Millville Means Business Profile

With its vast display of military history items, Smith & Jackson Military Antiques and Firearms is not like most gun shops. “It’s as much a museum as a store,” says Michele Jackson, who co-owns the shop with Barry Smith. They buy and sell new and used guns, ammunition, and militaria from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War, but focus on items from World War II, especially war souvenirs brought back by American soldiers.

Barry explains, “In January 2014, we visited the Glasstown Brewing Company at the former Millville Army Air Field, America’s First Defense Airport, and then decided this was the perfect location for our business.”

Among their most treasured items, is the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) uniform of Philadelphian William Henry Jackaway, who fought at Gettysburg. In 1941, at the age of 102, he challenged Hitler to a fight, saying he would fight him “any time, any place, any style.” They also own the uniform of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, which they acquired from Jim Lidke of Vineland, a Marine who participated in Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama.

Barry and his father, Edward “Mickey” Smith, a Navy veteran and retired mailman, began collecting World War II memorabilia in the 1970s. They attended militaria shows together and built their collection for more than four decades. Mickey enjoyed working at Smith & Jackson until he passed away in March 2020. “Everyone liked my Dad. I used to tell people he had the most important job on his ship, the USS Macon, a heavy cruiser. He was the cook!”

Smith & Jackson welcomes everyone and caters to both advanced and new collectors. “Michele gives the shop a woman’s touch, which makes for a comfortable atmosphere for all. Our motto is to be nice to everyone,” Barry says.