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Ron Norman

Ron Norman is a lifetime collector. He is a past president and Honorary Life member of the Florida Gun Collectors Association; past president of the Sarasota County Historical Society, past member of the Tallahassee Board of Historical Preservation, and author of several articles on militaria and firearms. He is a regular contributor to Military Trader. 

Articles From This Author

Model 1895 kepi originally worn Infantry Private Bert M. Bartlett, a railroad worker from Devils Lake, North Dakota. The solid brass branch insignia with a screw-post fastener on the reverse replaced the Pattern 1872 branch insignia in 1896.
Militaria Collecting 101

Military Trader Favorite Finds: 2 Pieces of Spanish-American War Headwear

Oct 7, 2021
Wartime photo shows Parsons holding his helmet in front of his Escadrille plane.
Military History

My Little League coach was a WWI aviator

Apr 13, 2020
In 1906, Henry T. Allen, the Chief of the Philippine Constabulary, requested a rifle suitable for the short statue of his Constabulary troops. The first order was for 300 1899 Krag Carbines. These, along with about 4,600 more, were altered by shortening and refitting to accept bayonets.
Firearms and Ordnance

A Look at the Philippine Constabulary Rifle

Apr 16, 2020
Close up of the entire hilt showing the fancy trim of silver and mother of pearl of the “Bloody Kris.”
Militaria Collectibles

Favorite Find: The Bloody Kris

Jan 7, 2020
The only known photo of Dr. William C. Gilson was taken shortly before his death from yellow fever at the age of 45.
Militaria Collectibles

A look at the personal effects of Civil War  Dr. William C. Gilson, CSA

Jun 25, 2020
Full length photo of Capt. O H Newton in full uniform wearing the sword pictured in this article on a Philippine Constabulary leather belt. Newton, who stood 6’ 4”, must have seemed a giant among the Philippine natives.
Photographs and Ephemera

A Giant of a Soldier

Nov 12, 2019
1863 Discharge of Fredrick Albright with his GAR membership medal. If I hadn’t taken the time to follow up on leads, I would never have been able to reunite this discharge with the photo of my Grandfather Albright.
Photographs and Ephemera

Why do we collect?

Nov 12, 2019
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Knives / Swords / Bayonets

Favorite Finds: Civil War Sword

Nov 12, 2019
The Philippine Constabulary was a gendarmerie-type police force of the Philippines from 1901 to 1991. It was created by the American colonial government to replace the Spanish colonial Guardia Civil. Its purpose was to maintain peace, law, and order in the various provinces of the Philippine Islands. By the end of 1901, a total of 180 officers had been commissioned. The Constabulary assisted the United States military in combating the remaining irreconcilable revolutionaries following the capture of General Emilio Aguinaldo and his pledge of allegiance to the United States. This phase of the Philippine–American War ended in 1906 in Luzon, with the surrender and execution of one of its last remaining generals, Macario Sakay.
Firearms and Ordnance

Always Outnumbered, Never Outfought

Nov 12, 2019
When I was ten years old, I purchased a very rough Model 1836 Pistol. It had been found lying on the ground. One side of the stock was rotted. The pistol had been converted from flintlock to percussion.
Firearms and Ordnance

My Favorite 'Re-Find'

Nov 12, 2019
When future U.S. President William Taft established the Philippine Constabulary in 1901, he set forth an organization that would be regarded as an elite prestigious organization to maintain law and order in the Philippine Islands. From its onset, the Constabulary members wore a variety of unique uniforms and accouterments, some of which are visible in this photo of Owen A. Tomlinson and members of the 4th Mountain (Ifugao) Company, Philippine Constabulary. Owen A. Tomlinson papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
Accouterments

Maintaining Order: Belts of the Philippines Constabulary

Nov 12, 2019
Found in a Texas antique store (that looked more like a gift shop!), this Canadian valor group — including the Distinguished Conduct Medal — had been awarded to a Texan in the Canadian Armoured Corps. It was only after researching the group that I discovered the incredible story behind it.
Medals

Favorite Find : Antique Store 'Valor Group'

May 11, 2020
This 1901 Colt military revolver, was destined to end up in my collection...I just had to figure out why!
Firearms and Ordnance

The Gun That Found Me

Dec 7, 2020

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