Bartlesville Library Military Arms DisplayBartlesville, Oklahoma, which is located 45 miles north of Tulsa and 20 miles south of the Kansas border on U.S. Highway 75, has a public library featuring a "History Room and Museum". The museum occupies a prominent place at the entry to the library and displays are rotated perodically to feature subjects of local historical interest. Native American artifacts and history play an important part in many of the displays. A permanent collection is held in storage and is placed on view along with artifacts that are loaned for exhibition with specific themes. A library that offers public displays such as this deserves commendation for "doing the right thing" as opposed to merely "playing it safe" with "politically correct" themes. |
Japanese Type 38 Arisaka
This is a prime example of a Japanese Type 38 rifle which appears to have an original sling and proper bayonet. A U.S. WWI type steel helmet which was used early in the war and a WWII Japanese helmet are on display along with a Japanese fragmentation grenade and an early WWII U.S. field telephone. |
U.S. Rifle Cal. 30 M1
A "U.S. Rifle Cal. 30 M1" having a leather sling is displayed with M 1911 A-1 .45 automatic pistol. An early “Walkie Talkie” as well as GI mess kit, “K” rations, “pineapple” fragmentation grenade, individual web gear and other personal items are also attractively presented. Though it cannot be seen in this illustration, period chewing gum, cigarettes and other ration components were in the collection. |
German 98k Mauser
The third and final exhibit is centered around a pristine German 98k rifle. U.S. and German steel helmets, a Nazi battle flag, as well as a German "potato masher" grenade, complete the display which also shows significant historical photographs from the European Theatre of Operations during World War II. |
