Historical weapons

The collection of historical weapons is one of the most important collections of its kind in Europe in terms of its diversity, quality and size. The many different weapon types it includes range from military to hunting and courtly weapons. The military and courtly weapons date mainly from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century. The collection of hunting weapons, of exceptionally high quality and also extremely numerous, covers a period of time ranging from the sixteenth to the second half of the twentieth century.

Courtly weapons

Courtly weapons are shown in the “Hofstube”. They were not used in military conflicts. As exclusive sporting goods that were used in tournaments.

Ross- und Mannsharnisch, um 1505 bzw. 1550

Halber Harnisch, Augsburg, um 1570, Teil einer ehemals großen, Herzog Johann Wilhelm von Weimar zugeschriebenen Garnitur, hergestellt von Anton Pfeffenhauser, Augsburg

Rennhut, Augsburg, 1494, König Maximilian (1459–1519, Kaiser 1508) zugeschrieben

Teile eines Doppelküriss, Innsbruck, 1537, 1537 von König Ferdinand I. (1503–1564) (Kaiser 1558) bei seinem Hofplattner Jörg Seusenhofer, Innsbruck bestellt und 1538 von diesem geliefert

Rapier, Solingen, Deutschland, 1. Viertel 17. Jahrhundert

Armoury

The exhibition of weapons and armour has an essentially military character. Most exhibits date from the 16th or 17th century.

This chamber shows, in a way reminiscent of the historical armoury, assorted objects such as commoners’ armour, morions, daggers, matchlock guns, swivel guns and weapons for laying siege and defending fortifications, such as battlement grenades, pitch-wreath or limepots.

Luntenmuskete mit Zubehör, Suhl, 2. Hälfte 16., 1. Hälfte 17. Jahrhundert

Harnisch des Hofzwerges von Herzog Johann Casimir, Ende 16. Jh.

Laternenschild, Italien, 16. Jahrhundert

Hunting weapons

This room houses an exclusive selection from the huge stock of rifles and other hunting weapons owned by the Coburg art collection, which is of great European importance.

The chronological range is from the late 16th century to the present and the geographical range from Russia to Spain and from Sweden to Italy.

The exhibits are of top quality and were produced by manufacturers of national and international reputation.

Radschlossgewehr von Johann Pichler, München, 1595/96

Torture tools

Punitive devices from the 16th to 18th century such as shame masks, thumbscrews, handcuffs or executioner’s axes communicate an idea of the jurisdiction of that period.

Punishment was mainly an act of retaliation, rehabilitation not having been intended.Physical punishment was clearly given preference over imprisonment.

The small but representative collection is explained and supplemented by graphical illustrations, giving it a vivid character.

Schandmaske, Neustadt b. Coburg, Deutschland, 16.–17. Jahrhundert

Warntafel/ Vogelfrei-Erklärung, Coburg, 1731

Richtschwert, Neustadt b. Coburg, Anfang 18. Jahrhundert

Turkish booty

In the former dining room of the Ducal Palace, visitors can view items from the Turkish booty, the Turkish spoils of war of Prince Friedrich Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1737-1815). This war booty was taken by the prince, then in the service of Austria, as the commanding general in the Battle of Rymnik on September 22, 1789, against the Turks. The booty consists mainly of weapons of all kinds, but also of various pieces of equipment such as riding tack, a tent and apparatus.

Osmanisches Silberzaumzeug im ägyptischen Stil, Nordafrika oder arabische Halbinsel, Teil der „Türkenbeute“ von Prinz Friedrich Josias 1791–1793

Lederner Reitermantel aus den Türkenkriegen, lederner Dekor Ende 18. Jh.

Büchse, Türkei/Osmanisches Reich, 18. Jahrhundert

Artillery exhibition „Ready to fire“

A new museum exhibit is displayed in the covered battery area with more than ten mounted weapons of different sizes and eras. Among them is the mighty Saxon half-kartouwe from the early 18th century with a barrel weight of 61 hundredweight (cwt). Around 140 exhibits including mortars, grenade weapons, sights, loading and ignition accessories and special ammunition complete the exhibition. Media stations featuring video clips provide a multi-sensory experience for visitors interested in the history of powder-charged artillery. A large-scale movie and experimental arrangements that allow visitors to touch makes the artillery experience and exhibition complete.

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Barrierefrei

Der Zugang zur Artillerieausstellung auf der Gedeckten Batterie erfolgt mit dem Ticket der Kunstsammlungen über ein Drehkreuz. Die Ausstellung ist für Rollstuhlfahrer zugänglich.