MS 111 - Roy Marcot Firearms Advertisement Collection, 1839-1999 | McCracken Research Library

American firearm manufacturers began producing widespread advertising campaigns in the early 1800’s.  Many commercial arms and ammunition companies found they could greatly increase their profits by placing pictorial ads in newspapers, catalogs, and magazines. Increased technology, such as the rotary press and the use of flexography, helped to spread advertisements to previously untouched markets.

These advertisements often promoted firearms for specific demographics and functions.  Recurring themes included protection, sport, hunting, and military purposes. During the late 19^th century, firearm advertisements were largely focused on hunters.  At the onset of the Second World War, advertisements for military grade firearms were predominant.  At the conclusion of the war, firearm advertisements returned to sport and hunting themes. Material in this collection provides a wide range of advertisements targeted to individual demographics, as well as the average firearm consumer.

Roy Marcot currently living in Tucson, Arizona with wife Cary, was raised in North-Central New Jersey. He graduated from Pratt Institute in Humanities and was a U. S. Army officer with active duty in the California Army National Guard for almost a decade. He is the author of several books and has been the head of the Remington Research Team and editor of the Remington Society Journal since 1991.