Virtual Tour: Cody Firearms Museum

/ forgottenweapons
centerofthewest.org/explore/f...
The Cody Firearms Museum is a part of the Buffalo Bill Center for the West, and one of the very best firearms museums in the US (if not the world). It incorporates a number of substantial donated collections, the most impressive of them being the Winchester factory collection. Thanks to this, the museum has a fantastic array of Winchester production and prototype arms, as well as an extensive archive of factory documentation and correspondence. Unlike many museums, it also makes a concerted effort to actually display as much of its collection as possible - currently approximately 4,000 of its 7,000 weapons are visible to the public.
A project is in progress to completely renovate the galleries, bringing yet more of the collection into displays, and improving the interpretation and information presented with the guns. I'm really excited to see that process take shape; I think there is a tremendous potential for it to to really set a bold standard for arms museums everywhere. The Curator, Ashley Hlebinsky, is an energetic and passionate advocate for the institution (I will be posting an interview with her next Monday), and has a great vision for the institution!
The Museum is located in Cody, Wyoming and is part of a larger overall institution, the Buffalo Bill Center. Alongside the firearms museum there is also a natural history museum, a museum of the Plains Indians, a Western art museum, and a museum dedicated to Buffalo Bill Cody himself and his Wild West Show. This is an assortment sure to provide plenty of interesting diversion for any follow travelers who may not want to spend a day in a firearms museum (I know, who wouldn't want to do that?). You can have a great time there, and then continue your trip into the glorious Yellowstone National Park just a few miles west of Cody. Or if you are more interested in human events than nature, two and a half hours to the northeast is the site of the epic Battle of the Little Bighorn (or as its victors called it, the Battle of the Greasy Grass).
But whatever finds you in Wyoming or Montana, the Cody Firearms Museum is a must-see stop for anyone interested in firearms history and development.

[@douglasfulmer5483]

As always, Cody Firearms Museum will be on sale in Rock Island Auction in their August of 2016 premiere auction.

[@TheAdventureCowboy]

Those who are unhappy with the video, please understand that it is VERY difficult to film in that museum. Unless you set up a special event with the museum, you are not allowed to use lights, tripods, monopods, etc. The lighting in the museum is great for the displays, but really bad for cameras. So, you are severely limited in what equipment you can use, and given the size of the museum, it is not practical to do slow, stable shots of each display. I also have a video virtual tour of the Cody Firearms Museum, and my video is about 36 minutes long. I imagine that Ian worked very hard to make this video happen. My own video took 8-10 hours for me to edit down to half an hour length.

[@unionrdr]

It's not easy to cut a ton of video down to a manageable length while still maintaining detail. But you did need to move slower, since film speeds up movement a couple times. I had like problems with super 8mm at the Mound City museum in Ohio years ago. Not the least of which was lighting.

[@WhiteSandsMbuna]

You are correct. Its all atmosphere based with dim lighting, and cases lighted. I presume to preserve artifacts. The first time i went here, i spent 5 hours in the museum, and felt like i only put adequate time into 1/2 the displays.

[@sdriza]

Thanks for your video as well.

[@TheAdventureCowboy]

@@sdriza Thank you! I need to do another since they completely remodeled the museum after I filmed mine.

[@ashleysmith3106]

Good Grief! Information overload! My great regret is that as a crippled 69 year-old collector and firearms enthusiast, I will never be able to afford to come to America to view such amazing collections as this! (short of winning a lottery). Thanks Ian, for giving us an insight as to how vast it is.

[@michaelflynn3970]

Awesome vid! It is kind of a neat flash back. They reorganized the whole Firearms museum not too long ago, and I feel it flows much better now, than the older style. Always worth the trip when visiting Cody and Yellowstone!

[@MrSparkyframes]

I was 11 in 1992.....when I got to see this museum. .....it left quite an impression. .....I've always wanted to go back. .....thank you so much for sharing

[@ourlordandsaviorjohnmosesb4980]

Yeah, enjoy that gallery of my work a lot of sweat and time went into that.

[@donremley7854]

This museum is fantastic. We were there last year. It would take you a very long time to go through the whole thing. Cody is a neat town....loved it.

[@buildingglocks5797]

Ian’s in heaven every time I went out west with my grandpa he always made sure to take me to the Cody museum

[@Warrior2200]

Dig Semmerlings. Fished just outside of Cody for a week. Saw a lot of trucks with dogs in the back!! Loved it, perfect country.

[@andyraven]

i really like those pull out display cases, really nifty.

[@bgreene65g]

I could spend days in there. great video thx Ian

[@GiveMeYourNachosButthead]

This place is amazing! I could stay it in for hours and just daydream, lol.

[@blazer6248]

I was there in Cody over the weekend, all the way from Louisiana. Unfortunately, the guy I was with was not interested in going here whatsoever. He wouldn't even drive by so I could see it. I was extremely disappointed.

[@hardchooligan]

Sounds like you need a boyfriend with better taste

[@GiveMeYourNachosButthead]

I’m with you Adam O! He’s not a true American or even a good guy not taking his lady to see something she wants to see. I wish I could say since I’ve made this post till now that I’ve experienced this museum, but not yet. Whenever I do go, I’ll be making sure to at least get two days out of the place.

[@Terry-hh3sx]

Also when in Wyoming, go to the tank museum in Dubois. It has a lot of special guns from privately owned famous people. And war memorabilia from all over the world,tanks motorcycles,uniforms, you name it,it's there.

[@MarkWarbington]

Love your videos. Suddenly came over all nauseous and sweaty about half way through this one. Realized it was motion sickness. Anyone else?

[@TIEpilot918]

I really liked the FPI experience in this video (First Person Ian).

[@XBLArmory]

If you are ever in Virginia you might want to check out the tank museum, they have mostly tanks but a sizeable collection of firearms mostly surrounding the period from the civil war to Vietnam and the largest collection of international military garb I've ever seen. Their gun's on display are something over 300 but they include weapons from all the country's who participated in WW2 and a few later conflicts the US participated in. They also have a minuteman rocket.

[@eskimo05w]

Cody Wyoming is just east of Yellowstone National Park. Seeing those two together would definitely make it worth the trip!

[@amendable5401]

Thanks for the heads up on this museum Ian. It was very well done. Those pull out trays are cool. I always thought something like that would be awesome. “Oh which country? Which war?” Boom then you slide open one of those cabinets and voila all (or most) of the small arms used by that country in that war.

[@markgman4157]

Thanks for bringing the museum to my attention a few months ago. I spent about 10 days in Yellowstone the beginning of the month a took a day at the museum. Very impressive place. The Indian Museum & Buffalo Bill Museums were also interesting for those travelling with non gun nuts.

[@MrZachxd]

i have been there. worth the trip for sure

[@georgem7965]

If you are ever in the Chicago area you might want to spend some time at the 1st Infantry Division Museum, Cantigny, at Wheaton, IL. Of particular interest is the World War I sections given the Centennial and your current emphasis on WW1. The museum is on the grounds of the estate of COL McCormick who was the artillery commander of the 1st Inf. Div. during WW1 and was the publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It was founded in the early '60s and has lots of military vehicles and equipment displayed outside including a WW1 Renault tank.

[@apollohateshisdayjob9606]

wow this brought back so many memories of when I went there as a kid 15 years ago on a family vacation. It's a few states over, but now I really want to make another trip! Thanks for the great video :)

[@imscuba]

Unfortunately, I'll never be able to visit this place.. however thanks to you, I just enjoyed a mighty fine glimpse. I thoroughly enjoy your videos, please keep up the fine work, thats straight forward, precise, accurate and not full of mindless 'razzle dazzle'. You do great work.. keep it up.. thank you again.

[@vandor1976]

Thank you! I am living in the uk and I don't think I ever see this museum with my eyes.

[@jerryhammack1318]

Thank you Ian! Most of us will never be able to get there and greatly appreciate the video and your time for sharing!

[@malcolmtaylor518]

Nicely laid out, interesting museum. Well done Cody Museum.

[@dixie_rekd9601]

PLEASE IAN.... a slow smooth narrated crawl with a HD 360 camera would be amazing. seriously...... amazing.

[@WhiteSandsMbuna]

As a side note, the wyoming territorial prison museum in the TOWN of Laramie Wyoming, has quite a surprising ammount of historical rifles on display in the museum. The wyoming frontier prison in Rawlins wyoming, has a few historic rifles in their museum. That prison is unrestored and has a tour that feels like abandoned building exploration.

[@troy9477]

Very nice. Somehow i hadn't seen this video yet. Been hearing about the museum and the center for years. Nice to get a sense how big and comprehensive it is. My buddy and i will probably make a pilgrimage next year. The only time i've been through Wyoming was when we moved back to CA 34 yrs ago, at the age of 11. Only places i remember stopping were Little America and Rawlins for lunch (both on I-80). It'll be nice to go back and see some sights, and of course Yellowstone. Great video as always. Thank you

[@jamesstone9218]

I went there in 2014 and I loved it! I spent two days in the museum

[@blazer6248]

I was just in Cody this weekend. When I learned we were going to Cody, Wyoming, I KNEW where the first place I was going was. Lol! Wyoming is BEAUTIFUL in, August. Wow! So is Cody.

[@tranders365]

Fantastic! Thanks Ian for sharing this video.

[@warmachine_1396]

Just visited there a couple weeks ago....amazing museum!!!

[@smokymountainoutdoorsman1991]

I could look around in there for days!

[@raymondgill9796]

A stunning museum. Thank you for posting. I remember a while back you asked the question should guns be in museums or private collections. This is a powerful argument for the former. Perhaps we could have the best of both worlds if collectors endowed museums. Thanks again for all the hard work you do to bring these videos to us.

[@bilboproudfoot]

I'm really glad that you are able to start going places like this. For all of you that don't help out, you should. Ian is worth every penny.

[@WhatIsYourMalfunction]

I'm on vacation and will be in Cody next week. I haven't seen the museum since 1992, and it looks like a larger collection today. Thanks for the peak Ian!

[@Mikhavoc]

incredible! thanks Ian!

[@stephenwoods4118]

Awesome tour.

[@markhollier1]

A tour of this place with Ian as the guide would be terrific!

[@cecilbennett5403]

Ian, as usual, a professional video that has me slobbering. The worst thing for me in visiting museums is not being able to handle the firearms, to bring them to my shoulder for long guns or feel them in my hand for short arms. While l fully appreciate the reasons they cannot allow the public to do such, it still leaves me with unscratched itches, lol.

[@joedeangelo3032]

Just visited a few weeks ago. Only had one day at the ‘Center’. I will be returning and will reserve several days for ONLY the firearms section!

[@mathius_aoc8604]

Awesome collection, your videos make buying guns so tempting!

[@scottjohnson3226]

Thanks for the tour!

[@dobypilgrim6160]

A day in that firearms museum is really not enough. You will leave thinking you only really 'saw' about 10% of it. The other museums there are equally impressive, with the western art museum being particularly moving to me. I have only been there a few times, but it was well worth the trip. Couple that with a hop up to Yellowstone and you have a memorable vacation.

[@fingersmcgillicuddy]

What a cool place, thanks Ian!

[@UnidentifiedMadMan]

Awesome, Ian! Can't wait for the next video!

[@kennebecsmitty]

That is cool!I always wanted to go there,definitely on the bucket list!

[@AxeGaijin]

Ian nearly forgot the forgotten weapon display :)

[@sdriza]

Thanks. On my bucket list.

[@javoss123]

Astonishing! I had no idea! Cody, Wyoming just made the bucket list.

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Definitely a museum I would like to visit.

[@dalpro29]

I really enjoy your videos, thank you. I think you may enjoy a trip around the Royal Armouries here in Leeds UK if you haven't already been.

[@varney2010]

what an amazing place, thanks for the tour

[@brucebaxter6923]

Woah, dizzy. Don't think your camera is up to motion shots. Great video though.

[@lptomtom]

Yeah, 60fps would've helped quite a bit here

[@finalesaint1006]

+lptomtom Nope.

[@dixie_rekd9601]

its the way hes waving his camera around...

[@truckcop1]

Agree. Sorry Ian but I just couldn't watch the whole thing. Way too fast on the scanning. Getting too dizzy just watching it.

[@patricktakada9551]

I may not be a 1911 guy but I wouldn't turn down one made by JMB himself...

[@GreatMercenary]

That's like every 1911 fan's dream, I would love to have one in my collection.

[@GiveMeYourNachosButthead]

Damn right man!

[@squishyblanket]

This is so cool! Thanks for sharing this!

[@tynado1173]

had no idea this place existed. This video just blew my mind

[@davidspangler6750]

I would take forever looking through there what an amazing place

[@javaking1000]

I couldn't watch this video either. It's a shame you didn't pan just a bit slower! Thank-you Ian for trying to bring us this very interesting museum. Your videos are the best, and you're so damn knowledgeable! Big fan here!

[@Mamiya645]

A circular polarizer will help take care of reflections, it's a very useful add-on filter in situations of shooting anything that has the chance to shine or reflect. Science!

[@electrichellion5946]

Wow. Thanks for posting this video(and others like it). I'll bet plan on spending at least a full day there. Heck. I wanna go there with you for a day(make it two).

[@steeltalon2356]

Nice! I had no idea these museums were there. If I'm ever taking a trip to Yellowstone I'm definitely going to check these out.

[@derekw8475]

Fascinating! I could spend a month going through there. If only there was a way for us peasants to go to museums like this and hold the weapons without being a curator. It's one thing to look at it through glass, but it is entirely different to feel it in your hands.

[@RJM1011]

GREAT to see thank you for the video.

[@FistyMcBeef0001]

went through all the museums on my way from yellowstone to crazy horse, the whole complex is wonderful but by far my favorite parts were the plains indians museum and this

[@highlandoutsider8148]

that was pretty awesome, havin yousel as a tour guide would awesome too.

[@clyntonkeel334]

Great video, really good style of video.. hope you get to do some more like it .. :)

[@NebulousCat]

I wanted you to stop at each case for at least 5 minutes. I could spend all day at this museum.

[@crox22dnb]

Wow, I wanted this video to last about 10 times as long. This is a really impressive collection, and I don't know that I'll ever be able to get up to Wyoming to see it in person.

[@elchuco00]

Awesome! Thank you

[@roadpanzir]

Ian-my head is now spinning! I have never even heard of this place, gatlings, sharps, airguns, adirondack? I better go see this museum before hillary shuts it down

[@alexdesjarlais5253]

I was just there 2 weeks ago!!!! pretty awesome!

[@djsnowman06]

love this channel

[@colsoncustoms8994]

Man, I'd love to check that place out some day.

[@mariorossiexcite]

Great video!

[@colmhain]

I've linked this to you before, but I just wanted to remind you and others that this place is great. Maybe not as extensive as the Cody museum, but still worth a look. So, if you're ever down this way.....

[@mattdickson2]

this is like the only forgotten weapons video with suggested videos that arent for kids

[@keikuru1]

i thought that was just me, it always baffled me. i think it's just that kids channels are so popular on youtube now, there are videos of people opening kids toys that get hundreds of millions of views, it's crazy.

[@XBLArmory]

I think it's the tag, Forgotten Weapons tags it's videos educational and so do those shitty kids videos. Either youtube fixed the problem or Ian changed the tag. The more pressing question is who is the chick in all of those recommended videos and where has she been my whole life.

[@Rhynome]

Though if that were the case I'd get them suggested for other videos I watch, which doesn't seem to happen. I suspect it's down to the odd letters and numbers that often pop up in the titles, e.g. "1917 LMR" which overlaps somehow with education videos on learning to read or count.

[@security225]

great video as usual

[@09zoulzm]

Just so happens I was heading to Yellowstone from Michigan in about a week. Definitely going to stop in here.

[@Linerax]

The museum oozes with freedom.

[@TheBeaverGamer]

I live about 5 hours from here, definitely my favorite museum on earth

[@victorrasilla]

so cool! I hope one day I'll be able to meet Ian and get a pic with him!

[@landrystewart6210]

you should check out the J.M. Davis gun museum in Tulsa Oklahoma. It holds the record for the largest collection of privately owned guns

[@robvanmol]

Very, very cool museum.

[@jamesjohnson3334]

one day i would love to get over there and see it myself looks awesome

[@Vampirization]

I wish there was a museum kinda like this near me here in Sweden.. all we have is a museum filled with ancient stuff. .having handled a thousand year old viking axe head is quite a proud moment for me though. :P

[@bitfreakazoid]

Very cool. I love how they are displayed, and those sliding cabinets were really awesome. I need to make a trip there sometime. Isn't Paladin's revolver and rig there!?

[@jakekillify]

America has gone through a great deal of war and struggle in it's short existence compared to older countries. Lots of history in a very neat package. Love to visit sometime.

[@DeathbyDusk]

Not even close to the amount of war the British Empire, or Germanic states have gone through. Or China, or Japan. All of which were in a near constant states of war during Feudalism, which in the case of the latter two, went on for thousands of years. The US and North America in general have been relatively peaceful compared to the rest of the world, both in the short term and the long term.

[@grindstone4910]

If you guys ever make it out to the JM Davis Gun Museum near Tulsa, OK, let me know! I'd love to come and hang out!

[@user-ep2ge2ts4u]

I like gun

[@corndogg4279]

if you ever want to see a great collection of Browning's work there is a museum in Ogden Utah about a block away from his first factory worth the trip if you are ever in the area

[@55seddel]

You are by far the guy I'd most want to tour the Liberty Memorial WWI museum with, Ian. Let me know if you are ever in the area.

[@joew5792]

we had a Gatling gun shooting blanks in our parade this year, god bless cody wy

[@Jesses001]

I totally need one of those slide out displays for my house, ha.

[@chzzyg2698]

I could spend a week looking at all the things there.

[@ratoncolorado7227]

You should stop by Collectors Firearms in Houston if you get a chance, they have the biggest inventory of firearms in Texas, ive been there a few times and still haven't seen them all.

[@Kaelland]

If you ever find yourself in Northeast Oklahoma, you should check out the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum.

[@laurensscheerstra6469]

Love your vids Cheers laurens

[@B60IN3]

Wow. All I can say is WOW!