The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-06-10
leY PErER sTERLINc.l

Perhaps there are not many people
in this community who know that the
rarest and most extensive collection
of antique and unusual shot guns,
rifles, carbines, and revolyers in the
state of Colorado and possibly in the
west, is located in Canon City. But
that is the true fact.
DR.. c. Herman Graves is the own
er of this remarkable exhibit which
consists upwards OF ffty or more
guns of various periods and different
manufacture. The handicraft OF the
great gunsmiths of the different ages
are represented by some of their most
widely known patterns.
The history of the evolution of the
gunsmith's industry can be easily
traced through this splendid collec-
tion. The graduating stages of i'm
provements and the growth and de-
velopment of inventive genius can be
easily seen. Followed closely DR..
Graves excellent descriptive and in
structive talk as he takes one from
gun to gun which are racked in the
several cases, one can grasp easily
and quickly a good idea of the handi-
caps under which our forefathers
hunted and fought in their day Of the
muzzle loader and the PERCUSSION cap
and ball.
In the light OF the present high pow
er rifles, the repeating shot guns, and
the numerous types OF automatics.
the weapons in DR.. Graves cases are
but pigmies. Yet there are some that
are unexcelled for accuracy and for
beauty Of design. All they lack is
the convenience and speed OF loading
which the guns Of today possess.
For instance, one Of the rifles which
the Doctor prizes most highly is the
target gun with which volpius. the
noted marksman. won the champion
ship In target shooting at 600 yards
during the Worlds Fair At Philadel-
phia in 1876 This gun. 1t appeared to
the writer when he attempted to raise
it to his shoulder, is as heavy as the
AZ centimeter. more or less 1t Is .
muzzle loader and possesses the Gus
tomary false muzzle and the little
brass cap and bullet injector which
guns of this pattern had in those
days. This target rife was construct
ed by volpius. himself. and displays
his master workmanship to q remark
able degree.
Another rifle In the assortment lis
OF Swiss design and was used by Tog-
genberger in 1868 when he Fon the
200 yard on hand target champion
ship at Philadelphia 1t Il . much
lighter gun than the one voIpius used
A number Of guns Of more or less
design and workmanship tell . gra-
phic tale OF the rivalry In gun making
between II. l.. Rood and Cove, both
expert gunsmiths Of Denver in the
early days. Shotguns and rifles make
up this series and include q combi-
nation rife and shotgun and the pecu-
liar "over and under" shotgun which
is an older brother of the double bar
relied shotgun Of today. but Of course
possesses the muzzle loading feature
It is a singular fact that most Of
the famous Kentucky fiint-lock and
crooked stock rifles were made In and
about Philadelphia They gained their
reputation because Of their use In
Kentucky by Daniel Boone and other
famous hunters and trappers. OF the
early days. DR.. Graves possesses sew
eral of them and one In particular Is
the exact pattern that was used SO con
stantly and effectively by Daniel
Boone himself. 1t is long slim flint
lock with the peculiarly curved and
partly crooked stock. James and
Josh Golcher were well known and
reliable makers OF this type OF gun
as also was DeMuth.
One OF the interesting pieces OF