Think you know historic weapons?  There are a bountiful number of handheld weapons used by humans throughout history. Today you will be quizzed on how well you know the history of these weapons… Tap the LETS PLAY button to test your knowledge!

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We all know spies like James Bond and Maxwell Smart, but do you know these real life spy legends? Well let’s test your skills and see if you know these real life spies! 

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With FPS (first-person shooters) quickly becoming some of the most played video games to date, many stick with one single title like Call of Duty. Today we will see just how well you know your famous FPS video game moments.  Take the quiz below!

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Don’t know where to start?  You’ve come to the right place.  Below, we describe some of the best Father’s Day collections.  Use this article to give yourself some ideas and get that collection started!

1. Goat Guns

Have a father that’s into shooting or hunting? Perhaps the coolest collectible for him would be Goat Guns.  Goat Guns are miniature die cast models of real firearms. They are 1:3 size models that are made from actual metal and are between 4 and 15 inches long.  These replicas are incredibly realistic and have some weight to them, so they’re not flimsy or easily breakable. The best part about Goat Guns is that they require assembly.  Not only does this give your dad something to collect, but it gives him something to do as well!  This idea allows him to build and display his own miniature weapon collection. 

2. Ties

If you have a father who has to wear suits for work everyday, then a tie collection would be a great thing to start for him.  Ties allow you to customize your suit a little more and make it feel more unique. Ties are a great thing to collect because there are a wide range of designs and patterns.  There are simple, single color ties, patterned, or even funny ties with cartoons or other fun designs on them.  Your father can collect the type of tie that best fits his personality, and his needs for work.  Once his collection gets large, you can even start adding things like tie clips or cuff links to the group.

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3. Photo Albums

If you have children or a large family, giving your Father an annual photo album on Father’s Day is a great idea for a gift.  This starts a wonderful collection of yearbooks that watches his family grow each year.  A photo album collection gives your father something to look at during down time.  Watching the photos of people growing and changing each year allows for nostalgia and reminiscing. Each Father’s Day, you will have a great gift to give, and an easy one to make.  There are many websites that allow you to quickly upload photos, and it will create a photo book for you.  For a reasonable price, the site will arrange and make the book and send it to you. Or, if you want actual photos in the albums, you can make the book yourself with an old-fashioned photo book with pockets in it.

4. Coins

Perhaps one of the most common collectibles is coins. Coins have been collected for centuries, and provide an interesting pastime, in addition to an intriguing collection. Lots of antique stores have unique coins that you can find, or you can choose to purchase newly minted coins instead. Depending on his interests, your father can collect domestic coins made in the United States, foreign coins from other countries around the world, or both.  Either way, there is a plethora of collectible coins to choose from, many which are made to be gifts.  

5. Alcohol

Alcohol makes a great collection for anyone, dads included.  If he likes beer, get him some more expensive bottles for Father’s Day that he wouldn’t normally buy for himself.  He can keep one of the bottles or cans as his collection to remember what he has tasted. For someone with different taste, wine and nice liquor are  easy to collect and a perfect thing to break out on special occasions.  Pair with nice mixers or bar tools for a great gift.

6. Sports Memorabilia

Every guy has his favorite sports team, so why not start a sports memorabilia collection for your father?  He can collect clothing, pennants, hats, jerseys-anything that reminds him of his team. If he has a man cave, this collection can be displayed proudly. If you have a larger budget to work with, or other siblings to pool money with, you can search for autographed jerseys or balls for his collection to make things even more special. 

7. Fishing Lures

For the avid angler, start a collection of unique fishing lures.  Fishing lure collecting is less about finding lures to use and more about preserving vintage and antique lures.  However, a collection of more modern lures allows your father to actually use his supply, so it will bring him joy in multiple ways.  If he really gets into it, there are catalogs and lure shops that specifically cater to collectors. They can usually be found pretty easily while pursuing antique stores as well.  

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8. Vinyl

The last of the best Father’s Day collections is vinyl.  Your father will have fond memories of the music from his childhood.  While it’s easy to find and listen to on a moment’s notice, listening to it in vinyl on a turntable will really bring back memories for him.  To start the collection, buy him a turntable.  There are many more modern ones that will fit with the decor of his house, or vintage ones that have a more classic look.  Once he has the proper equipment, shopping for vinyl is easy and fun.  There are many brick and mortar record shops to visit and look for his favorite bands. It’s even a fun hobby for you to do with your father.

Final Thoughts

Any of the collections above would be a great thing to start for your father.  It all just depends on his interests.  All you have to do is find one that fits his interests.  You’ll be surprised to see how much he will love collecting.

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What is a Mutant?

Mutant firearms are relatively new to the market.  They are aptly named due to their unique configurations that involve components from two different rifles. There are not many mutant firearms on the market today.  The most popular is the CMMG MK47 Mutant. The MK47 is a combination of AK47 and AR15 rifles.  This weapon takes the best parts of each firearm and eliminates the flaws that they hold individually. In doing so, CMMG has created one of the most reliable and versatile firearms in history. 

History of the CMMG MK47

CMMG, or Central Missouri Machine Guns, released their MK47 Mutant firearm in 2014. The owners of CMMG decided to create their mutant weapon because they saw the need for a reliable rifle, made in the United States, that could handle the dimensions of a 7.62x39mm cartridge properly. Essentially, CMMG had to build the rifle around their chosen caliber.  They decided to use AK magazines for their adaptability and dependability, in addition to their ability to work properly with a tapered cartridge. 

There was a lot of skepticism from other firearm companies around the need for this weapon. Previously, it had not been made because it was thought to have such a niche market that it would never be popular or gain enough sales to even be slightly successful.  Then, some companies decided to give it a shot.  No manufacturer was able to create a firearm that anyone wanted. However, CMMG broke the mold.  Since its inception, the CMMG MK47 has been very well received and successful. 

CMMG MK47 Design Components

The CMMG MK47 is a six-pound, air cooled, direct impingement semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62×39 mm. It has a 16.1 inch, free floated barrel with a 1:10 twist, and an RKM 15 KeyMod Rail. This combination offers shooters the most accurate rifle of its kind. It also has incredible ergonomics and an easily adjustable stock.  Additionally, it produces less recoil than traditional firearms of its size. The MK47 is perhaps the most reliable rifle on the market today.  It can be used with a huge variety of ammunition without producing any jams. 

As its name suggests, the CMMG MK47 Mutant is comprised of a combination of parts mostly from AK47s and AR15s. It has an enlarged AR-10 sized bolt carrier, as well as upper and lower receivers made from 7075-T6 billet aluminum.  This material is known for its high strength, toughness, and good resistance to fatigue. It also has great corrosion resistance, and is used extensively for aircraft structural parts. 

Moving down on the rifle, you will find an AR-15 based pistol grip, trigger group, buffer tube, and safety selector. More specifically, it is equipped with a Magpul MOE pistol grip and Magpul MOE collapsible stock, allowing it to fit a wide variety of shooters. The MK47 uses a direct impingement gas system. This particular feature of the rifle was influenced by CMMGs line of MK3 assault rifles. For rifles sold to residents of California, this firearm comes with Vepr ten round magazines, as well as with a bullet button on the mag release. 

Uses

The greatest feature of the CMMG MK47 Mutant is its clean and simple design that allows it to be used for a wide variety of tasks.  Interested in the MK47 for personal protection?  Mount it with a red dot sight and it can be used for just that.  If you would like to take the CMMG MK47 Mutant with you to a 3-Gun competition, top it with a 1X-4X or 1X-6X scope and you are ready to go.  Change your scope to 2.5X-10X and you are ready to hunt. No matter what you want to do, you can equip the CMMG MMK47 Mutant to do it. This rifle really gives you the ability to have one, jack-of-all-trades firearm. 

Variations

Because of the popularity of its MK47 Mutant, CMMG has created other variations of this original masterpiece. Some of the other notable Mutants are briefly described below:

• The CMMG MK47 K Pistol has a ten-inch, medium taper profile barrel, single stage trigger, and is equipped with a Magpul MOE pistol grip. 
• The CMMG MK47 K Short Barrel Rifle has all of the features listed for the K pistol, but with an additional Magpul CTR buttstock. 

• The CMMG MK47 Mutant AKM CA has a 16-inch, medium taper profile barrel, SV brake, and single stage trigger. 

• The CMMG MK47 AKS8 has an SBR configuration with an 8-inch medium taper profile barrel and a Krink muzzle device.  It can also be used as a pistol as well.

Final Thoughts

In the past, mutant weapons were created of the AK47 and AR15 with lukewarm results.  However, CMMG has seemed to nail down the best features of both to create a truly remarkable weapon.  The reliability, versatility, and strength of this rifle is unmatched, and has won the hearts of shooters everywhere. 

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Beginnings

In 2002, four members of the Overstreet family, John Jeff, Stephanie, and Gretchen, founded the CMMG Company in Fayette, Missouri. CMMG stands for Central Missouri Machine Guns.  The Overstreets had a dream to create a high quality AR rifle that was affordable to everyone, and they made their dream a reality.  In a market where there are countless AR rifle options for the consumers, CMMG has made a name for itself by creating something new.

The firearm market is inundated with AR choices that have only a few chamber options: .223 Rem., 5.56×45 mm NATO for AR 15s, and .308 Win./7.62×51 NATO for AR 10s.  CMMG expanded the AR market by specializing in high quality AR rifles that are chambered for a wide variety of other cartridges.  This allows users to choose the cartridge they prefer instead of being stuck with only a few options.  This feature fulfills CMMG’s philosophy and tag line, “Aim to be Different.”

When the company began, it consisted of brothers John and Jeff Overstreet, Jeff’s wife Stephanie, and John’s wife Gretchen. These four assembled guns by hand from a building on their family’s farm. After four years of running the company like this, growth was so much that they had to hire a full time staff in 2006. The manufacturing and production building was expanded multiple times to accommodate the employees and equipment that the company required.

Today

Eventually, the farm building was not suitable for the size and scope of the business.  Partially because of its size and capabilities, and partially because it was located down a narrow gravel road that delivery trucks could not navigate. At the end of every work day, employees had to cart their firearms down the road to where the trucks could pick them up. Finally, in 2016, the company relocated 25 miles away to a factory in Boonville, Missouri, where they currently reside. 

Today, CMMG produces ARs with 16 different cartridges. Despite differences in size and chambering, all of the CMMG ARs are traditional detachable, box-fed semi-automatics.  They have an upper receiver, and a barrel assembly that is joined to the lower receiver with two takedown pins. Even now, CMMG is a build-to-order company, so your order will be made specifically for you upon your order. 

Sales

The CMMG website can be found at cmmg.com. On the homepage of the site, the first thing you will see is featured products, as well as customer favorites. Scrolling down will allow you to find trending products, and links to different product categories on the site. You can also navigate to these product categories by clicking the menu bar at the top left corner of the site.

One of the most unique features of their website is the “Assemble Your AR” section. This section allows you to completely customize your own firearm.  There are drop down menus for you to choose caliber, barrel length, platform, series, gun types, and finish. Once you choose what you want for each category, an image of your firearm pops up with a complete spec list, including weight, length, and price, underneath. This allows you to see every aspect of your build right in front of you so that you can make adjustments as you see fit.

If building your own does not interest you, there are a plethora of options to choose from.  The Banshee category will take you to pistols and short barrel rifles if you are looking for a portable and concealable firearm. They are available in 100, 200, and 300 series. CMMG’s Resolute line of firearms are described as “purpose-built, accurate workhorses,” that also come in a 100, 200, and 300 series. Lastly, the Endeavor line of ARs are long range rifles that are made to be precisely accurate at long distances.  These are also offered in 100, 200, and 300 series. 

If parts are what you’re looking for, then there are a lot to choose from.  Both upper and lower receivers are available in either build kits or simply stripped. AR parts are offered in the following categories: upper parts, zeroed enhanced parts, lower parts, magazines, AR conversions, or repair kits and parts. CMMG also sells tools and accessories needed to build or maintain your arsenal, as well as gear and apparel with the CMMG name and logo on it. 

The sale of CMMG firearms and products is done entirely online; they do not have a brick and mortar storefront location, primarily because their firearms are custom.  With this being said, there are some brick and mortar locations, like sporting goods stores, that do carry CMMG products. You can search for them online before you head out. Keep this in mind if you want to see and hold what you are purchasing before you buy it. 

Conclusion

Despite its success, CMMG remains close to its roots as a family business.  It takes its products seriously, and produces nothing but quality firearms and parts. All of its products carry a lifetime quality guarantee, so you know they stand behind their work.  We can expect to see more innovative and quality products from CMMG in the future.

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Comfortable Seating

The first thing to purchase is some comfortable seating for your man cave.  Nothing exudes manliness more than a large, comfortable recliner.  If a recliner is going to be your main place to relax, then you want to make sure to get a top-of-the-line model.  Look for a sturdy chair with lots of room and ample cushioning.  Test it out to ensure that it reclines smoothly.  Bonus if it has cup holders.

If you plan to have visitors in your man cave, adding a comfortable couch is necessary.  Look for the same qualities as your recliner: oversized, lots of cushioning, and durable.  You may want to consider buying a couch with upholstery that can be easily cleaned, just in case there are some spills during the big game. 

Beer Fridge or Kegerator

Nothing is worse than having to go into another room or even, gasp, walk upstairs, to get a frosty beverage.  Eliminate that need with your own mini fridge.  Mini fridges can conveniently fit in even the smallest of man caves. Place it right next to your couch or recliner and you never even have to stand up.  There are also mini fridges that come with cool designs or logos on them to match the theme of your cave. 

Have a built-in bar in your man cave?  Then take things one step further and install a kegerator.  A kegerator fits under your counter and has a tap that gives you a perfectly poured beer every time, foam and all. This option allows you to always have your favorite beer on tap, and keeps you from having empty beer cans to deal with. Pick and choose your type of kegerator depending on if you want one or two taps.  They also have more compact options, and kegerators for wine if that’s more your style.

Entertainment Center

No man cave is complete without a killer entertainment system.  Really set yourself up right with a giant flat screen mounted to the wall.  This takes up the least space possible, while making a big impact at the same time. Once you have the setup, then you need the service.  To maximize your entertainment system, you need to make sure you have access to the most games possible.  In addition to regular cable, most companies have a separate sports package that you can purchase. This will ensure you don’t miss any game of any sport on any day of the week.  

Games

To add diversity to your man cave, add a game or two of your preference. Games in your man cave are great to play during commercial breaks, or before and after the game.  If you have a lot of space, opt for a pool table.  It’s easy for beginners to pick up, and makes your room look impressive.  It’s also a great game to practice on your own when you’re looking for something to do. If you don’t have enough space for a pool table, a poker table is just as impressive and takes up less space.  For a more useful table, look for a one that is reversible.  That way, the poker felt can be on one side, and the other side can be used for eating.  If your man cave has even less space, try mounting a dart board on the wall.  It takes up no floor space and is a great game to play during halftime, or even while watching the game. 

Sports Memorabilia

Once you have furniture and games down, it’s time to start thinking about some decorating for your man cave.  One of the most popular and manly options is getting some sports memorabilia from your favorite teams to hand on the walls.  If your budget is larger, search for the perfect signed jersey to frame and hang for an impressive display. If your budget is smaller, buy pennants and banners from your favorite teams to adorn your walls.  If you have the space, a small display case is great to hold smaller items, like signed balls or hats. 

Goat Guns

One of the coolest and most unique things to collect for a man cave are Goat Guns.  Goat Guns are miniature, die cast models of real firearms. Choose which model you want, and it comes to your house unassembled.  With a simple 5-10 minute assembly, you can build your own miniature gun and have it to display.  There are countless models to collect, so this could really be a great collection and decoration for your man cave. 

Final Touches

Once that’s all done, you may want to add a few final touches to really personalize your room and make it yours. All the categories above combined make the perfect manly man cave. It may take some time to get the entire room complete, but all your hard work will be worth it in the end when you have your own customized retreat.

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1. Goat Guns

Our number one pick for miniature collectibles is Goat Guns.  These are surprisingly accurate miniature replicas of real weapons.  Goat Guns are made from die cast metal, so they feel like the real thing in your hand.  They have functional pieces that fit together like those of a real gun.  The great thing about these miniatures is that, unlike other collectibles on our list, they come completely unassembled.  Not only is building these tiny models a great hobby, but it makes for a great display as well. 

2. Food and Drinks

One of the cutest and most easily collectible miniature things is food.  In recent years, there has been a huge rise in popularity of miniature foods and drinks.  And it’s easy to see why.  These cute and detailed renderings of popular foods, like spaghetti and meatballs or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, are impressively realistic. Some miniature artists recreate entire meals, like Thanksgiving dinner, while others recreate brand items, like Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing or cans of Spam. Either way, there are endless possibilities for collecting in this category. 

3. TV and Movie Sets

Some miniature artists focus their talents on recreating sets from popular TV shows or movies. If you are a movie buff, there are recreations of all kinds of famous movie scenes. Some favorites are from The Wizard of Oz, The Godfather, or Forrest Gump. If movies aren’t really your thing, but TV shows are, there are multitudes of movie set recreations as well.  Search for the general set, like Central Perk from Friends, or for specific scenes from episodes that are your favorite.

4. Games

Whether you like video games, board games, or arcade games, there are a multitude of tiny gaming replicas to collect.  Build your collection around one gaming category, like video games, or broaden your collection to include all types of games.  Collecting micro-games is especially fun and exciting because some can actually still be played, like tiny pinball or tiny chess. 

5. Clothing and Accessories

If fashion is your thing, then collecting tiny clothing and accessories may be of interest to you.  Create a mini-wardrobe that matches your current one, or collect clothing that is completely different from what you would wear. Can’t afford designer brands in real life?  Maybe collecting miniature versions of Fendi purses and Manolo heels will satisfy your craving. An adorable plus of collecting miniature clothing is the tiny hangers and clothing racks that come with it!  Or, if you want the clothing to be on display, you can dress miniature people in your favorite outfits. 

6. Instruments

For the musically inclined, there are all kinds of miniature instruments to collect. There are hundreds of instruments, from modern to medieval, to gather and display as you wish.  Collect enough instruments for a full band, or even an orchestra.  Like some of the other categories, there are some miniature instruments that can actually be played.  If this is something you are interested in, make sure to read the description of the model carefully so that you are actually buying a working instrument. Some examples of working miniature instruments are a harp, guitar, or trumpet.

7. People

Collecting models of miniature people is very popular. Some of the people you will find are just standing in normal positions.  These are great models to treat as little dolls if you’d like to dress them and pose them as you would like.  Others are doing more active things, like running or dancing or playing some type of sport.  If you want to collect miniature models of people that look like you and your family and friends, you can contact an artist to have them handmade specifically for you.  Otherwise, you can pick and choose models of people that look interesting to you.  

8. Houses and Buildings

Another great category of miniatures to collect is buildings and houses.  Collect enough buildings from the city in which you live to create a complete replica.  If that seems like too ambitious of a project for you, simply recreate your town’s main street or your neighborhood. For those who like to travel the world, collecting miniature versions of buildings from cities in which you have visited is a fun pastime.  It’s also a great souvenir option, and a great way to reminisce upon great memories. 

9. Animals

For the animal lover, miniature animal models are a great collector’s item. Create your own zoo with any type of exotic animal that you can think of.  A fun and interesting way to collect miniature animals is to obtain the most common animal from each country around the world. If that is too large of a scale for you, try starting with replicas of pets that you have had throughout your life.  Domesticated animals are easy to find miniatures of, and having them in your house will help you remember your animals fondly.  

10. Dioramas

Last on our list, but not least, is the category of miniature dioramas.  While most of the other categories allow you to collect single items that are purchased separately, a diorama gives you an entire scene all in one. This is a great collectible item for those who are very interested in history.  For example, someone who loves learning about the Civil War could collect scenes of different battles from the war, like the Battle of Bull Run or the Battle of Gettysburg.  There are miniature dioramas of almost any historical moment that you could be interested in. 

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How to Choose a Holster

When choosing a holster for your 1911 pistol, there are a few important factors to consider. The first is its model, as mentioned above, because that has an effect on what size firearm your holster can accommodate. Next, consider the material or finish you would like your holster to be made from.  Look for something that is both durable and lightweight. Lastly, you will want to consider the amount of retention that fits your needs..  The amount of retention offered increases with the level of retention the holster provides.  So, for example, a Level III Retention holster has three steps before the weapon is removed from the holster, and therefore, has a high retention.

Holsters for 1911 Pistol

Safariland Model 6395 ALS Low-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster

If you have a five inch, government model 1911 pistol, one of the best holster choices is a Safariland Model 6395 ALS Low-Ride, Level I Retention Duty Holster. This Level I Retention holster has relatively low retention for a quick draw if necessary.  This means that only one release needs to be deactivated before the weapon can be removed. There is also the option to add an ALS Guard to this holster if you do wish to increase the holster’s retention to Level II Retention. 

The body of the holster is made from SafariLaminate.  This is a material that is heat-formed and is made specifically to protect your handgun and its sights from moisture, dirt, and force. It also has a suede interior lining to keep the finish of your weapon from scratching and moisture as well. To allow for your firearm to be close to your body, this holster model features a low-ride belt loop that is one-and-a-half inches lower than the standard. 

Safariland Model 7376 7TS ALS Hi-Ride Belt Slide Concealment Holster

The Safariland Model 7376 7TS ALS Hi-Ride Belt Slide Concealment Holster is a great option for any of the 1911 size models.  Its open top design and lack of SLS allows for a quick retrieval of your weapon once the simple ALS release is deactivated. This holster is made from the proprietary SafariSeven material.  It is a nylon blend that is used specifically so that it does not irritate or scratch the surface of your weapon. The matte finish on the exterior of the weapon is meant to reduce reflection and can be easily maintained. 

The construction and design of this holster is made with raised, stand off surfaces.  This is meant to increase the amount of air space around your weapon, keeping the contact from dirt and moisture to a minimum. If you intend to use your holster in extreme temperatures or climates, then this is a great choice.  It can withstand heat up to 300 ℉ and cold down to -50 ℉. Additionally, it can be submerged in water for extended periods of time and still maintain its integrity. This holster is considered “hi-ride” because it sits one inch higher than a standard belt slide. 

Safariland Model 7378 7TS ALS Concealment Paddle and Belt Loop Combo Holster

The Safariland Model 7378 7TS ALS Concealment Paddle and Belt Loop Combo Holster is a great option for those with a 1911 Officer’s Model, although it does accommodate other 1911 models as well.  The best part about this holster is that it has the security of an Automatic Locking System, but the speed of an open top design. Just a single swipe of the thumb and your firearm is released and ready to go.

For durability and protection, this holster is made from SafariSeven, Safariland’s proprietary nylon blend.  This keeps the finish on your firearm safe from abrasion with every draw. Like the other holsters on our list, the interior of the holster has raised, stand off surfaces that allow air to flow around your weapon, protecting it from moisture and dirt. Since it is made from SafariSeven material, it has weather resistance, and protection from extreme heat and cold with a safe range from 300 ℉ to -50 ℉. An injection molded belt loop can be adjusted for cant upon arrival, and can be worn cross draw if necessary. 

Final Thoughts

Finding a holster for your 1911 pistol can be a difficult and daunting task.  The three holsters described in this article are great options that have a lot of online sales and great user reviews.  However, one holster is not right for everyone.  It eventually comes down to personal preference.  Test some holsters out to see what features you like and dislike.  Practice using holsters with different types of locking systems, cants, draws, etc.  If you do this before you shop, then you will be much more aware of what you are looking for in a holster.

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Types of Artifacts 

While perusing the National WWII Museum, you will find two general types of artifacts.  These are “general” or “sample” artifacts and “personal” artifacts.  The general artifacts are things like uniforms, helmets, or weapons that were mass produced for all service members during the war.  These artifacts do not have a connection to a specific person or a specific story, but are valuable and important artifacts representing the war and the time period. The artifacts that are categorized as personal are those that are known to belong to a specific person, place, or instance.  These artifacts have a story or background that is known and portrayed by the museum. 

General Artifacts

M1 Carbine

One of the weapons that was commonly used during WWII was the M1 Carbine.  This weapon was a standard issue firearm for the United States military during WWII, and can be seen in many places throughout the museum’s collection.  The M1 Carbine is a lightweight, semi-automatic weapon that was easy for soldiers to carry and load.  It was extremely cost-effective, so it was a great choice to mass produce for the military.  In addition to its price of production, this weapon was chosen for its close-range accuracy, and its lightweight build.  Both of these features gave American soldiers an advantage when it came to combat. 

M3 Fighting Knife

A popular edged weapon that you will find at the National WWII Museum is the M3 fighting knife.  This knife, also referred to as the trench knife, was made in 1943 and was originally designed to give to soldiers who were not issued a bayonet for their firearm. The M3 fighting knife is a close combat weapon, so it was given to soldiers who were in danger of being in hand-to-hand combat situations.  Additionally, soldiers who were issued an M1 Carbine typically were given an M3 fighting knife as well, before the bayonet ring was added to the M1 Carbine towards the end of the war. This specific knife was created to conserve precious metal resources. 

M7 Grenade Launcher

In addition to the typical, standard issue weapons, there are some more specialized and unique weapons used during WWII. One of these is the M7 grenade launcher.  This is a 22mm rifle attachment for the M1 Garand, a larger firearm used commonly during the war. The attachment was tube-shaped, and slipped over the muzzle of the rifle and attached to the bayonet mount.  Using this weapon, a soldier could launch a grenade up to 200 meters, as opposed to the maximum of 30 meters that they could throw a grenade by hand.  While using the M7 grenade launcher, a soldier was not able to fire his weapon normally. 

M1/M1A1 Flamethrowers

The M1 flamethrower was a portable flamethrower that was developed in 1941 and used during WWII by the United States military.  This weapon was a backpack that weighed 72 pounds.  It could hold up to five gallons of fuel in its tank and had a range of 15 meters.  In 1943, it was replaced by the M1A1 model that was lighter, 65 pounds, and had a much longer range of 45 meters, all while holding the same amount of fuel.  The M1A1 model was much more effective, and fired napalm, a thickened fuel that “sticks” to its target.

Personal Artifacts

Japanese 38 Carbine

One of the most popular personal artifacts in the museum is a Japanese 38 Carbine.  This particular weapon was brought back from the war by Major Abraham Lewis Kolodny. Dr. Kolodny was a surgeon whose station came under Japanese fire one day.  This sniper fire was endangering his patients and staff, as well as himself.  Dr. Kolodny, wanting to keep his station safe, found a bazooka man.  He bet him five dollars that he could not hit the sniper.  After a short time had passed, the fire had ceased, and the bazooka man came back to collect his money.  Kolodny kept the sniper rifle as a souvenir.  It was donated to the museum recently by Kolodny’s son.  

V44 Stiletto

Another personal artifact with an interesting history is the V44 Stiletto that was owned and used by Sergeant Irving Becker. Becker, an Austrian Jew who served for the United States military during the war, was discriminated against by both sides because of his background.  Throughout his trials and tribulations, he still found himself an integral part of one of the more elite Allied forces that was ever assembled. 

Visiting the Collection

This article details a small amount of the weapons and history included at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA.  If you are truly interested in weapons from that time period, it is the greatest and most extensive collection to visit. Not only will you see the best WWII weapons collection, but you will also see a wide range of other artifacts from the war as well.  This museum is an amazing experience for WWII weapons enthusiasts.

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