In 2006, the Legermuseum acquired a unique collection of historical hand-held firearms from the private collection of Mr H. Visser (1923-2006). The collection of 700 firearms and related objects gives a good idea of the scope and significance of the Dutch arms industry between the 17th and 19th centuries. And above all, each item is a traditionally crafted product, an icon of pre-industrial design.
It is, until now, the single biggest purchase in the history of the Legermuseum, and with this collection the museum can consider itself one of the most important in the world in the field of antique firearms. The worlds most beautiful firearms can be admired in the exhibition The most beautiful firearms of the world until 2010.
Treasury for visitors
The collection on display consists of 700 different objects, such as pistols with ivory stocks, muskets, miniature weapons and beautifully carved powder horns. One of the most exceptional pieces is the pair of childrens flint pistols that King William III received from his father as a gift for his tenth birthday in 1827.
What is most striking are the exotic and expensive materials embellishing many of these objects, such as ivory, ebony, silver and tortoiseshell. Moreover, a great many of the pieces are fashioned with decorative curls and images. Most of these weapons served as status symbols for their owners and were not actually made to be used in battle. The pieces are displayed in a treasury-like environment.
Online
All weapons and other attributes can be seen on our website.
Dutch weapons from the 17th century
In the 17th century, the Netherlands was one of the most important centres for the manufacture of hand-held firearms; not only for personal use but also for export. The arms industry in this period was an extremely profitable line of business and many of Europes sovereigns found considered Dutch pistols to be the highest quality.
The weapons are characterised by both the simplicity of their design and their luxurious finishes, and were often decorated with beautiful depictions of flowers, animals and hunting scenes.
A specialism that developed mainly in Maastricht was the manufacture of pistols with ivory stocks, of which the Legermuseum currently has the largest collection in the world.
Acquisition of the Century
Together with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which had already acquired part of the collection, the Legermuseum has now purchased the entire collection of 17th century firearms from Mr H. Visser. The collection has thereby been added to the Rijkscollectie. The purchase was partly made possible through the support of the Mondriaan Stichting, the VSB Fund, the Rembrandt Society, the Dr Hendrik Mullers Vaderlandsch Fund and the M.A.O.C. Gravin van Bylandt Stichting. It is the single biggest purchase in the history of the Legermuseum.
Publication
A special publication containing wonderful photographs of the collection is also available at the exhibition. This exclusive book will be available in the Legermuseum shop from June 2007.
