The Army Museum has a large collection of weaponry, including artillery pieces, firearms and edged weapons.
Did you know that the Museum's artillery collection is the most complete in Europe? Some 800 pieces are conserved, from the oldest pieces, which are over 700 years old, to more modern pieces. They come in many different
Bombard, 15th century
This bombard is one of the oldest pieces in the collection. It is made of cast iron, and has several rings for moving it and also as a sight for aiming. It is one of the earliest pieces designed for the use of gunpowder.
Philippine Lantaka, 19th century
The museum's artillery collection also includes pieces from other countries and places, which have their own peculiarities. This is a lantaka from the Philippine Islands. Lantacas are small artillery pieces that are usually highly decorated with all kinds of elements, among which stand out fantastic animals such as winged snakes shaped as handles, or, like this one, where you can see small birds perched on the cannon’s mouth and on its base.
The museum has a collection of firearms consisting of more than 5,000 pieces, from the 15th century to the present day. It includes weapons for military use and also for civilian use, some of which have interesting stories and surprising decorations.
Here are some outstanding pieces:
The French flintlock pistol designed by Nicolas Noel Boutet (1761-1833), director of the Versailles arms factory during the reign of Louis XVI.
The double-barrelled blunderbuss pistol of General Antonio Caballero (mid 19th- century) made of wood, iron and gold and decorated with two bronze lizards on the two barrels..
The American Winchester sport shooting carbine rifle that belonged to president of the government Práxedes Mateo Sagasta.
