Plot Synopsis

Veteran journalist Geoff Edgers travels across the United States, searching for American historical artifacts in archives, storerooms and private collections that are rarely seen. Visiting museums and personal collections, Edgers holds history in the palms of his hands and learns the powerful, emotional and compelling stories behind each relic, examining everything from a secret letter that connected an underground spying ring during the Revolutionary War to the double barrel shotgun used by infamous stagecoach robber Black Bart. In each one-hour episode of SECRETS OF THE ARSENAL, Edgers searches for four different artifacts, including: a rifle used in a classic shoot-out between a veteran lawman and a cross-eyed bandit; a trophy pistol stolen from a German U-Boat and hidden for more than 75 years; a double barrel shot gun owned by America's most prolific stagecoach bandit, Black Bart; a revolutionary tactic by "father of American artillery" Samuel Ringgold that changed the course of the Mexican-American War; a hastily written note spells out Custer's final moments; a submarine that dared to take down a train; a battle-worn flag waved in ruthless betrayal; and many more artifacts.