When I was a kid, it seemed like everyone had a relative or knew someone that had “fought in the war”.         Groups of kids would share stories they had heard and the lucky ones might have a helmet,

mess kit or canteen that their dads had brought back. The small town where I grew up had a cannon

on the square (pictured above) and a tank in the park as memorials to our veterans. 

Those early events started a lifetime interest in artillery and tanks for me. 
I started my collection with a few cartridge cases and a dummy hand grenade.

By the time I was about 13 I had made my first “big purchase” a British PIAT Rocket Launcher. 
I still have those first items and have significantly added to my collection.  

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Housed in the Artillery Museum is my personal collection of Ordnance and Artillery

that I have spent years collecting. 
I am told it is one of the largest private collections in the United States.

My goal in sharing "The Olden Collection"  is to preserve history, understand the progression of technology

and honor our Military.  I hope you will plan a visit soon.