HALL 3. EUROPEAN AND ORIENTAL CEREMONIAL ARMS AND ARMOUR OF THE 15TH - 19TH CENTURIES

The Armoury collection of European arms and armour incorporates pieces of the field and tournament armour, sidearms and firearms made by West European craftsmen in the 15th-19th centuries. It traces main stages in the history of the development of various types of military equipment in Europe through several centuries. The exposition also contains excellent examples of arms by Eastern makers from Persia and Turkey — the leading armour production centres of the East. Shields, daggers, sabres, helmets, chain armours are decorated with gold, silver and jewels. 

Many arms and armour exhibited were brought to Russia in the 16th and 17th centuries as diplomatic gifts.