In the recently published 2010 Standard Catalog of Firearms, published by Gun Digest Books, the City of LaPorte received recognition for its collection of antique guns and other weapons.

   Collected by William A. Jones during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the collection was displayed in his LaPorte home on Johnson Road overlooking Pine Lake (now Arbor Hill Inn). The guns were willed to the City of LaPorte at his death in 1921. Ever since, they have been housed at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum and are on permanent display.

   The book of 1,500 pages features a glossy color section in the middle of 16 pages devoted exclusively to photographs of the W.A. Jones collection. The guns depicted are drawn from the numerous examples of “pepperbox” pistols, named for their hefty multi-shot revolving barrels, reminiscent of a pepper grinder. They also appear on the glossy cover of the book, and have interesting captions describing them, written by editor Dan Shideler. All photographs were taken by local photographer Barry Happel.

   The book is available for $39.99 at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum. The gun collection may be viewed during regular museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave. in LaPorte.