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Arms Collection

Image: Machine Gun - Nordenfelt

Source: Museum Victoria

The Arms collection is one of the museum's oldest and most extensive collections. Comprising over 3600 items, it is the most important of its type in Australia, with sub-collections of international significance.

The collection can be interpreted from a number of perspectives: the technical development of firearms and munitions, military history, social and political history, and the aesthetics of decoration and craftsmanship.

It comprises a broad range of weapons and associated items, including pistols, muskets, rifles, machine guns, swords, knives, bayonets, artillery pieces and armour. The majority of the collection dates from the 18th to the 20th centuries, although there is a small number of earlier items.

Significant items

The Cole Collection of firearms represents the golden age of English gun manufacturing in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many items are of high aesthetic as well as technical value.
19th century military firearms, especially British Empire firearms, reflecting Victorian colonial life and colonial defences.
Weapons seized in British Empire wars in the 19th century, including the Canning Indian Mutiny Collection and the Pretyman collection of items seized in the Boer War.
A substantial and broad collection of Colt firearms, particularly handguns, from the 19th century.
Representative examples of firearms with particular Melbourne and Victorian provenance, including firearms sold by local distributors and retailers.
The 1907 model Savage automatic pistol serial no. 1, the private firearm of the director of Savage Arms, Colonel Benjamin Adriance.
Japanese armour and swords.

Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 50) 527 items

Illustration - Owen 9 mm. Sub-Machine Gun, 1942

Coloured instructional drawing of a sectioned Owen sub-machine gun with named parts. Design patented 22 July 1941. Published by Lysaghts Newcastle Works Pty Ltd, Port Kembla Branch.

Images: 1
Photograph - 3rd Field Ambulance and Indian Camp, Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, Wo ...

Alternative Name(s): Postcard Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers ...

Images: 1
Photograph - A Trench, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Australian Gully', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Alternative Name(s): Postcard Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers ...

Images: 2
Photograph - 'Big Game Hunting', Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 2
Photograph - 'Boots a Clean', Cairo, Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, circa 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Cairo by Night', Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Canal Bank', Private John Lord, World War I, circa 1916

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Dug Out', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Entrance to Mudros Harbor Lemnos Island', Greece, Private John Lord, World W ...

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Extreme Right of Anzac', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, ...

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 2
Photograph - Hell's Spit, Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 2
Photograph - 'Hospital Ship', Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Inscribed 'Hospital Ship', it probably shows the HMHS Devanha - the last hospital ship to leave the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) for Egypt in 1915. Atta ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'On the Way to the Pyramids', Giza, Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, ci ...

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'On top of White's Gully', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, ...

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Pontoon Bridge', Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, 1916

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Rest Gully', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - Rest Gully, Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Alternative Name(s): Postcard Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers ...

Images: 2
Photograph - Russel's Top, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - Shoreline View, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Snow Scene at Anzac', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 191 ...

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Sultan's Palace', Egypt, Private John Lord, circa 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Sunset in Egypt', Giza, Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, circa 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Taken from the Sphinx Anzac', Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'The Battle of the Wassa', Cairo, Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, circ ...

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Victoria Gully', Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print, depicting Victoria Gully in Gallipoli. It probably shows the location of the 3rd Field Dressing Station. Attached to a small notebook used as a pho ...

Images: 2
Photograph - View of Rooftops in Cairo, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - Wacker's Ridge, Gallipoli, Turkey, Private John Lord, World War I, 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Zoological Gardens', Giza, Egypt, Private John Lord, World War I, circa 1915

Black and white photographic print. Attached to a small notebook used as a photograph album, containing 55 black and white photographs of ANZAC soldiers in Egypt, Mudros and Gallipoli ...

Images: 1
Photographs - Horses Going to Roll, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - Servicemen Working, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Harpham Talking to Ken Henderson', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, ...

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Smoko,' Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Harrison & Affleck in a "Gharry"', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, ...

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Cottage Hospital', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Reg Plant & Self in Car', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Self at "Gyppo" Shop', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Men Learning to Rough It', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-191 ...

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Self & Horse', Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photographs - 'Rifle Practice', Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Horse Feed', Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Self in "Gyppo"', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Our Bell Tent', Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Horse Lines', Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'A. Morrison, L. Harpham, K. Henderson, N.Little', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar ...

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'Officers' Lines', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - Inside a Tent, Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - Sergeant Johnstone & Others, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-19 ...

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'G. Millar', Maadi, Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1
Photograph - 'C Squadron Lines', Egypt, Trooper G.S. Millar, World War I, 1914-1915

One of 49 photographs in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Troop (later Lieutenant) G.S. Millar depicting the Light Horse camp in Egypt, 1915, prior to Gallipoli. ...

Images: 1