“Cold steel and firearms” Collection hall

The exhibition gives a unique chance for visual contact with rare samples of weapons from the private collections of Prince Alexander I, Prince (since 1908 Tsar) Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Prince Simeon of Tarnovo.

The weapons collection of the National Museum of Military History comprises over 44 000 exponents. This is the richest weapons collection in Bulgaria, Enriched, through the decades that had passes, thanks to the patriotism of the common Bulgarian citizens, to the foresight and feeling of historicity of the General Staff and Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria.

The collection is material symbol of the Bulgarian military spirit, forever preserved in the museum. There are preserved for generations to come unique samples of cold steel and firearms, masterpieces of the art of gunsmiths of the period since 15th c. up to 20th c. The ensemble of chronologically displayed exponents presents a section of weapons’ development as a part of cultural heritage of human civilization from the Bulgarian Revival up to the present day.

Firearms , since the invention of gunpowder to the coming to life of the “unitary” ammunitions and onwards, are presented in the display by unique samples of arms with matchlock and flintlock ignition. There are also presented pin fire systems “Lefaucheux” and the arising and adopting of “central fire” ammunitions, which function like the modern weapons. The most interesting systems and types of firearms could be seen in this collection hall only.

The exhibition gives a unique chance for visual contact with rare samples of weapons from the private collections of Prince Alexander I, Prince (since 1908 Tsar) Ferdinand I, Tsar Boris III, Prince Simeon of Tarnovo.

Pistol "Luger" , a gift to Boris III on the occasion of his 18th birthday	Combined revolver , system "Le Foshet"
Pistol "Bereta" , belonged to Simeon II	Flint pistol - XIX c.