the finest firearms in the world

In 2006, the Army Museum acquired a unique collection of historic small arms from private collection of Mr. H. Visser (1923-2006). The 700 firearms and related objects from this collection, give a good idea of ​​the scope and meaning of the Dutch arms industry from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. Above are each craft products, icons of pre-industrial design.
It is the largest acquisition in the history of the Army Museum until now. With this collection, the museum is among the most important museums in the world in the field of antique firearms. The finest firearms of the world until 2010 can be seen in the exhibition.


Treasury for visitors
The exhibited collection consists Sun 700 different objects, such as pistols with ivory drawers, matchlock guns, miniature weapons and beautifully carved powder horns. A very special object is the torque flintlock pistols children that William III on his tenth birthday present received from his father in 1827.
Very striking are the exotic and precious materials that many objects are processed, such as ivory, ebony, silver and tortoise. Moreover, a large part beautifully crafted with elegant curls and performances. These weapons were mostly as a status symbol for the owner and were not designed to actually be used in battle. The objects are in a treasury surroundings exhibited.

Online consultation: a wealth of information
The exhibition and online are the approximately 700 weapons and related objects in a database searchable firearm. This includes detailed descriptions and pictures of the weapons.


Dutch weapons from the seventeenth century
Netherlands in the seventeenth century was one of the main centers for the manufacture of small arms, not only for their own use but also for export. The arms industry in this period was a very profitable industry. Many European monarchs had Dutch pistols and rifles of high quality.
The weapons are characterized both by their simple design and luxury performance and are often decorated with beautiful floral and animal performances and hunting scenes.
A specialty that is particularly developed in Maastricht, was the manufacture of pistols with ivory drawers, which the Army Museum at present the largest collection in the world possesses.

 
Purchase of the century
The Army Museum has joined with the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, previously part of the collection acquired, now the entire collection of 17th century firearms of Mr H. Fisherman in possession. The collection is thus added to the National Collection. The purchase was made possible by the support of the Mondriaan Foundation, the VSB Fund, the Rembrandt Association, the Dr.. Hendrik Muller National Fund and the M.A.O.C. Countess of Bylandt Foundation. It is the largest acquisition in the history of the Army Museum.

publication
The exhibition is a special publication, Bloedmooi, published containing beautiful pictures of the collection. See how you can order pubicatie.