Historic Weapons Requirements

Demonstrating the swivel gun on July Fourth.

NPS Photograph

Simply demonstrating the the use and firing of weapons does not meet the standard for quality interpretive programming. The spark is more important than the bang; when historic weapons are used properly, they augment the interpretive mission of the park, and do not replace or detract from it. When used effectively, historic weapons are an excellent hook to attract visitors and provoke further discussion of the past.

Carrying Historic Black Powder Weapons in the Park

Only those individuals or units that are signed up as volunteers at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site may carry historic black powder weapons in the park as part of their approved and scheduled volunteer activity, as outlined in their volunteer agreement form.

Before a weapon can be carried in the park it must pass an inspection by a certified NPS black powder safety officer. This must be done at the start of each day as you report for volunteer duty. This applies to firing as well as non-firing activities.

For more information, please email the park's Historic Weapons Program Coordinator. You may also read NPS Reference Manual 6: Policies Relating to Historic Weapons Demonstrations.

Acceptable Weapon Types

Only reproduction firearms may be used in firing demonstrations. The use of original firearms is prohibited. Reproduction small arms that will be allowed at the fort include:

• Military Flintlocks such as the 1795 and 1816 Muskets, 1803 Rifles, 1817 Rifles, and Hall Flintlock Carbines and Rifles would be appropriate for military impressions up through the Mexican-American War.

• Brown Bess Muskets were trade items by this time and would not be carried by military troops, either volunteers or regulars, however they can be used as representative of surplus military weapons available during the fur trade.
• Civilian Flintlocks such as Pennsylvania/Kentucky Rifles, Leman, Deringer, and other plains and trade rifles, shotguns, and Northwest Trade Guns are all appropriate to be carried.
• The Northwest Trade Gun is currently the go-to weapon for demonstrations at Bent's Old Fort since it was so widespread, used by Native Americans and Europeans alike, and because we know it was traded here.
• Civilian Percussion versions of weapons such as various plains and trade rifles and shotguns as listed above are appropriate depending on role and scenario.
• Civilian and Military Percussion pistols and revolvers appropriate to the role may be carried, however they will not be demonstrated.
• Military Percussion weapons such as Conversion Muskets, 1842 Muskets, and 1841, 1855, 1861, and 1864 US Rifle Muskets and are all appropriate to for later period programming. These are military weapons from the transition period from the end of the Fur Trade/Mexican War Period of the fort, through the 1850s and leading into the Stagecoach Period. They were carried by troops, as well as being common amongst civilians after being auctioned off by the Federal Government at the conclusion of the American Civil War.
• Military Percussion carbines such as the Halls, 1853 Sharps, 1859 Sharps, Smith, and Starr Carbines are all appropriate. The Halls was carried by dragoons in the 1830s and 40s, and the 1853 Sharps would have been carried by the troopers of the 1st US Cavalry that camped near the site of the abandoned Bent’s Old Fort during the campaign that led to the Battle of Solomon’s Fork in 1857, the first battle between US Troops and the Cheyenne. The other weapons listed are firmly in the Stagecoach Era of the fort, with use by both the military in the area during and after the American Civil War, and by civilians afterwards.

Prohibited weapons may not be carried in the park, and must be secured in the owner’s vehicle.

Weapon Safety and the Public

To ensure the safety of participants and visitors, the following is expected of each and every participant:

• All weapons will remain under physical control of its owner at all times or secured in a locked vehicle.
• Visitors are not allowed to handle or touch a loaded weapon.
• DO NOT HAND YOUR WEAPON TO VISITORS.
• Visitors may touch an unloaded weapon so long as the owner maintains physical control of it.
• Participants under the age of 16 may not handle weapons (firearms or edged weapons) or powder.
• NEVER point your weapon (firearm or edged weapon) at anyone at anytime.

Small Arms Inspections

All small arms used in firing demonstrations will be inspected by the NPS just prior to a firing demonstration, and immediately after to ensure the weapon is clear. This will be done by first securing the weapon with the pan open. Then the ram rod will be dropped into the barrell. The inspector will listen for the tell-tale "ping" and will look to see if the ram rod is sticking out too far from the muzzle, indicating the weapon is loaded.

Weapons that pass the first morning inspection will be “tagged” by the NPS. Weapons must meet the following standards to pass inspection.

1. The weapon must be clean, free of rust and fowling inside and out.
2. secured flashguard and hammer stall
3. no cracks or splits in the stock
4. furniture and barrel fit securely to stock
5. no missing stock pins or screws
6. lock works smoothly
7. half-cock position works properly
8. flint is secured by leather or lead
9. steel and spring are in good condition
10. barrel free from visible dents or cracks
11. no excessive rust or corrosion on the barrel, lock and touch hole

Weapons that fail inspection may not be fired or carried on the field.

Ammunition

Do not bring ammunition with you on site. The NPS will provide all ammuntion necessary for the event.

Firing Demonstration Safety

The National Park Service does not permit battle reenactments or elements of simulated combat in areas administered by the NPS. Such activities are inconsistent with the memorial qualities of the historic site. All firing demonstrations taking place on park property may only be done under the direct supervision of the NPS.

Edged Weapons

• Edged weapons may be drawn in a safe and prudent manner, out of reach of visitors.
• Visitors may not handle edged weapons.
• At no time may participants engage in simulated combat with edged weapons or simulated edged weapons.
• Unless otherwise specified, bayonets may not be fixed when loading and firing.

Alcohol Use

Any volunteer or staff member found or suspected of consuming alcohol before or during any weapons demonstration or during visitor hours will not be allowed to participate and will be asked to leave.

Non-participants, non-volunteers, and Historic Weapons

Persons not directly involved in a scheduled program or event or not a registered volunteer will not be allowed to act in living history events or programs. This includes any visitor dressed in what could be reasonably assumed as historic costume by other visitors.

For any program or event, all interpretive volunteers and other participants must have had training and/or experience deemed sufficient by the Program Manager for Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Experience, and a previously signed Volunteers in Parks agreement on file at the park prior to the day of a living history program.

Non-participants are entitled to all the privileges accorded to visitors but may not carry or possess historic weapons including firearms or knives, and are not allowed to interpret, conduct demonstrations, or otherwise interfere with visitor services or park interpretive programming.