In the Museum’s Armory, see excellent examples of historic weaponry, dating from 1750 to the twentieth century, with uses that ranged from military to more personal applications such as hunting and dueling.
Besides nationally known makers, The Charleston Museum’s weaponry collection contains excellent examples from Charleston and South Carolina gunsmiths such as John Schirer, Peter Kraft, Francis Poyas, and John Happoldt.
Edged Weapons
In addition to military pieces, dress, diplomatic, and presentation swords are also on view, including the Museum’s oldest edged piece, an executioner’s (or “Headsman’s”) sword from seventeenth century Europe.
Long Arms
Many of the Armory’s muskets, rifles and shotguns represent remarkable changes in firearms technology. From flintlock to percussion cap and multibarreled pieces to repeaters, each has its own story to tell.
(From top to bottom) Target rifle: American, c. 1855; Springfield Model 1816 musket c. 1834; Cane (or “poacher’s”) gun with removable stock, c. 1827
Pistols
The Museum Armory’s collection of pistols, like its long arms, presents a diverse range of military and sporting pieces, from “horseman’s” pieces and revolvers to more personal derringers and even duelers.
In the Museum’s Armory, see excellent examples of historic weaponry, dating from 1750 to the twentieth century, with uses that ranged from military to more personal applications such as hunting and dueling.
In the Historic Textiles Gallery, the Museum features regularly rotating exhibits from its rich historic textiles and clothing collection, one of the finest in the southeastern United States.
In The Charleston Museum: The Early Days gallery, see exotic collections from around the world, representative of the Museum’s nineteenth century cosmopolitan collecting focus.
In the Lowcountry History Hall, see materials relating to the Native Americans who first inhabited the Lowcountry and the African American and European settlers who transformed the region into an agricultural empire.
In the Natural History gallery you will see an extraordinary array of birds, reptiles and mammals that have called the South Carolina Lowcountry home since prehistory, including contributions from noted naturalists.
The Charleston Museum is pleased to present Kidstory, a fun and exciting, hands-on exhibit for children, where the fascinating history of Charleston and the Lowcountry comes alive.
In the Loeblein Gallery of Charleston Silver discover the impressive work of the South’s finest craftsmen and women, from the colonial era through the Victorian Age.
(From top to bottom) Target rifle: American, c. 1855; Springfield Model 1816 musket c. 1834; Cane (or “poacher’s”) gun with removable stock, c. 1827
