The approximately 1,400 objects in the collection of military artifacts have very different histories. Many come from the old collection of the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, but others were delivered by police stations in the GDR, and to this day, citizens still hand over bayonets, bullet casings or collections of shell splinters to the museum as souvenirs of the Second World War. In the context of historical exhibitions, these authentic testimonies illustrate the horror and death of warlike events and the deformation of civilisation and humanity.
The collection includes eight courtly wheel-lock rifles for hunting purposes from the second half of the 17th century, 16 percussion and needle-lock rifles, 18 historical pistols, including duelling pistols of exceptional craftsmanship, and 23 infantry rifles from the 19th century, which, according to historical records, were issued to the so-called Volkssturm (home guard) as late as April 1945.The museum has a large number of bladed weapons (sabres, swords, daggers) and more than 20 polearms (battlement weapons) from the 16th and 17th century. In addition, there are historical uniform pieces, Prussian tunics, military coats, cloaks and field blouses. However, the majority of the objects are equipment and accessories – from helmets, belt buckles and field bandages to riding boots, epaulettes and officer’s belts.
