The Galleries
- Robert E. Petersen Collection
- Ancient Firearms
- The Road to American Liberty
- Seeds of Greatness
- The Prospering New Republic
- A Nation Asunder
- The American West
- Innovation, Oddities and Competition
- Theodore Roosevelt, Elegant Arms
- World War I and Firearms Innovation
- WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Beyond
- For the Fun of It
- Firearms Traditions for Today
- William B. Ruger Special Exhibits
- Freedom's Doorway
Bennett & Haviland Many Chambered Revolving Rifle
An early repeating rifle designed by Epenetus A. Bennett and Frederick P. Haviland, this prototype percussion underhammer "Many-Chambered Gun" received U.S. Patent No. 603 on February 15, 1838. Each of the twelve rectangular brass chambers were loaded with powder and ball and capped individually. As each shot was fired, a fresh chamber could be brought into line with the breech by rotating the knob on the underside of the receiver. Fewer than ten examples were produced.