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“Would it be possible to substitute for the metal bead you have on the three front sights a small light pink ivory bead, in each case the color of the lightest pink billiard ball—that is, ivory stained so as just to have a pink tinge over the whiteness and still leave it light?” Theodore Roosevelt wrote this question to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in September 1906. Roosevelt was a man who cared deeply about guns.
In 2017, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West celebrated its centennial. Beginning with the original goal of examining the life and impact of William F. Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West has developed into a five museum complex in Cody, Wyoming. The Center is composed of the Plains Indian Museum, the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Draper Museum of Natural History, and the Cody Firearms Museum. The McCracken Research Library also contains rare books, historic photographs, and original manuscripts, including the archive of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
Materials in this collection include Theodore Roosevelt’s correspondence with the Winchester Company as he prepares the guns and ammunition that will be used on his 1909 African safari with his son Kermit. A Winchester advertisement with an endorsement from Roosevelt is also included. The collection documents firearm history and Roosevelt’s passion for hunting.
See below to view items from this collection.
George Kruck Cherrie does not remember that any 12 gauge shells were supplied to Theodore Roosevelt on the Brazil expedition and he does not think that Roosevelt used a shotgun on the trip. Leo E. Miller and Cherrie used shotguns, but they used 16 gauge guns.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1928-02-04
Kermit Roosevelt has tried to answer the Winchester Repeating Arms Company’s question about the ammunition used on the Brazil expedition. Kermit checked with Anthony Fiala, but Fiala remembers only purchasing the rifle ammunition and that Theodore Roosevelt took care of the shotgun ammunition. Fiala will try to verify this information. Kermit suggests that the Winchester Company could also check with Frank Chapman or George Cherrie.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1927-12-28
R. F. Riggs can use a quote from Ted Roosevelt where he praises the .375 Hoffman and ammunition made by the Western Cartridge Company.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1926-05-25
Theodore Roosevelt would like a .22 rifle with a peep sight and 1000 cartridges charged to his account. Scribner’s Magazine has published an article about Roosevelt’s successful hunting with the .405 in Africa.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1909-05-12
An inventory of materials received from Colonel Stanhope E. Blunt to be taken by Theodore Roosevelt to Africa including guns, sights, and firearms related tools.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1909-03-19
Frank Harper instructs the Winchester Repeating Arms Company that the goods they are sending for Theodore Roosevelt should be packed in a tin-lined case and delivered with the other goods. (Roosevelt had just left the presidency and was preparing for his upcoming African safari.)
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1909-03-16
Theodore Roosevelt notifies the Winchester Repeating Arms Company that he has requested that General William Crozier send the rifles with the silencers as soon as possible. He also mentions that if the representative of the company needs a pass to get on board the ship to deliver the guns and ammunition this letter will serve as such.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1909-03-12
President Roosevelt thinks the weapons are beautiful, but the .405s might shoot too high. He also requests more ammunition.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-12-05
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company will have the guns fitted with a temporary stock, so that President Roosevelt will have time to test the firearms. The actual gun pads were special ordered from abroad.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-09
The Winchester Company is sending President Roosevelt the three new guns and the two samples that Roosevelt sent. 100 cartridges are also being shipped. The Company suggests that Roosevelt return the guns to them for repacking to Mombasa. They will pack them in tin-lined cases with excelsior.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-11-25
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company does not understand how President Roosevelt’s issues with the .405 caliber Model ’95 rifle could have occurred. The gun is used “very generally and practically without complaint.” An order form is attached.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-11-17
President Roosevelt would like to know when the rifles will be available for him to try. He wants to practice before it gets cold.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-11-13
President Roosevelt approves of putting a leather patch on the back of the rubber pads and of making the Winchester stock just a quarter of an inch shorter.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-18
I. L. Lippencott responds to President Roosevelt’s issues with the guns. By measurement, the Winchester is the same length as the government rifle. However, the Winchester under lever requires a longer reach than the government rifle. They will also open up the sights on the Winchester.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-17
President Roosevelt would like to try the guns as soon as possible. He is going on a hunting trip where there will be a comparison between American repeaters and English rifles.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-15
William Loeb sends $127.57 for the cartridges shipped to Mombasa. President Roosevelt wants to be notified as soon as the Winchester Company hears that the cartridges have arrived.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt is returning the two rifles. The stock of the Winchester is a little longer than the stock of the government rifle. The sights of the Winchester also “do not seem as distinct as those of the Springfield.”
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-14
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company has received the special 1 1/2 inch pads. They will fit them to the stocks and will make sure the gun is exactly like the government gun “in every respect.”
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-29
President Roosevelt’s concerns about gun sights and cleaning material for the guns will be addressed.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-25
President Roosevelt is confused about the rifle stocks. He sent the 45-70 as an example of the stock he does not like and the stocks of the rifles they sent are like the 45-70. The stock when fitted must be exactly like the government rifle.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-24