Trapdoor Rifles

Rock Island had a few photos of the late George Moller's gun room in their video posted to promote their auction of his collection. He had probably 200 linear feet of these racks as shown in the photos. Note that they are sort of "built on stilts" but this really makes it more convenient than racks at floor level, no stooping to pick things up, the actions are pretty much at eye level to see/enjoy what the item is. The butts are slanted about 30-40 degrees, so you can really see both the top and the right side of the gun without taking it out. The upper bracket has a round hole, not just a semi-circle or slot. This require lifting the gun when removing and inserting the muzzle through the hole when putting it back in the rack. But, it should guarantee that nothing will accidentally fall out if someone bumps it, or in event of an earthquake.

Each rifle slot has a small peg just to the right of the hole in the upper bracket on which you can hang the bayonet. George marked the bayonets with identification using magic marker on the steel- easy to remove way to keep them matched up with proper gun.

Here is another photo with different guns, but better view of rack details (also from RIA site)

Beyond impressive. And think of the time spent stamping G D M on the stock toe of every arm. Some are showing up again for sale after the first auction.

WOW!! Wish I had the room for racks like those.
Thanks for sharing!

Very impressive . . . .
With the l-o-n-g barrels of the firearms . . . .plus the high “stilts” of the racks . . . .it must require a special room with an extra high ceiling, that most homes would not have!

I found the RIA video on YouTube. Search "George Moller collection". Sadly it doesn't show a great deal more of interest (to TD collectors) than the stills above. What a collection! And all 'minty'! Kinda humbles one into perspective - I've been fortunate enough to host more than my fair share of guns (mostly TDs and Krags) over the years, including a few great rarities, but compared to that array, I feel like the poor guy who has one rusty M1884 from a garage sale! His elevated racks (the RIA video is a little confusing) were a great idea.

To make us even more humble and awestruck, remember that there were a LOT of racks, and a small office/conversation area with a Gatling gun and swords, and ...

I’ll bet he didn’t own an 1868 made 1868.

Fred Gaarde wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 5:48 pm I’ll bet he didn’t own an 1868 made 1868.

One? - I wouldn't bet against it, though his name never came up in my "researching". Five? No way - you are, and always will be, the 68/68 KING!!! You finally sold them all, didn't you? No way I'm parting with mine.

NORE MINE!!! Now that I have one

Dick Hosmer wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 6:32 pm

Fred Gaarde wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 5:48 pm I’ll bet he didn’t own an 1868 made 1868.

One? - I wouldn't bet against it, though his name never came up in my "researching". Five? No way - you are, and always will be, the 68/68 KING!!! You finally sold them all, didn't you? No way I'm parting with mine.

Speaking of lists Dick, were you able to add my initials to your list?