In 1871, a number of United States military officers contemplated how close the Confederacy had come to winning the War Between the States. Of the 650,000 casualties suffered by both sides, the South had smaller losses. Close to 65 percent of the men who were killed wore Union blue. Soldiers were not formally trained in marksmanship and no ammunition was allocated for rifle practice in the U.S. Army.
To resolve these problems, the officers envisioned the creation of a national organization that would encourage firearm proficiency. A delegation of 36 men, led by Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, appeared before the New York Secretary of State to present for approval the ratified articles of incorporation. On November 17, 1871, the National Rifle Association was born.
Also presented in this gallery are the stories of the founders of the NRA -- Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, Brigadier General George Wood Wingate, and Lieutenant Colonel William Conant Church.
Significant Firearms in Gallery I:
- Remington Rolling Block rifle
- Burnside carbine (possibly from NRA President Burnside)
- Savage No. 1,000,000 Model 1899 rifle
- Presentation M14 rifle from U.S. Army to NRA
- Presentation French Lebel rifle
The National Firearms Museum would like to thank the following for their contributions, making this gallery possible:
» James H. Woods Foundation
» Sayler-Hawkins Foundation |
