Artillery Hall

Guns through the ages

This vast structure fitted between the two surviving Second World War magazines contains many imposing exhibits that are too large to be displayed in the Barracks. These exhibits constitute an exceptionally impressive sequence of artillery development from the earliest times to the later 20th century.

The chronological layout is divided into specific kinds of artillery. Naval guns, field artillery from smoothbore to quick firing, anti-aircraft, with examples of the infamous German ‘88’ and the dependable British 3.7 inch, anti-tank. There is also a rare German Gerlich ‘squeeze-bore’; recoilless; and self propelled guns, in the form of the British ‘Sexton’ 25 pounder.

There are pieces from the First Gulf War, including a captured GH-N 45, the long range gun-howitzer designed by Gerald Bull. But confronting the visitor on entry are the splendid Great Turkish Bombard and Bull’s Iraqi ‘Supergun’ tubes of 1000mm and 350mm calibre.

Notable objects located in this gallery

Scary Horned Helmet

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24 February

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Did you know?

USA opens Japan in 1853

Gifts included: 15 rifles, 3 muskets, 12 cavalry swords, 20 army pistols, 2 carbines, 2 telegraph instruments, a model steam locomotive and tender, 4 volumes of John James Audubon’s Birds of America and 1 barrel of whiskey for the Emperor and much more!

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