The collections of the Museum have gained firearms from the 18th and 19th century
40 pieces of old firearms were added to the collections of the Museum of Hunting and Horsemanship – Branch of the Royal Łazienki Museum. Most of them are hunting antiques, and several of them are sports firearms designed for a shooting target.
The oldest of the purchased exhibits, the arquebuse with a circular lock originates from the end of the 18th c., while the most recent, that is a breech loader needle hunting rifle with the Lefocheaux mechanism dates back to mid-19th century.
Most of the arms were created in gunsmith’s workshops in Western Europe, mainly in Germany and France, however there are also rifles from Spain, Austria or pistols from Italy.
The collection represents a variety of interesting design solutions typical of individual countries and the date of manufacture. It also features techniques, ornamental materials and iconographic designs used for decorating wooden butts and metal parts.
The exhibits which have enriched the Museum’s collections were acquired thanks to a subsidy from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The collection of firearms of the Museum of Hunting and Horsemanship is on display in the Cantonists’ Barracks at the "Polish Hunting Room of the 19th and 20th Century" permanent exhibition.
