Journeying West: Distinctive Firearms from the Smithsonian Institution

By Ashley Lynn Hlebinsky
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History recently loaned 64 firearms from the National Firearms Collection to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a Smithsonian Affiliate, in Cody Wyoming for a special display. This loan is the culmination of the efforts of many individuals from the east and west. Without the vision of Cody Firearms Museum Curator, Warren Newman, and the dedication of NMAH Associate Curator of firearms, David Miller, and the team at Smithsonian Affiliations, this exhibition might not have occurred.

Miquelet Lock Musket given to President Thomas Jefferson in 1805. Photo Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Washington, DC.

Over the past two years, I have worked as the liaison between the two organizations, selecting firearms, writing text panels and labels, and aiding Newman with the design of the overall exhibition. Among these artifacts are numerous patent models documenting innovations in the field, international imagination, and historic distinction.

Included in this exhibition is a seven-foot-long gold Miquelet lock musket that was given to President Thomas Jefferson in 1805 by the Bey of Tunisia after the Tripolitan Wars. Another selected firearm is an embellished Jaeger rifle that belonged to Catherine the Great of Russia (1729 – 1796). A velvet cheek piece added to this firearm ensured her comfort while shooting.  

Jaeger Rifle owned by Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. Photo Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

This loan joins the Smithsonian Institution and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West together in an exhibition opening on May 4, 2013 titled Journeying West: Distinctive Firearms from the Smithsonian Institution. It has been an honor to be a part of this project, which brought a part of the Smithsonian Institution to a new audience.


Hlebinsky has been working as a firearms researcher and assistant between the National Museum of American History and the Cody Firearms Museum for the past few years. She is also completing her Masters Degree in American History and Museum Studies at the University of Delaware this May 2013.

For more information on this exhibition please visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West's webpage.