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SMALL ARMS EDUCATION MUSEUM


 

When completed the museum will consist of 3 themes: 

1)    The story of Operation "Georgette" and the battle that was fought on the Kemmelberg in April 1918, which is where the museum is situated, along with local history of the region during the First World War.  This region saw much military activity especially relating to the build up to the battle of Messines in 1917.

2)    Firearms and light weapons.

3)    Objects relating to the First and Second World Wars – many of which are excavated locally.

 

 

 

Operation Georgette

 

The museum will contain a large display of information, photos and maps of the Kemmelberg and the 1918 German offensives, specifically operation “Georgette”.  Below is the link for further information:

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Firearms

The history of firearms is a fascinating subject.  It is my intention, through the museum, to create a better understanding and appreciation of these pieces of history.  I want to show old firearms, which are now in retirement, as interesting antiques with emphasis on their social history as much as their technical influence and development.  

The purpose of this museum is to focus on the collecting and historical side providing insight into not only the firearms themselves but also the people that used them.  

Some of the exhibits from the collection...

 

 


.455 Webley Fosbery automatic revolver


Previously owned by William (Billy) La Touche Congreve Brevet-Major VC, DSO MC
and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur

The Rifle Brigade

        

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.450 Webley RIC


Previously owned by Aubrey Gordon de Appleby Moore

 

        

Aubrey Gordon de Appleby Moore

 

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Thornton Pickard Camera Mark III Hythe

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.30 Bore Calisher and Terry Carbine

Calisher & Terry carbine issued to Constable Morgan Loughnane in 1862 of the NSW police and used in the hunt for the Bushrangers Hall, Gilbert, Gardiner & Dunn.

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.303 SMLE No1 Mk1

A rare unmodified SMLE No1 Mk1 regimentally marked to the Australian Light Horse.

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.303 Lee-Enfield Carbine bought by the UVF

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7.63 Mauser C96 Small Ring

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.455 S&W MkII Hand Ejector


Previously owned by Captain Kenneth William Junor MC.  Canadian Royal Flying Corps ace

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.455/.476 Webley Government Army model

Previously owned by 2nd Lieutenant Charles Frederick Heatly
16th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers attached to the 38th Division Sniping Company

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A pair of .36 London Navy Colts
for the Canadian militia

A pair of London 1851 Navy Colts from the batch of 800 that were shipped to Montreal Canada in 1856. Five hundred and fifty six were issued to the Upper Canada (Ontario) and 255 to Lower Canada (Quebec) Militia. The militia was the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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Two .455 Colt 1878 revolvers

Purchased for the relief column to save Gordon of Khartoum


 

From the records that have survived the two .455 Colt 1878 revolvers displayed below were purchased from Colt’s agency at 14 Pall Mall, London in 1884 almost certainly for use with the relief column.


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Objects relating to the First and Second World Wars