The Hermitage Arsenal collection consists of over 15,000 items of Russian, Western European and Oriental arms and armour and gives a comprehensive idea of the development of arms and armour from the early Middle Ages to the early 20th century.
The collection was based on Nicholas I's private collection, which mainly consisted of pieces of great artistic value, experimental and historically valuable examples.
Russian items originate from the Moscow, Petersburg, Tula, Zlatoust, Sestroretsk and other Armoury workshops. Russian Armoury's craftsmen created the national Armoury school based on national traditions and a high level technique of the working of metals.
The collection of Western European arms and armour consists of works by numerous celebrated Armoury's craftsmen from Germany, Italy, France, Spain and other countries which produced armour, side-arms and fire-arms of high quality.
The collection of Oriental Arms and Armour contains items from Turkey, Iran, India and other countries where production of arms and armour of damask steel was done to perfection.
- European Arms and Armour
- European Cold Steel
- European Firearms
- Russian Arms
- Military Banners
- Banner Illustrations
- Military Prints
- Oriental Arms
