15 Massive Gun Collections That Preserve Firearms History

Firearms have played a significant role in shaping history, from major conflicts to the development of modern law enforcement and military systems. Over time, collectors and institutions have worked to preserve these weapons, creating extensive collections that offer a closer look at how firearms have evolved across different eras.

Across the United States, some of the largest gun collections are housed in museums, private archives, and specialized institutions. These collections often include thousands of firearms, ranging from early designs to weapons tied to well-known historical figures and events. Many are open to the public, such as those found in established museums, while others remain privately maintained.

In this slideshow, we highlight 15 of the most notable gun collections ever assembled, focusing on their size, historical significance, and the unique pieces they contain. Together, they provide insight into the role firearms have played over time and how these collections help preserve that history for future generations.

• Location: Claremore, Oklahoma
• Number of Firearms: Over 12,000

The number one entry on this list of the biggest gun collections is the incredible J.M Davis Collection. It's owned by John Monroe Davis. He started collecting as a young boy when he refused to take his medicine, and so his father bribed him with a small shotgun so he'd drink it. The rest is history. This collection has guns of all types in cases hanging on the walls and out on display. There are also non-firearm artifacts, including beer steins and Old West saddles. Altogether, there are 12,000 guns, making it possibly the world's largest.

• Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
• Number of Firearms: 11,000

Easily one of the biggest gun collections ever, the Springfield Armory Museum is very impressive, which makes sense since it started way back in 1777. This collection has many different collections of firearms in a variety of models and styles. There are muskets, rifles, and prototypes of guns that never became a reality. There are also guns here that you won't find anywhere else, including an Erskine Allin's M1873 Trapdoor, the Springfield Model 1816, M60 machine gun, and more. You can also check out a large selection of weapons used by both the Allied and Axis forces.

• Location: Cody, Wyoming
• Number of Firearms: 7,000

The Cody Firearms Museum has had many reiterations over the years, but it still remains the place to see just about any firearm you can imagine. There are many historical weapons here, including the personal collection owned by inventor Eli Whitney, Jr., as well as the firearms of past presidents, including Vice President Dick Cheney and President's Regan and Roosevelt. You can also see firearms that go back to the legacy of Buffalo Bill. There are also air guns and miniature firearms. The guns are all nicely laid out and categorized by factory collection, historical period, and more.

• Location:Washington, DC
• Number of Firearms: About 7,000

For one of the largest and most prestigious gun collections in the country, head to the Smithsonian in Washington. This is a repository of some of the oldest firearms in the country. While the collection officially has close to 7,000 guns, if you go there, you'll find that most of them are packed away, and only about 150 are on display. Still, it's an incredible collection of guns and gun-related memorabilia, including small arms and ammunition of all types. There are also many engraved firearms that were owned by famous faces, including one presented by Joseph Stalin.

• Location:Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Number of Firearms: 3,500

This museum isn't dedicated exclusively to firearms, but it does have close to 3,500 on display as part of the 4.5 billion total items within its walls. There are many guns from around the world, including some from Japan, India, and more. You can also see nineteenth-century muskets, guns that prospectors in the Great Basin used for protection, and Henry and Colt rifles. There's also educational materials that can educate you on the development of guns between 1650-1940. The set also has many guns from World War I and so much more.

• Location:Rock Island, Illinois
• Number of Firearms: 1,790

If you want to learn everything you could ever know about guns, stop by this collection in Illinois, which has 1,202 of the almost 1,800 firearms on display. This museum is located on an active army base and it is overseen by the U.S. Army. The 1,200 guns on display are encased in glass cabinets, and files are available for each gun so you can learn all about them. Many of the guns were used throughout history by Cheyenne and Sioux warriors. They also have the Flapper Rifle prototype that was invented by John Moses Browning.

• Location:Lion, NY
• Number of Firearms: 2,000

This is one of the biggest gun collections and it's hosted by one of the most famous gun manufacturers: the Remington Arms Company. Although there are 2,000 guns, only about 250 can be seen, but it's a great display and overall collection. The museum is separated into different categories, such as revolvers, shotguns, pocket pistols, percussion, rolling-block rifles, and more. In addition to all the different types of guns, they also have both the one millionth and the 10 millionth gun ever manufactured. You can't see the gun collection online. Instead, you must go in person.

• Location:Houston, Texas
• Number of Firearms: Around 10,000

You'll be able to see about 3,500 of the 10,000 guns on display at what is technically a gun store that sells new and used firearms. This place has it all, starting with guns dating back to the year 1500, as well as many modern options. You'll find just about everything here, including cowboy action revolvers, classic European semi-automatics, cartridge handguns, and more. Even if you don't buy anything in this shop, you can hang out and speak with the owners about all things firearms, and it can be a lot of fun.

• Location: Ogden, Utah
• Number of Firearms: 423

This museum is part of the larger Union Station Museum that's in Ogden, Utah. This big collection has many prototypes of John Browning's classic firearm designs, most of which were not put into production. Besides that, there are many rifles, shot guns, pistols, gas operated guns, and more. There are many weapons that you won't find everywhere else, like the Winchester 30/30 and various lever action rifles.

• Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
• Number of Firearms: 650+

Phil Phillips, who was the nephew of Frank Phillips, the founder of the Phillips Petroleum Company, helped to create this great collection of many different Colt revolvers. Some of the weapons in this large collection include very historial pieces, such as several ​​Colt Pattersons that are from as early as the 1830s. There's also a pretty sizable collection of Winchesters and miscellaneous other notable firearms to check out during your visit.

• Location: Lexington, Virginia
• Number of Firearms: 800

If you're looking for something new, check out the Henry M. Steward collection at the Virginia Military Institute. They have guns from some of the most noteworthy and historical moments in world history, including the Walther PPK that was ordered by Hitler and the first first experimental AR-15. This is also the place where you can find only one of the three known Artemis Wheeler revolvers, the Browning Harmonica rifle, and Dean & Adams revolvers. It's a great collection worth visiting at least once.

• Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Number of Firearms: 104

Though it's not one of the biggest gun collections, this selection at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is still quite impressive. The 104 guns have been specially chosen out of many others to show the evolution of firearms. Among their selections, they have Colt-Paterson revolvers from the 1830s, Smith & Wesson, Parkers, and more. To make the display even more exciting, many of the firearms on display from the 1800s are shown in dioramas that depict them with trappers, soldiers, cowboys, and hunters.

• Location: Titusville, Florida
• Number of Firearms: 1,000

Another one of the biggest gun collections is the massive display found at the Institute for Military Technology. This collection was started by C. Reed Knight Jr., who was the President of a firearm manufacturing company and decided to turn it into this institute. Come here, and you can see four hundred production and experimental rifles on display, plus crew machine guns, field cannons, and more. You can also see other incredible military displays, including restored tanks, artillery and military vehicles, and other weapons and tools that are being restored.

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Number of Firearms: 100+

This gallery is one of the biggest gun collections that consists mostly of Colt revolvers. This gallery originally opened in 2011 with the idea of showing the public about the major impact that the Colt revolver had on the contemporary West and the American frontier. There are several great pieces on display, including the Colt revolver that was owned by Theodore Roosevelt, the exact gun that Doc Holliday used at the O.K. Corral, and the rifle that Billy the Kid once held.

• Location: Fairfax, Virginia
• Number of Firearms:Over 3,000

Our final entry on the list of the biggest gun collections is the National Firearms Museum. There are many contemporary guns to see. However, many people go for the historical artifacts. There are firearms that were owned by Dwight Eisenhower, Annie Oakley, and more. This museum also has what many believe is the oldest gun in history: a cannon that was built in 1350. You can visit this museum and learn a lot about the Old West. Want to learn more about that time? Check out this gallery of pictures that show what life was like in the Wild West.