So much about the storage of historic firearms really depends on the
space, the environmetnal conditions, security, and how accessible you
need them to be. I have seen numerous approaches to this from historic
arms displayed in historic and reproduction buildings (including an
orignal powder magazine from 1710) to storage in cabinets, racks, and
in gun safes.

It is vital to establish a space with a stable environment. In
historic arms you often have a composite object with wood, metals, and
somtimes inlays, all in intimate contact and unter tension from
fasteners. Too much RH and the wood swells against the steel and brass
mounts and the different metals in contact with one another start to
corrode; too little RH and you get shrinkage, spiltting, lossening,
and also the failure of old animal-based adhesives.

You also need a space that will be as dust-free as possible. If you
have ever seen a rifle of musket barrel detached from the wooden
stock, you will see that the top and exposed part of the barrel is
often rusted and pitted whilst the portion below, contained in the
stock, is almost pristine.

And keep a big supply of gloves around - you will always see someone's
fingerprints corroded and etched onto the barrels and brass mounts!

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

On 2/23/07, Jane McDonald <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We recently started a project for storing historic gun collections at
> the Springfield Armory.  There are options for traditional gun storage
> and also storage for artifact gun collections.  If you wanted to talk
> with the person who did the design, please call Sean Rogers at
> 800-229-8393 ext. 36.  Sean could also point you in the direction of his
> contact at the Armory.
>
> Regards,
> Jane
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Blay, Joshua K.
> Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 1:34 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Gun and Rifle Storage
>
> Does anyone have some storage cabinets for firearms they would like to
> recommend?
>
> Best,
>
> --
> Joshua K. Blay
> Associate Director/Museum Curator
> The Historical Society of Berks County
> (610) 375-4375
>
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