Following is a representative sampling of firearms advertisements in American history. There are hundreds more that can be uploaded, (all the way into the 1920’s), but these should do presently.
The purpose of this page is to let people see for themselves that American media all across the nation used to regularly allow firearm advertisements in their publications. That the media outlets actually used to care about We The People being encouraged to exercise our constitutionally secured right. Which is far different from what we see today. Why would we support media that doesn’t actually care about us? That only cares about money, and furthering their political agendas? As well as actively urges for our right to be infringed upon?
A Parcel of good Muskets, all well fitted with Bayonets, Belts and Cartouch-Boxes, and Buff Slings to cast over the Shoulder, very useful to such as have Occasion to ride with their Arms; To be sold by B. Franklin.
[Pennsylvania Gazette, March 8, 1748.]
Respectfully inform the public . . . They will keep on hand, or make at short notice, Pistols, cut and smooth bor’d Rifles, and Fowling Pieces, of the first rate.
The subscriber has just received and wilt sell for ready pay, at the old stand, Rifles, Horse-pistols, Muskets and Bayonets, Pocket-pistols, Powder-flasks, Hunting-guns.
[The Middlebury People’s Press, Wm. Bowers Ad, Aug. 31, 1841.]
Pistols at from $16 to $28 each, in a case with equipments. Great impositions are practiced upon the public in representing and selling the self-cocking and revolving six-barrel Pistol for Colt’s Repeating Pistol”/500 Double Barrel Guns, various prices . . . 2500 pairs of Pistols.
[New-York Daily Tribune, John Ehlers/A.W. Spies & Co. Ads, May 1, 1845.]
Rifle, Gun And Pistol Manufacturers . . . Every description of Patent Fire Arms repaired with accuracy.
Fire-Arms Of Every Description. S.B. has on hand Rifles, Guns, Pistols, &c. &c. of his own manufacture and imported, which he offers for sale at reasonable prices.
[Indiana State Sentinel, Samuel Beck Ad, Jan. 9, 1849.]
All men who need a gun, Rifle or Yagar or even a brace of good Pistols, will please take notice.
Guns. Single and double, English and American . . . also a variety of Rifles. Pistols. English and German pocket, belt and holster; Colt’s and Allen & Thurber’s Revolvers.
The subscriber has on hand and for sale, a general assortment of fine and common double and single barrel shot guns, rifles and yaugers; Colt’s Revolvers, pocket pistols, powder flasks, &c., at very low prices for cash.
[Democratic Banner, J.Y. Johnson Ad, April 14, 1851.]
Importers of . . . Fine Guns, Rifles, Pistols And Revolvers.
Guns, Rifles, Pistols . . . A constant supply of COLT’S PISTOLS, of all sizes.
[New-York Daily Tribune, Francis Tomes & Sons Ad, April 7, 1852.]
Self-Protection . . . has just received, per steamer from Roanoke, a fine assortment of Colt’s and Allen’s Pistols, single self-cocking Pocket and Rifle Barrel Pistols.
Respectfully informs his Old Customers, and the public generally . . . he has and will constantly keep on hand not only a good, but BETTER assortment of Rifles, Fowling pieces and Pistols.
[The Jackson Standard, Jackson Rifle Factory Ad, March 31, 1853.]
Pennsylvania avenue, between 9th and 10th streets . . . Washington, D.C. Goods As Low, wholesale or retail, as in any city in the Union . . . Guns, Rifles, Pistols, Ammunition of all kinds . . .
[Daily Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Hardware Store Ad, July 14, 1853.]
Pistols! Pistols!! Pistols!!! I have constantly on hand a splendid assortment of–Colt’s and Allen’s Five and Six barrel Revolvers Allen’s Self-cocking Pistols Rifle, Saloon, Double and Single barrel, and Pocket Pistols in great variety.
To render his services valuable to a deserving public, he will not only make Guns, Pistols and Rifles to order, but will stock, alter into percussion, and repair all kind of fire arms neatly, quickly and substantially.
