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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Special Operations Executive - A Celebration

As part of its month of remembrance, the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film ‘Carve her Name with Pride’.

22 November

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Did you know?

Paper bullets?

High quality drawing paper is often referred to as cartridge paper – before brass cartridges gunpowder and a ball were wrapped in paper of high quality for ease of loading the single shot muzzle loading guns.

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