This gallery takes in the greatest span of America's history. Beginning with the exploration of the trans-Allegheny west, exhibits include an air rifle similar to the one carried by the Lewis and Clark expedition, the emergence of the Kentucky Rifle and Daniel Boone, the development of the percussion system of ignition, early rifle matches on the frontier, the War of 1812, Texas and the War with Mexico, the Gold Rush, the development of the Hawken rifle, and Eli Whitney and U.S. Arms contracts.

Learnabout famous arms makers and inventors of this period: Eliphalet Remington, Jr., Samuel Colt, Ethan Allen, Sam Walker, Horace Smith, and Daniel Wesson.

Significant Firearms in Gallery V:

• Graphic of Virginia militia uniforms
• Reproduction uniform of militia soldier
• Kentucky rifles (including a rare left-handed example)
• Air rifle similar to that used on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
• U.S. Model 1803 Flintlock Rifle
• Hawken "Big Fifty" percussion rifle
• Colt Model 1849 Pocket & Dragoon pistols
• Early Remington rifle
• Early Smith & Wesson revolver once owned by D.B. Wesson
• Rare Colt Walker revolver

The National Firearms Museum would like to thank the following for their contributions, making this gallery possible:
» Remington Society of America
» Colt Collectors Association
» Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
» Summerlee Foundation
» Melvin Gordon