My collection

[debnal]

My wife and I built our dream home and I got a gunroom! I got tired of keeping my collection in a safe and decided to put them on the wall. Every morning I sit down with a cup of coffee and visit with my "Friends." I have been very myopic in my collecting. I only collect identified Revolutionary War items. The first picture is of three fowlers, and a John Hancock signed Congressional commission/archive. The top fowler was carried by a man who marched on Lexington/Concord. The second picture is four muskets, the second one carried by a soldier at Lexington/Concord. The third picture is my powder horns, pistol and swords. Two of the horns may have been at Lexington/Concord. The second sword down may have been there also. They are identified to men who marched on the alarm. Additionally, the bottom sword belonged to Captain Stephen Decatur, father of Stephen Decatur of War of 1812 fame. The fourth picture is a Hudson Vally fowler and Hudson Vally flintlock pistol.
Al

[Stoner creek]

Good on you!! These things are nothing more than dust collectors unless we share them with others. There are a lot of folks who own some very impressive collections that are safely tucked away in a safe or closet and never see the light of day.
W

[debnal]

Thanks for your comments. I used to be paranoid about displaying them but have taken reasonable steps to mitigate the problem. I built my house on 80 acres with my son. We have a 1/4 mile driveway. We have state of the art home security and cameras. I have 8 pistols and rifles/shotguns locked and loaded throughout the house. I have an Anatolian Sheepdog (140+ pounds) for a watchdog. Lastly, I have great gun insurance, Plus, I live in arguably the most gun friendly state (OK). Good place for a Rev War collection!
Al

[Avlrc]

Beautiful.  Thanks for sharing.

[Carl Young]

As a dam yankee (born in MA thanks to the Army draft, lived most of my life in Alabama), I love your gunroom! I tend to collect stuff that could have been owned by my ancestors (English, 1619; French, 1700, both sides from Williamsburg). Having had numerous ancestors who fought in the Revolution I admire your collection.

Well done!
Carl

[A Scanlan]

Nice rainbow too.

[WESTbury]

Appreciate you sharing your collection with us!

Which British ship do you have?

I think it is great to have Decatur's father's sword. Did you read The Six Frigates? The book is about the birth of the U.S. Navy. The younger Decatur played a pivotal role.

[Fullstock longrifle]

Nice collection Al

[debnal]

Decatur's sword is very interesting. It came directly from the family with an affidavit. It was in a major auction along with other items form him. I was outbid on his pair of his flint pistols but got the sword. I spent 24 years in the U S Navy, so it was very special for me. He was a major player in the Rev War and his son in the War of 1812. In those days father's passed down items to their sons so this sword may have actually belonged to the son. So it may have been at the USS Philadelphia incident during the Barbary Wars. it is the only item in my collection that is not directly identified on the piece. But the family association was strong.
Al

[debnal]

Westbury,
I have two British ships. The one in the picture is the HMS Bellona (1790-1830) by Charles Miller. I have another, Isabella (17th century), an antique model of an English yacht.
Al

[jdm]

Al, CONGRATULATIONS !  That is no easy feat. Owner identified items from the Rev war are rare. I'm sure it took alot of time and effort to put these together. I see you still have the New England sword you got from me at that meeting we had in Joplin. Have you found out any more information on Mr. Poole ?
I'm lucky enough to have one  owner identified item from the war.  Looking at it sure gets the blood flowing. I can imagine the honor and joy you feel every morning . Thanks for sharing.   Jim

[debnal]

Jim,
I remember getting that sword from you that very well! I really love that sword.  Actually, Abjiah Pool marched and fought at Lexington/Concord! He was in Capt. Thomas Eaton's company and entered the battle at Concord. Documented in "Muster Rolls of the Participating Companies of American Militia and Minutemen in the Battle of April 19, 1775.". A rare book but very necessary for my collecting interests.
The collection represents 50 years of collecting. I started out these items were fairly inexpensive but have gotten pricey in recent years.
Al

[Eric Kettenburg]

Absolutely spectacular Al!  And what is the provenance of the two dogs?   

[JTR]

What a fine collection, and a great way to display it!
Thanks for sharing it!
John

[Majorjoel]

 Al, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your wonderous historical collection with us!!!

You've done a fine job putting together the rarest of the rare artifacts of the birth of our nation!

[homerifle]

Very Nice! Thanks for sharing with us.

[DaveM]

Thanks for sharing! Very nice!

[Clark Badgett]

Very Nice collection. We might be neighbors.

[debnal]

Clark,
I live just outside of Durant.
Regards,
Al

[Clark Badgett]

Clark,
I live just outside of Durant.
Regards,
Al

Well, we’re neighbors in the figurative sense. I’m in Verdigris.

[Bob Gerard]

You got cool stuff!

[Pro Libertate]

Pretty incredible! How neat to be able to surround yourself with the things that you love.

[Curtis]

Good for you!  It is awesome you now have a great space to display your collection.

Curtis