Some people collect stamps or coins, but one man from Oklahoma took collecting to a whole new level. John Monroe Davis spent decades gathering firearms, turning his passion into something truly remarkable.
Today, his collection sits in Claremore, waiting for visitors to explore thousands of pieces that tell stories spanning hundreds of years. What started as a simple hobby became the world’s largest privately held firearms collection, and it’s all housed in a museum that welcomes guests for free.
The displays stretch across an entire building, showcasing everything from Revolutionary War muskets to Wild West six-shooters. This isn’t just a bunch of old weapons sitting in cases; it’s a journey through American history, one trigger pull at a time.
The Man Behind the Collection
John Monroe Davis didn’t set out to create a world-famous museum. Born in 1888, he started collecting firearms as a young man working at the Mason Hotel in Claremore…