Pendleton Gun Show Showcases Historic Weapons Collection

Local collector Anthony Bowman displays over 250 firearms dating back to 1840 to honor American history.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:00am

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The annual Pendleton Gun Show featured a display of around 250 historic firearms from local collector Anthony Bowman, ranging from 1840 to modern times. Bowman, who owns over 3,000 weapons, curated the display to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, focusing on weapons used by U.S. troops in various conflicts. Attendees, including young visitors, were able to view and learn about the unique designs and histories of the firearms on display.

Why it matters

The Pendleton Gun Show's historic weapons display provides an opportunity for the community to engage with and appreciate American military history. By showcasing these rare and unique firearms, the exhibit aims to preserve the sacrifices and stories of the U.S. soldiers who used them, regardless of one's political views on firearms.

The details

Bowman, a local weapons collector, presented about 250 firearms dating back to 1840 at the Pendleton Gun Show. He usually displays a wider variety of weapons, but this year he "concentrated on the conflicts that we participated in" to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The collection includes weapons used by U.S. troops as well as those collected by American soldiers and brought back to the country. Bowman takes great care to ensure the safety and security of the firearms, checking each one before the show and locking them up properly afterwards.

  • The Pendleton Gun Show took place on March 14 and 15, 2026.
  • Bowman's historic weapons display is a regular feature at the annual Pendleton Gun Show.

The players

Anthony Bowman

A local weapons collector who owns over 3,000 firearms and curates a display of around 250 historic weapons for the annual Pendleton Gun Show.

Eula Austin

A 7-year-old attendee who held a grenade from the Korean War on display, finding it both interesting and scary.

Andy Austin

Eula's father, who attended the gun show with his daughters to see the collections and support the community.

Kalab Mallory

A 16-year-old gun history enthusiast who enjoyed identifying the unique designs of the older firearms in Bowman's display.

Darren Stahl

An attendee who was drawn to Bowman's display for the opportunity to examine the mechanics and craftsmanship of the historic firearms.

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What they’re saying

“No matter what your politics are, when you are willing to give your life for your beliefs or defend those, that means a lot, and I'm preserving them and their sacrifice to this country.”

— Anthony Bowman, Weapons Collector

“It's a lot of great people coming together. The girls enjoy it. They enjoy the history.”

— Andy Austin, Father of Attendees

“It makes you think about the history these weapons have had. A lot of these have such unique designs.”

— Kalab Mallory, 16-year-old Gun History Enthusiast

“Firearms from this period, they're not like the modern stuff you see now. A lot of thought and effort and craftsmanship went into these firearms.”

— Darren Stahl, Attendee

What’s next

The Pendleton Gun Show is an annual event, so Bowman's historic weapons display is expected to be a featured attraction again next year.

The takeaway

The Pendleton Gun Show's historic weapons exhibit provides a unique opportunity for the community to engage with and appreciate American military history, honoring the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers through the preservation of these rare and unique firearms.