The St. Louis Gunners were formed as an independent team, the team's name came from the fact that their headquarters were located at the St.

Louis National Guard Armory, and sponsored by the Missouri National Guard. The Gunners would play several exhibition games against NFL teams and often played well, winning a pair of games in 1933.

The Gunners looked to join the NFL and purchased the NFL's Cincinnati Reds for $20,000. However, their bid to join the NFL was rejected by the other league owners because St.

Louis was considered to be too remote from the rest of the clubs, all in the Northeast, and yearly trips there would have increased travel expenses.