The Glenbow Museum > Collections & Research > Museum Collections > Military & Mounted Police

There are over 2100 firearms in Glenbow Museum's collection from the earliest types used in the sixteenth century to the present day. All ignition types are represented, including wheel locks, flintlocks, percussion, pinfire, and centrefire. There is also a fine collection of small arms equipment that includes powder horns, powder flasks, cartridges, and reloading tools.

Wheel lock Rifle stock, Germany, early 17th century
Wheel lock Pistol, ca. 1580
Priming Flask, ca. 1600

Double-Barrelled Percussion Shotgun
Isaac Hollis & Sons, London, England
ca. 1885

This shotgun was used by the Metis forces at the battle of Batoche during the North-West Rebellion in 1885. The collection includes a large number of flintlock and percussion muzzle-loading weapons such as this. Originally used as a fowling piece, this shotgun is also part of a large component of the Firearms collection related to hunting.

Percussion Rifle
William P. Marston, Toronto
ca. 1851-1882

Canada has had a small but active firearms industry ever since the 19th century. William P. Marston was one of the most industrious makers but there were many others. Glenbow Museum has examples from a large number of these. Examples of early Canadian firearms are rare so this is an important part of the Firearms collection.

Maxim Machine Gun
Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Berlin
1917

The 20th century firearms collection includes a wide range of examples from the First World War (like this Maxim Gun) and the Second World War from a variety of countries. Russia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, England, Canada and the United States are all represented. There is a good automatic weapons collection, including two Gatling guns.

Mauser Rifle
Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Berlin
1893

This rifle was used by the Boers in the Boer War. The largest portion of the Firearms collection was issued for military purposes. The majority of that component is the long arms (or shoulder arms) collection - primarily muskets and rifles. These include Mannlichers, Chassepot rifles, Springfield muskets, Spencer repeating rifles, Ross rifles, Lee-Enfield rifles, Arisaka rifles and more.

Wheel lock Arquebus, Pistols, Flask, and Spanner
Guard of the Elector of Saxony
ca. 1589

Glenbow Museum has a large number of finely crafted wheel lock and flintlock firearms such as these. Many were designed for the nobility. There are over 1100 pistols in the collection ranging from the 16th century (like the ones seen here) up to the 20th century including well-known makes like the Luger but also some unique pieces.