The city of Prosser, Washington, named for Civil War veteran Colonel William Farrand Prosser, was incorporated in 1899 with a population of 230 people. Colonel Prosser and his wife Flora claimed a homestead near the site of an ancient Yakama Indian fishery in 1892. The Yakama Indians had, of course, lived in the area for thousands of years, The Prosser Historical Museum has exhibits showing the history of the region. Included in the Museum are two exhibits of rifles.
Shown above is a Springfield Model 1863 Rifle-Musket which was produced from 1863-1865 (the Civil War years).
Shown above is the British Land Pattern Musket manufactured by the East Indian Company and the Royal Small Arms Factory from 1722 through the 1860s. It was also known as the Brown Bess.
Detail of the Brown Bess. This is a flintlock in which the flint (a stone) strikes steel to produce the spark which ignited the gunpowder.
Shown above is a U.S. Model 1816 Musket manufactured by the United State Armory at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia from 1816-1844.
Detail of the Model 1816. Notice that this does not use a flint, but has a cap with is struck by the hammer to ignite the gunpowder.
Shown above is a Springfield Model 1873 Rifle manufactured by the United State Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts from 1873-1892. This gun is associated with the U.S. Cavalry and was used by Lt. Colonel George Custer’s troops at their defeat in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana.
Shown above is a Winchester Model 1885 manufactured by the Winchester Arms Company in New Haven, Connecticut from 1885-1918, The gun was designed by John Browning and the design was purchased by Winchester.
Detail of the Winchester Model 1885.
Shown above is a United States Rifle Caliber .30, Model 1917 manufactured by several companies from 1917-1918. This was the main U.S. rifle during World War I.
Detail of the Model 1917. Notice the bulge under the bolt: the magazine held five rounds which were pushed in from the top. (Note: I used to own one.)
Shown above is a Knickerbocker Hammerless No.6 manufactured by the Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich, Connecticut and the Stevens Arms land Tool Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts from 1904 to 1910. The Knickerbocker shotgun was the lowest priced, American-made hammerless double barrel of its day. It sold for $30 and was made for and sold by H&D Folsom of New York City, a wholesale sporting goods dealer.
Shown above is a Quackenbush Safety Cartridge Rifle manufactured by H.M. Quackenbush, Herkimer, New York from 1886-1922. This .22 caliber rifle was used in shooting galleries.
More museum exhibits
Museums 101: A Collection of Guns (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: A Collection of Cannons (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: A Collection of Military Artifacts (Photo Diary)
Veterans Memorial Museum: Military Weapons (Photo Diary)
Lewis Army Museum: Some big guns (photo diary)
Lewis Army Museum: Antiaircraft guns (photo diary)
Naval Destroyer Museum: Guns and torpedoes on the Turner Joy(photo diary)
Lake Chelan Historical Society: Homestead shop (photo diary)
Museums 101: Lure of the West (Photo Diary)
