Symbols were universal on the early frontier, understood by Indians and frontiersmen as a way of communication. Often times the bark was cut away from the tree leaving an area to paint the symbols. These symbols were also used to create maps or generate warnings for the next traveler. These symbols come from "The Painted Tree" by Doug Hall and signify: We are armed, This is our boundry and We will defend.
Photograph
Photograph
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
"Take 'Em"
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
Tin Advertising Sign
World War I Recruiting Poster
World War I Recruiting Poster
Bronze on Marble
Original logo of our founding company. Over a century old, the Norwalk Vault Company established patents on burial vault molds beginning in 1902.
Presented to Norwalk Precast Molds in recognition of 100 years of service to our Community.
Used on burial vaults in the 1900's.
Features Sioux Indian chief, Ta-to-ka-in-yan-ka. The chief refused to wear his war bonnet for the portrait, so a war bonnet from the opposing Pawnee Nation was substituted, causing ill will between the Sioux and Pawnee peoples.
This 1901 $10 Note features an American Bison and two famous American explorers, Meriwether Lewis & William Clark. It was circulated during the 100 year anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Bison notes were printed until the early 1920's.
Arrowheads (points) were tools used by many ancient people. Native Americans crafted numerous types of points for various uses.
Points were vital to almost all of the Native American tribes. The art of making arrowheads was something all of the American Indian boys would learn as children. Arrowheads had different uses and foremost they were used for hunting.
Arrowheads hold great historical significance and provide valuable insight to long-gone cultures. Native Americans designed many arrowheads, with 1,200 different types on record.
Native Americans made arrowheads using a chipping process called knapping. After the flint was removed from the quarry, the large piece was reduced by a blow to the edge with a piece of hard stone. The piece was then pressure chipped using a sharpened deer or elk antler to finely chip the edge until sharp.
After an arrowhead was sharp, it was fitted with a handle or hafting. The shaft then usually split and the point inserted.
Arrowheads, or projectile points are one of the most recognizable Native American artifacts. They hold great historical significance & provide valuable insight to past cultures.
Location stands as the most definitive indicator of an arrowhead type. Specific types of arrowheads may be found only in certain regions.
The material from which an arrowhead was crafted is an important classification tool. Knowing the material significantly helps determine where a point originated.
When classifying arrowheads, the shape of the base is first noted, followed by its overall shape and design. There are 6 base shapes and 10 basic categories for overall shape. Notches and fluting are also indicative of an arrowheads type and age.
Pottery shards are broken fragments of pottery. Pottery shards are important to archaeologists because they usually present in large numbers and are sensitive to time and areal differences.
Pottery shards display different characteristics such as the variations in color, thickness, hardness, tempering material and decorative treatment. Various characteristics change through time and space, and specific characteristics may be associated with certain areas and certain time periods.
Originating during the Archaic period, stone axes have been used as tools and ritual objects. Axes were grooved, either completely around the four faces of the tool, or on three of the four faces. These groove patterns give rise to the terms "full" and "threequarter" grooved axes.
Early humans did not have many materials available. Materials available were trees, rocks and minerals. Rocks have a wide variety of use from crushing wild grains to produce flour or being fashioned into weapons.
War clubs encompass a wide variety of weapons used by the different tribes of Native Americans.
Manufactured by the W.D. Allen Mfg Co., in Chicago, Illinois.
Early Native American knives were made of sharpened stone, particularly flint and obsidian. Copper knives were also popular Native American weapons.
After the Spanish settlers arrived, the Native Americans started using horses for transportation. The horse made the lives easier and hunting buffalo became much simpler.
Columbia River region, gourds are dried, painted & hand decorated.
Gourds are dried, painted and decorated. Each is a one-of-a-kind work of art.
Designed with bronze and carved wood, the lid features a pair of bird dogs on point.
Handmade in England, the silver fox captures the likeness of a sly fox with remarkable detailed features and texturing.
Engraved with the quote "I like pigs: cats look down on human beings, dogs look up to them, but pigs just treat us as their equals" from Winston Churchill.
A wolf with the quote "It was the long wolf-howl, full-throated and mournful, the first howl he had ever uttered" from Jack London's novel White Fang.
Wolf with the quote "There is a patience of the wild - dogged, tireless, persistent as life itself" from Jack London's novel Call of the Wild.
A shot horn is a container for gunpowder / shot, created from cow, ox or buffalo horn. An original American art form, they vary from crude carvings to elegant scrimshaw, depicting scenes from nature, maps and history. Typically these have a stopper at both ends and are held by a long strap.
Found in Northern Michigan, locked in a battle until death. Antlers are found on all members of the deer family (Cervidae) including deer, elk, caribou and moose. Antlers are true bone and composed primarily of calcium and phosphorus. Each year, antlers are dropped or shed and grown anew. Antler sizes are determined by three factors, age, nutrition and genetics.
Honoring the fighting spirit of the U.S. Marines and the enduring mascot of America's military brotherhood: The Marine Devil Dog. This pistol is decorated in a sparkling 24-karat gold over a handsome blued steel background, capturing the Marine's time honored spirit of camaraderie & devotion.
This limited edition Colt .45 pistol was selected to honor each of our Armed Forces. The Colt Silver Tribute is polished and plated with beautiful, yet heavy-duty, Nickel plating. This pistol is honoring the Marine Corps with a custom checkered Rosewood grip.
The Colt .45 best embodies the spirit of those who served in the 20th Century, being actively used from 1911 - 1985. This limited edition Colt .45 pistol pays tribute and honors the Marine Corps. The Golden Tribute is polished and plated with 24-Karat Gold.
This Colt 1860 .44 caliber is a black powder revolver with brass frame, nickel barrel and cylinder and is all fully engraved. The grey felt lined walnut display case holds all the items needed to fire this revolver including caps, balls, bullet mould and powder flask.
This Colt 1861 Cap and Ball is a black powder revolver with a round barrel, a 6-shot cylinder and walnut piece grip. The grey felt lined walnut display case holds all the items needed to fire this revolver including caps, balls, bullet mould and powder flask.
Frank Wesson rifles were a series of single shot rifles manufactured in the late 1800's in Worcester, Massachusetts. During the American Civil War many state governments purchased these rifles. They were the first rifles to use rimfire metallic cartridges.
The rimfire principal was used to create the first successful self-contained metallic ammunition. Rimfire cases were constructed with the priming compound spun inside the rim of the copper or brass case, which was crushed by the blow of the firing pin to ignite the main powder charge
The first rimfire cartridges were .22s, but after the type became established many larger caliber rimfire cartridges were developed in the mid to late 19th Century. The best known larger caliber rimfires are the .25 Stevens, .32 Long and .44 Henry Flat.
Manufacturers in the USA generally discontinued making .32 rimfire ammunition after the country's entrance into WWII in 1941. During its lifetime, the .32 rimfire was loaded with black powder followed by semi-smokeless and smokeless powder loadings.
In 1871, Gilbert Harrington invented the shell-ejecting revolver. For the first time, a firearm was durable and accurate. Teaming up with William Richardson, they created Harrington & Richardson, known for their high-quality, superior revolvers and shotguns.
Harrington and Richardson built a state-of-the-art factory in Worcester, MA. In 1932, the H&R pistol was used to set a new U.S. pistol record, and would go on to become the most famous firearm of its kind, the U.S.R.A. single-shot target pistol.
Produced in the 1920's and 30's, the Handy Gun was marketed as a cheap and effective way of dealing with varmints. It has an 8" long round barrel, fitted with a smooth forearm & checkered pistol grip stock, with a finger rest trigger guard and color case hardened receiver.
Firearms produced by Harrington & Richardson until 1911 carry an extreme value as original antiquities. Original rifles and shotguns from these dates are scarce because of their limited production and discontinued parts.
Over the years, H&R Company experienced success and was in business for over a century. However, in 1986 the company closed and the factory was demolished. In 1991, a new company, H&R 1871 was formed and they produce rifles and shotguns using original H&R designs.
By James Gang Taxidermy
The bugle is one of the most effortless brass instruments, with no valves or other pitch altering devices. The bugle tassel is generally around the lower part of the bugle tubing.
Original military boots worn by Marine Corps enlisted men during the early Vietnam Era.
Fool's Gold or iron pyrite is a brassy yellow mineral that is often mistaken for gold. At one time, pyrite was commercially mined as a source for sulfur. In what appears to be gold, this pyrite was found near Indian Ford running through Line's Creek and the Tellico River in Monroe County, Tennessee.
The John Deere Knife Collection features 14 varieties of knives ranging from a single blade pocket knife to a green bone pocket knife with three blades. This collection is from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. Founded in 1889 by four brothers, W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of premium, hand-crafted knives that are passed down for generations.
In 1937, a small group of conservationists realized that the majority of North America's waterfowl breed in the Canadian prairies, so they organized to raise money in the United States for waterfowl conservation in Canada. It was this unique idea that became Ducks Unlimited. Since 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 million acres of waterfowl habitat across North America.
Our patent protected technologies record the advancements we have made in our industry throughout the history of our company operations.