Waffenmuseum Suhl
Friedrich-König-Straße 19
D-98527 Suhl
Phone: 011 49 3681 72 06 98
Fax: 011 49 3681 72 13 08

Please be aware that the museum is closed on Mondays!
Naturally, I had again problems finding the museum. I followed the signs, found a parking spot where I expected it to be and started to look for a building which looked like a museum. I could not see anything which caught my attention.
Frustrated, I asked a woman which crossed my way. With a strange look in her face she told me that I was almost standing in front of it. I felt stupid again.

When I purchased my ticket I asked whether I can take pictures. As usual this was not a problem after I paid a small fee for this privilege.
Unfortunately, many of my pictures did not turn out to be good. I did not have any lighting equipment with me and the glares produced by the glass which protected the expensive collectables caused glares. For that reason I had to "borrow" certain pictures from brochures which I purchased in the little gift shop before I left. I hope nobody complains about that but I do not want to use poor images in my web site.
The museum is dedicated to hand guns and its history in which Suhl played a very important part.
The oldest gun shown dates back to the 14 th century.
The museum also gives you a good impression how hand guns were manufactured.

At the beginning gun makers did everything required to create such a weapon.
Suhl still has specialists who take orders from individuals, but work sharing is today common. Specialized craftsmen will do certain parts of those valuable guns.
My father inherited some hand made hunting guns. They had inlays made out of pure gold. All of them were confiscated after WWII as dangerous goods by the US troops. I hope that they are in good hands today.
Some of the famous names of gun makers from Suhl are: Merkel, Haenel, Sauer, Simson, Meffert, Heym, Krieghoff and Schilling.
Nevertheless this specialized industry faced tough competition. Learn more about this during a visit of the museum.

Besides many information about gun making, the special temporary presentations are another attraction of the museum.
For example for a limited time you could learn many details about the famous Russian Kalaschnikow. If you are interested in weapons, don't miss a visit of this unique museum in Suhl.

I never have seen so many hand guns in one place.
Certainly a paradise for collectors and people interested in the history of guns.