 17:32

Phil Schreier talks about the LeMat Revolver at the Tulsa Arms Show on NRAblogCurator’s Corner comes to us again from Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show. This week’s special comes to us not from the museum, but from a collector. It's a Civil War favorite – the LeMat Revolver.

The revolver was Dr. Jean LeMat of New Orleans, whose initial attempts for a military contract were met with resistance until the outbreak of the Civil War. Thanks to his father-in-law, a deal was struck with the Confederacy and production was underway. Due to the South’s lack of manufacturing, it was decided that the LeMat would be produced in France. Unfortunately for them, only a little over 2,000 of these guns made their way past the Union naval blockades.

What makes the LeMat special is that it is two guns in one – a revolver and a shotgun. Each had nine shots from either a .42 or .36 caliber pistol as well as a single 16 gauge buckshot from the lower barrel. Although, as Senior Curator Doug Wicklund mentioned, it’s better to shoot the buckshot first, because the pistol shots have a way of jarring the buckshot loose.

For the full story on the LeMat, join the guys from the National Firearms Museum tonight at 10:20 p.m. EST as Curator's Corner hits the airwaves on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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Meet Joe Wanenmacher on Curator's Corner by Lars Dalseide 15. April 2010 17:14

Joe Wanenmacher on Curator's Corner covered on NRAblogFans of Curator's Corner are in for a real treat. For the next few weeks, you'll be transported to the floor of Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show. There you will see the gang from the National Firearms Museum highlight some of the more popular guns they take on the road. This time out, it was an offering from the Clint Eastwood collection.

But tonight we're taking a new angle. Instead of highlighting a particular gun, we are going to highlight a gun show. To assist us in this venture is Joe Wanenmacher, founder of the Tulsa Arms Show. Hear how the show grew from a few hundred tables to over four thousand, what obstacles they faced, exhibitors that have come and gone, and what steps a patron should take when evaluating or purchasing a gun.

We're back on schedule next week with a beautiful revolver (no clues yet,) so take advantage of Mr. Wanenmacher's experience while you can. It's not every day that one have to opportunity to gain such a unique look at running the world's largest arms show.

In addition to Curator's Corner, the show provided a nice backdrop for our first shot at the NFM Roadshow — where people bring their firearms for appraisal and evaluation live on camera. But you'll have to wait for more details on that front.

What you won't have to wait for is Joe Wanenmacher, live on tape from the Tulsa Arms Show tonight at 10:20 p.m. EST as Curator's Corner hits the airwaves on NRANews.com and Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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NRANews' take on Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show by Lars Dalseide 12. April 2010 14:00

NRANews Producer Cameron Gray was in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Spring edition of the Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show. While there, he snapped a couple of shots of the National Firearms Museum's section of the festival. Sorry to report that only two of the pictures were salvagable — have to be careful with those camera phones.

Not familiar with Wananmacher's gun show? Take a look at NRAblog's post on the show from last year. Or, for those looking for a first hand account of the attractions, here's what Cameron had to say about the show:

"I have been to a lot of gun shows while working for NRA News. But nothing comes even close to the massive scale and historical richness of Wanenmacher's. I really hope to make it a twice a year pilgrimage."

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Supica + Schreier take Clint Eastwood to Tulsa by Lars Dalseide 9. April 2010 13:45

National Firearms Museum's collection of Clint Eastwood guns from movies like Dirty Harry, Pale Rider, and Tightrope on NRAblogThe National Firearms Museum's (NFM) trip to Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show has two purposes: the first is to show off part of their Hollywood Guns collection, the second is to take a look at your guns.

NFM Director Jim Supica and Senior Curator Phil Schreier have gently packed up a selection of their collection for the long ride to Tulsa. This particular component of the collection comes courtesy of Clint Eastwood. We're not claiming that Eastwood personally donated these guns, but he did have a handle on them in a few of his pictures. The collection includes:

  • a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum from Dirty Harry
  • a Colt Walker 1847 from The Outlaw Josey Wales
  • a Remington 1858 New Army from Pale Rider
  • a Smith & Wesson 66 snub nose from Tightrope
  • The Walther P38 used by Scorpio in Dirty Harry

 "The Museum table at this show presents the Museum as a resource to the community," Supica said. "We have way cool stuff people want to see and people need to know we're here. Plus we're going to provide a little something extra."

National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica on NRAblog That little something extra is an Antique Roadshow style taping of Curator's Corner. Yes, the boys from NFM are asking you to bring your very own guns to their table – designated as LN-1 – for inspection and evaluation. If it's something they deem to be truly interesting, you and your firearm could end up on NRANews.

But don't take our word for it -- hear it all from Supica himself tonight at 9:20 EST on NRANews.com or on Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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Curator's Corner closes the Movies with The Thin Man by Lars Dalseide 8. April 2010 17:46

National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier and NRANews Executive Producer John Popp on NRAblogThe final segment of Curator's Corner Goes to the Movies arrives in the form of a golden oldie -- The Thin Man series. Based on Dashiell Hammett's detective novel of the same name, The Thin Man was the first flick in a series of six. It stars William Powell and Myrna Loy as a crime-solving couple in the city that never sleeps. And it's all wrapped up with a "here's what happened" dinner scene at the end.

The gun in question is a Colt Police Positive. First introduced in 1907, this six cylinder double-action revolver came with a internal hammer block safety. But this particular handgun wasn't a regular factory edition ... this one was something special.

a Colt Police Positive from The Thin Man at the National Firearms Museum on NRAblogFashioned with custom made pearl grips, select members of the cast presented this beauty to William Powell with an inscription that reads:

For Nick
Stay Lucky
From All The Boys

But we're going to stop at the inscription. After all, if we gave you all the details about the Colt Police Positive you'd have no reason to tune into tonight's Curator's Corner segment, featuring National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier at 10:20 p.m. on NRANews.com or on Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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Curator's Corner crashes Nakatomi Plaza by Lars Dalseide 1. April 2010 17:58

National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier and John Popp talk about the Bruce Willis movie Die Hard for Curator's Corner on NRAblog Our second to last edition of Curator's Corner Goes to the Movies looks back at the of Detective John McClane with guns from the California classic Die Hard. Views will see National Firearms Museum's (NFM) Senior Curator Phil Schreier and NRANews Executive Producer John Popp review the firearms used the protagonist McClane and the antagonist Hans Gruber.

In a breakout role as New York City Detective John McClane, Bruce Willis carries his police issues Beretta 92F. To quote the company website: "The 92 series of semiautomatic pistols operates on a short recoil, delayed blowback system, which yields; faster cycle times, exceptional accuracy and greater reliability."

Hans, played by Alan Rickman, fancies a Heckler & Koch P7. A nifty feature of this semi-auto pistol is that the shooter must 'squeeze' the grip before firing. Easy to spot with due to A  Heckler & Koch P7 on NRAblog its silver finish, the M13 was introduced in 1982 with a double stacked and a 13 round magazine. And for you movie buffs out there, this gun was also used by Christopher Walken in True Romance.

But that's all we have time for now. To get the rest of the story, join Phil Schreier tonight as Curator's Corner hits the airways at 10:20 eastern on NRANews.com or Sirius Patriot channel 144.

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