Jefferson Barracks Ordnance Museum, St. Louis, MO

[sksvlad]

A small but lively "bullets only" museum, about 15min drive from downtown St. Louis. Call before your visit, don't just show up thinking that it is open.

 

[M8owner]

That is a nice collection. Thank you for the photos. Must be a government run operation. Do you have a photo showing the whole TOW missile? I see one shot of a nose with a probe.

 

[apfsds]

Incredible photos, VLAD! Made my day.

I have been friends with, Mike for 28 years + and seeing these photos is just awesome. I have so many emails from him with photos of his collecting adventures gathering all of these incredible specimens over the years. He had off the charts fabrication and restoration skills also, and so many of these specimens did not look near as good as when he originally got them. He also, fabricated a lot of the displays and restored from near junk the transport dollies used for the torpedoes and bombs. The building itself was completely run down and in near condemnable condition before, Mike took the entire roof off, rebuilding almost everything, all while maintaining its historical importance.

Jason

 

[HAZORD]

I like the "bullets only" layout. He has some nice stuff.

 

[sksvlad]

This is a private collection. I'll see if a photo of TOW can be gotten.

 

[pzgr40]

That's a really great and absolutely beautiful collection, I especially like all the cutaway models. Thanks for taking all the pictures and taking the time posting them here Vlad.

 

[sksvlad]

That "TOW" is actually a "Dragon" by memory. Do you still want more photos of it? I can get it.

 

[M8owner]

I am not aware of a Dragon with a nose probe, so I do believe it is a TOW, and good TOW photos are hard to find. Please do get more pictures if you can.

 

[sksvlad]

OK, shall post after work.

I got these photos from Dave (museum director) while at SLICS on the show floor, away from the museum. So it may be the wrong item. If so, you need to contact Dave, I am a thousand miles away from him now.

 

[ordnance]

Steve, They don't have the whole TOW, only the warhead and standoff probe.

 

[US-Subs]

Not actually a private collection, it is a registered non-profit and acquired many of the items through Govt donations. Unfortunately over the past few years Mike's health has seriously deteriorated. I was told during SLICS that he will never make it back to the museum, I have been told since that his health has now gone down significantly further.

The future of the museum is in question, speaking with one board member there are many issues, several which may not be possible to overcome. If you have interest I suggest that you visit sooner rather than later.

 

[US-Subs]

There was a Dragon version developed with a nose probe, but I don't know if it was ever fielded or not. It was one of those attempts to extend the life of the program that was too little, too late. The TOW variant didn't last long either, rapidly replaced by the TOW-2B carrying two EFP "look down - shoot down" charges.

Here is a picture of my TOW practice to give you a better view of the airframe. The item behind it is not complete/correct, made of a couple range pick up pieces slapped together.

 

[US-Subs]

I'm sorry to say that I have just been informed that Mike Brueckmann, founder of the wonderful Jefferson Barracks Ordnance Museum, passed away last night. He will be missed.

 

[frijoles108]

I considered him a friend who I talked to frequently years back when I lived in St. Louis. He will be greatly missed, thanks for letting us know.