Issue 83 - June 2008 - Page 17

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Charlton Heston Gun Collection Photographs

Summary:
Email claims that attached photographs show an extensive gun collection that belonged to the late actor, Charlton Heston (Full commentary below).

Status:
Genuine photographs - description is inaccurate

Example:(Submitted, June 2008)

Subject: The late Charleton Heston's Basement

Look what the late Charlton Hesston had in his basement.......

Wow, what a collection!
No wonder he was the leader of the US. National Rifle Association.

Stern Cun Collection 1

Even with lots of money you have to leave your toys behind.

Commentary:
According to this message, which circulates via email and has also been posted to a number of firearms related forums and blogs, the attached photographs show a massive gun collection stored in the basement of a house owned by the late actor Charlton Heston.

Although the photographs themselves are genuine, many commentators have pointed out that the gun collection actually belonged to the late Bruce Stern, rather than Charlton Heston. Mr Stern was a lifelong military and gun collector. An attorney and Vietnam veteran, he was involved in a number of military and firearms related organizations. He was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) Board of Directors. Mr Stern passed away in July, 2007.

The Stern gun collection became famous among firearms enthusiasts. A portion of the extensive collection was auctioned off in March 2008 by James D. Julia Auctioneers. The auction, which included firearms from other collections as well as Stern's, raised a record-breaking $12.7 million. Photographs of items from the Stern collection are available on the Julia Auctions website. Another part of the Stern collection is set to be auctioned in October, 2008.

Although the gun collection featured in the photographs did not belong to Charlton Heston, the late actor was a passionate gun rights supporter and served as president and spokesman of the NRA from 1998 until 2003. He died in April 2008.

Misidentification of ownership aside, these photographs certainly reveal a truly remarkable collection.

References:
The late great Charleton Heston's Basement
Bruce Stern's Collection - largest grossing firearms auction EVER held in the world
Julia Firearms Auction Takes Record $12.7 million
Second Half of Bruce Stern Military Collection

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