A Day At The Museum

Jimbo357mag · Apr 5, 2012

Thanks to member DixieBoy for the heads-up about the William I (Bill) Koch exhibit at the Four Arts Museum on Palm Beach.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1460604&highlight=#1460604

I went there with my son and was absolutely floored with the volume of Wild West memorabilia. The guns in the gun room were incredible. Colt Walkers, Pattersons, Dragoons of all types, a Volcanic pistol and Volcanic rifle, a Buntline and on and on. There were dozens and dozens of Winchesters and many personal firearms of the most famous people in the west. Like Custer's rifle, Geronimo's rifle, Wyatt Earps guns, Billy the Kids guns all accompanied by personal effects.

There were rooms featuring 'Lawmen and Outlaws', 'Cowboys', 'Miners' with many gold nuggets, 'Indians' with weapons and scalps (yikes), 'Hunters and Trappers', and a real 'Saloon'. There were so many Pictures and Paintings and Sculptures (many Remingtons), they were uncountable. Unfortunately photography was not allowed except outside. I took some pictures outside and of the brochure.

Please see the William I. Koch "Recapturing The Real West" exhibition when you can.

Remington oil, flag from battle of Little Big Horn, Custers Field Belt and Sash, Custers Springfield M1866 Rifle

Sitting Bull 1885, Sitting Bull's Rifle, Sitting Bull's Breastplate and Belt, Charles Russell Oil Painting

John Wesley Harding ephemera and Photos (left), Pat Garrett ephemera and photo (right)

Anny Oakley 1902-1903 (left), Lillie Langtry (right botton center)

Kentucky Rifle, Percussin Rifle, Henry Rifle, Winchester 1866, (left),
Colt Dragoon and Colt Walker belonging to Samuel H. Walker 1847, Colt SAA serial #1, Remington model 1890 (right)

edit to add a few details.

Chief 101 · Apr 5, 2012

I've seen a few restored and newly built "Conestoga Wagons" and you wonder how they made it all the way without major breakdowns. Easily repairable with available materials I guess...dunno

don44 · Apr 6, 2012

Thanks for the post and the pics.

Lee Martin · Apr 6, 2012

Looks like a neat exhibit. Thanks for the photos.

caryc · Apr 7, 2012

Chief 101 said:
I've seen a few restored and newly built "Conestoga Wagons" and you wonder how they made it all the way without major breakdowns. Easily repairable with available materials I guess...dunno

I was thinking that myself. That stage and Conestoga look awfully light. I heard the weight of an actual Conestoga wagon once and it was unbelievable. Very heavy.

That stage looks like it would be hard to keep it on the ground behind four or six horses. Seems like wheels like that when going at any speed and hitting a rock would splinter into kindling.

I sure would like to see the rest of that stuff though.

Did some quick research. That most likely is not a Conestoga wagon. The Conestoga was a huge freight wagon. The pioneers heading west in wagon trains were not likely to have Conestoga wagons as they were too big and heavy to make it over the Rockies. Conestogas were mostly used for freight carrying up to six tons of cargo.

The wagons they used were covered farm wagons. A much lighter version of the Conestoga wagon.

Jimbo357mag · Apr 7, 2012

One of the things I found interesting was the suspension of the stage coaches. (there was another more luxurious one inside) If you look at the coach itself it rides on two heavy leather straps slung between the framework of the undercarriage. The straps are about 4" thick and multi-layered. I guess that was about the best ride they could get.