Tinker, the enamel looked a bit "different" to my eye, but I like plain old rose and scroll the best anyway. It was certainly well done and unique even if the colors were a bit harsh. I wonder if age has changed them?

Hendrik, thanks for posting that link. I'll have to go back and look over the ones I missed. There were many, many displays focused on the development for guns from an ~1350AD handheld cannon through modern military arms. I also really liked the display of movie guns, some Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart, and more recent films. A few of Teddy Roosevelt's too.

I too thought about what a shame it was that these guns were out of action, but am very glad someone is making an effort to preserve a bit of the art before it get lost to history. I don't think printed words alone can convey the skill that went into these guns for future generations, though I do agree with John that if would be far far nicer if we could handle them!

Bob