J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum
The largest privately-held firearms collection in the world.
Home to the unique collection of J.M. Davis of over 12,000 firearms and thousands of non-firearm artifacts ranging from Old West saddles and spurs, John Rogers statuary, Toby mugs and Beer Steins, World War I posters, and local Claremore and Rogers county history.
Multi-media exhibits for a family-friendly walk through history.
An agency of the State of Oklahoma
Meet J.M. Davis
Since the age of seven, John Monroe Davis had been interested in and was an owner of firearms.
Young J.M. had been a very sickly child and thus had become rather spoiled. He refused to take the medicine the family doctor had prescribed. When his condition finally got so bad that the doctor feared the child’s survival without the medicine, J.M.’s parents had to do something.
His father bribed him to take the medicine with a gift of a small muzzleloading shotgun.
What his father did not know is that his bribe to keep his son alive would start the largest privately-held collection of firearms in the world.
J.M. Davis by Oklahoma Artist Charles Banks Wilson
Shirley Johnson
Shirley Evelyn Johnson of Claremore, Oklahoma, passed away from this life on Sunday, December 11, 2022. She was born near Idabel, Oklahoma on March 16, 1935.
Shirley was an employee of the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum for 30 years, having served as the Business Manager and then as the Executive Director prior to her retirement.
She leaves behind her husband Bill, daughter, Sherry Colbert, son, Brent Johnson, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. One daughter, Penny Barbee, preceded her in death.
#GreenMeansGo
There are so many great destinations and attractions to see and do in Green Country. Check some of them out, including the JM Davis Arms & Historical Museum.
Come to Claremore for the hometown spirit, stay for the wonderful entertainment and cultural treasures and leave with wonderful memories for your entire family to enjoy.