Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History

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Lock, Stock & Barrel

The History of Weapons on the Plains

Lock, Stock and Barrel

Experience the weapons that shaped the Great Plains. Lock, Stock & Barrel, with over 500 firearms, tells the story of weapons and their importance to the Plains. The exhibit features the Cheyenne arrow that pinned the Martin Brothers together in an attack during the Raids of 1864 and the ammunition manufactured at the Navy Ammunition Depot in Hastings.

Did you know?

The term "sharpshooter" was used as early as the Civil War. Hiram Berdan issued "Sharpe's Rifles" to an infantry regiment who were hand selected for their marksmanship. They were called "Sharpe's Shooters" and later the "e's" on Sharpe's was dropped and it became a universal term to define good marksmen. You can see one of the "Sharpe's Rifles" along with over 500 other firearms on display in the lower level.

Location: Lower Level