An internal view of the Hall of Steel showing the mass display of arms and armour

Hall of Steel

Hall of Steel

The Hall of Steel is the architectural centrepiece of the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds. The elegant steel and glass tower can be seen from every floor, from where it offers views of Leeds, Clarence Dock and the Aire/Calder navigation canal.

Displays

The displays around and inside the stairwell consist of mainly 17th century armour and 19th century military equipment. There are over 2,500 objects and they represent the largest mass display of arms and armour since the 19th century.

At the base of the stair is an area filled with mortars and cannon around the walls.

No war, or battle’s sound
Was heard the world around;
The idle spear and shield
Were high uphung
John Milton

Scary Horned Helmet

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Firearms of the American Civil War Seminar

Martin Pegler, former senior curator of firearms at the Royal Armouries, looks at the development of small-arms in the United States during the first part of the 19th century.

11 October

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Did you know?

High impact bricks

Because of the weight and speed of the bullet fired from a Colt .45 auto its impact would be equivalent to being hit by a brick travelling at 140 miles per hour.

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