Katie,

Try the local National Guard or a nearby military post.  You can also contact the curator at West Point for advice.  Also, it would be prudent step to make sure that the firing mechanism is disabled so that the weapon cannot fire if it is stolen.  You can also contact John Quarstein, director of the War Memorial Museum in Newport News Virginia,  (757) 247-8523, he might be able to help.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Associate Conservator,
Metals & Arms
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, Virginia  23187-1776  USA
Voice:    757-220-7039
E-Mail:   [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From:   Museum discussion list  On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent:   Tuesday, September 15, 1998 6:40 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Need Help with Gun to display

I am in desperate need for an M-16 gun Vietnam Issue.  We are opening the
Vietnam Era Educational Center next Wednesday in Holmdel, NJ.  We got a
replica gun and our design team and mounter think it is horrible.  We tried to
get a real gun and after must disappointment we were unable to get one.  We
finally got this replica that we were told was "excellent".  When it arrived
we found out that it was a piece of junk.  We want to exhibit this gun in our
exhibit.
If anyone can offer us any suggestions I would appreciate it.  PLease e-mail
me at [log in to unmask] or call (800) 648-8387.
Thanks in advance.

Katie Jones
Collections Manager
Vietnam Era Educational Center