Hands-on history: students study historical firearms in unique workshop

Honey Reid (Business Admin, '29) fires a musket from the American Civil War with guidance from a volunteer.

What is it like to load a musket? How hard does an M1 Garand kick against your shoulder? Can you really keep a machine gun on target as shells fly?

History textbooks can't teach you these things, but hands-on experience in Professor David Walker's workshop, the History of Firearms and Tactics, can.

Students in the workshop meet twice a semester. First for a Saturday morning lecture to learn the theory behind firearms and their use in conflicts throughout history. Then, a week later, they meet at a local gun range for the workshop's experiential learning component. Students handle, load, aim and fire historical weapons under expert supervision. All for credit towards their Boise State degrees.

From the battlefield to the classroom

Joshua Johnson (Criminal Justice, '28) practices loading a 14th century hand cannon under careful supervision from a volunteer.

For Walker, the theoretical knowledge of tactics and battlefield history goes hand-in-hand with the practical knowledge of handling and firing these weapons.

"We discuss the change in technologies, but also how armies are using the weapons," Walker said. "My idea is that [students] will match the experience with thinking about the technology and the tactics that armies used to fight, and how they've altered over the centuries."

Walker has run the workshop since 2011. It started as a class for ROTC cadets but has since opened to all students. The arsenal has grown alongside the student body. The latest session in spring 2026 included a 14th century hand cannon, muskets through the early modern period to the American Civil War, and more modern weapons like World War II machine guns and Cold War assault rifles.

"I think it's important for historians - and people - to see how these military institutions functioned, because that can help you understand how they function today," Walker said. "We have discussions about what weapons should be bought [for military use], how we should adapt, and all the things that could and can go wrong."

An unforgettable experience

For students, the workshop is unlike anything else in their Boise State careers. "Being able to handle these firearms is an irreplaceable experience you can't get in the classroom," said Anja Pratt, a sophomore studying elementary education.

Shells fly as history graduate student Andrew Hillard (History MA, '27) fires this Thompson sub-machine gun used by Allied forces in World War II.

Cadet Liam Marchi is a junior majoring in leadership and public service and minoring in military science. "It's really cool to be able to get out and fire the weapons and see what the people who held them went through," he said. "This is a great opportunity if you haven't fired a gun before. You get a really wide range of different types of firearms."

Walker has built the class over 15 years, and it operates like a well-oiled machine with help from others. Under overall supervision from Walker, volunteers, including several from the Idaho Military Museum and the Fort Boise Garrison re-enacting group, demonstrate, teach and monitor the firing for safety. They also share insights about these historical weapons and their usage in the field. A National Rifle Association grant has helped fund the purchase of ammunition for the course.

The workshop runs once a semester and is open to students from any major. Interested students can find it listed under HIST 494 with Walker as the instructor of record.

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