ANDERSON, SC - The Anderson County Museum will open the sixth installment of their two year rotating gun display on March 4th in the Museum gallery at 202 East Greenville Street in Anderson. The new component will highlight the Mexican War - years 1846–1848. Original guns from that period will be exhibited including an 1819 Hall flintlock rifle and 1848 Aston pistol.

The 1819 Hall flintlock rifle was the first standard issue breech-loading gun ever distributed to any army in the world. Some were still in use in the Mexican War. However, by 1843 the Hall was produced in the percussion version – and was issued to many of the troops. The 1848 Aston pistol was also a standard issue for the War, but some officers and recruits still used the older flintlock weapons, including the exhibited 1831 Simeon North pistol, the 1836 Robert Johnson pistol and the 1836 Waters musket. The Spanish Naval percussion pistol, made by the Bustindui arms factory in Spain, was one of several Spanish guns available to Mexican Army officers and will also be on display.

Museum hours are Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Upcoming events:

• March 10 - News conference to announce the Class of 2008 for the Hall of Fame, 2 p.m.
• April 5 - Ducks Afloat, fundraiser for March of Dimes, 2 to 4 p.m.
• May 3 - International Museum Month Celebration, 1 to 4 p.m.
• October 25 - 25th Anniversary of the Anderson County Museum, several events throughout the day