NRA National Sporting Arms Museum Opens Serial Number One Guns Exhibit

by
posted on October 17, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
NRASportingArmsMuseum_F.jpg

The National Rifle Association announces the opening of Serial Number One Guns, a new exhibit in the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at the Bass Pro Shops flagship superstore in Springfield, Mo.

Serial Number One Guns features 29 firearms, from the cap and ball percussion arms of the mid 1800s to a modern polymer-frame semi-automatic pistol, sporting a serial number of “1.” The exhibit includes notable pieces such as a Smith & Wesson Schofield, Colt .40 caliber Model 1851 Navy, Springfield Sharps Model 1870 and more.

“We are proud to share this special collection of firearms with the visitors of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum,” said Museum Director Jim Supica. “Individually, the exhibit’s guns mark first steps in firearm technology. Together, they trace the history of industrialized firearms manufacturing.”

A serial number of “1” most often indicates the first gun of a particular model; however it may represent a “batch number” in firearms produced before unique serial numbers were mandated in the Gun Control Act of 1968. Serial numbers may still differ between prototype or pre-production samples and production models. Additionally, manufacturers have been known to create custom numbers in cases of VIP customers.

The NRA National Sporting Arms Museum is the result of a partnership between Bass Pro Shops and the NRA. Home to more than a thousand firearms; the 7,500-square foot museum focuses on the history of hunting, conservation and freedom. Visitors can see this one-of-a-kind collection at 1935 S. Campbell in Springfield, Mo. The museum is open every day from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. and admission is free.

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.