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George Dryden Moller
George Moller, of Englewood, CO, became an ASAC
member in 1978, and was an active member, and
collector until his death. His first gun, acquired at age
14 was a trapdoor carbine (ser no 245395), and from that grew one of the finest collections ever assembled of U.S. martial longarms. He was a respected leader in the Arms collecting community, both in ASAC and serving as President of the Colorado Gun Collectors Association.
George was a superb researcher, meticulous in gathering facts
from primary sources, and when writing in distinguishing facts from
speculation. While some authors delve no further than the firearms themselves,
George included often overlooked information on the makers, purchasers, users, and
subsequent history. In addition, the appendices of his definitive three volume American
Military Shoulder Arms have a wealth of other information, such as arsenals, and the policies for funding, procurement and issue of arms for militia use.
George’s first book was Massachusetts Military Shoulder Arms, published in 1988, providing insights into many “secondary martial” arms purchased by that state as well as their use of federally provided arms. In 1993 collectors rejoiced at the arrival of Volume 1 of American Military Shoulder Arms, with 517 pages covering the Colonial and Revolutionary era. In 1994 the second volume was published, with 534 pages taking the history from the 1790s through the end of the flintlock era. Volume 3 appeared in 2012, adding 613 pages covering the period 1840-1865 ending the muzzle loading era and percussion and converted flintlock arms. At the time of his death, he had a significant amount of work done on Volume 4, and his manuscripts and notes have been transferred to the Cody Firearms Museum, where hopefully some researcher will be able to carry Moller’s work into the cartridge era. Some preliminary research had been done on a projected fifth and final volume.
George’s research was far beyond mere archival drudgery, and incorporated detailed examination of the arms, with careful, detailed measurements and photos of the physical details and design features and markings. This was possible because George had assembled a superb collection of U.S. martial shoulder arms as part of his research. His massive gun room was nearly equal to the finest arms museums in scope, quality, and organization. He graciously shared his collection with fellow collectors, individually and in group visits. George’s accomplishments are a legacy and inspiration for future generations of arms collectors, and his definitive books will likely never be surpassed.
U.S. Springfifield Model 1875 Trapdoor Offifficer's Riflfle
Historic Documented Special Order Engraved Offifficers Style U.S. Springfifield Model 1873 Trapdoor Riflfle Inscribed to William Passmore Carlin, Decorated Combat Veteran of the Civil War and Indian Wars, with Letters of Correspondence and Bayonet
LOT 3240
LOT 3217