"God created man, but
the Colt made him equal" is the title on one exhibit case in
Frontier Montana Museum. This is the largest collection of handguns,
spurs, chaps and all the cowboy collectibles between Cody and
Calgary. Old Desert John's Saloon treats visitors to the most
complete whiskey memorabilia collection in the United States. Housed
in the Old Montana Prison Mule Barn, these exhibits shine in the
ambiance of end-grain wood block floors and real tin ceilings.
What can one say about a
museum that displays the items actually used by the American cowboy, rancher, frontiersman
and women during the opening and growth of the American West. The items
on display are the real items used during the period of 1829 to 1900, not
the props seen in the western movies.
There are over 300 handguns and
rifles on display. Some people look at guns as a weapon of destruction. In
actuality, the gun is an engineering marvel and in some cases a work of art.
During the 1829 to 1900 period, there were over 10,000 gun
dealers and manufacturers in the United States including the father of interchangeable
parts, Eli Whitney. When one thinks of guns, it brings to mind the
romantic famous or infamous individuals of the American West, i.e. Jessie James, Wyatt
Earp, Billy the Kid, and may others.
In addition, the museum displays
hats, a large spur collection, many varieties of chaps used on the frontier, horse bits, saddles,
- those items a cowboy took pride in owning, and in many cases, the only items
he owned.
What would the growth of the American West be without
representation of the Native American, the Plains Indians, The Sioux
- a French word for fierce warrior, the Cheyenne, and other tribes. There is a representative
collection of bead work, animal skin clothing, weapons and more of the Native Americans.
The items on display represent Don Cappa's lifetime collection.
So, come see us at the Frontier Montana Museum in Deer Lodge, Montana and relive the west as it
was!!