This is normally the season for generosity, giving and selflessness. However, it can also be a time where greed and desperation pops up, hopefully in small numbers. In Bedford, Pennsylvania, the Old Bedford Village historical site suffered from a burglary where six original historic rifles were stolen from the Gunsmith’s Shop.

In an effort to recover the firearms, several members of the staff have taken a collection and offered a reward for information leading to the return of of the historic artifacts. As a show of support, I will be contributing to the fund as well.

Old Bedford VIllage’s Facebook post:

On Wednesday, December 14, the Gunsmith Shop at Old Bedford Village was broken into. Sadly, all 6 of our original Bedford County Longrifles were taken from the building. Several members of our staff are willing to contribute to a reward for information leading to an arrest. If you or anyone you know has information that could help locate these suspects, please contact the PA State Police in Bedford at (814) 652-6131. Please share this post to get the word out to as many people as we can!

If you would like to contribute to the reward fund, please e-mail us at village15522@gmail.com or call us at 814-623-1156.

It is our sincere hope that these wonderful antiques and pieces of our Bedford County heritage will once again be in our possession.

And if this information happens to find the person who committed this act, we implore you to do the right thing. Please either contact us to return the rifles or the state police to turn yourself in.

Rifles Stolen from Old Bedford Village:

Bedford, PA:

I’m working with Old Bedford Village to get a better description on what appears to be one flintlock and five percussion muzzleloading rifles.

If you live in the area, I am asking you to visit your local dealer and pass the word. Otherwise, consider donating to the reward fund and sharing the above information on social media platforms. Let’s help get these historic rifles back home.