European Firearms and Artillery
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of over 400 firearms which date from between the 15th and 20th centuries. This collection includes approximately 200 longarms such as rifles, carbines, and shotguns as well as around 200 pistols. These represent many different firing mechanisms including the matchlock, wheellock, and flintlock type as well as the later percussion lock. There are several examples of fine craftsmanship from centres of European production, including presentation and duelling pistols from many of the finest makers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. There are also many firearms made for military use, such as a rare collection of experimental firearms which include those of Alexander Henry (1818–94) of Edinburgh and London who created the barrel of the Martini-Henry rifle – the standard rifle of the British army until 1896. Artillery comes in the form of a bronze artillery piece called a 'falconet' made in Edinburgh in the reign of James V (1513–42), a pair of shipboard swivel guns and a larger carronade of the 18th century. This cannon was named after the Carron Iron works near Falkirk where they were cast. There are also several cannon locks and igniters as well as around 30 cannonballs.
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