United Kingdom
Big Ben in London, England.
The Arms and Armour Society
The Society was formed in 1950 by a small group of dedicated enthusiasts to further the study of arms and armour, from earliest times, by bringing together scholars, collectors, professional experts and all who share this common interest. It has now grown into one of the leading groups of those concerned in the study, collection and preservation of arms and armour.
A Journal, published twice yearly, is recognised worldwide as one of the most authoritative publications in this field and is the preferred medium for original research papers. A quarterly Newsletter keeps members in touch with the Society’s many activities and major events in the world of arms and armour.
Membership is open to all who share this interest and enables them to participate in monthly meetings held at The Tower of London, lectures, visits to places of arms and armour interest and to seek help and advice on their queries.
In addition the Society keeps a close eye on all matters affecting the collection and ownership of arms, particularly with regard to legislation, and makes appropriate representations on behalf of members, to safeguard their interests.
If you take pleasure in the collection or study of armour, swords, firearms and other arms, it will be greatly increased by membership of this Society, by bringing you into contact with others, including many of the world’s leading experts, who share your interest. Moreover, it will enable you to take an active part in furthering your knowledge and that of your fellow members and, by joining with them, help to safeguard the future.
Contact details
President: David J. Williams OBE FREng PhD DEng FSA
Secretary: Tom Bennett
Website
https://www.thearmsandarmoursociety.org
HBSA – HISTORICAL BREECHLOADING SMALLARMS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1973, the fundamental aim of the HBSA is to encourage the preservation of historical breech loading firearms and ammunition and to foster the study of all aspects of the subject, from the aesthetics of sporting guns and the engraver’s art, to the functional aspects of firearms used by the soldier, target shooter and the sporting shooter. The HBSA considers that the private collection and use of historical arms and ammunition is essential to facilitate historical research, and to achieve preservation of these heritage artefacts for future generations.
The founding group of academics, students of arms and collectors were concerned with the threat to the preservation of privately owned historical firearms, which represent an irreplaceable part of our social, industrial, military and sporting heritage. We are a national organisation with membership groups that provide a regional presence in Wales, Northern England, the Midlands and the South West. The HBSA is the primary body for collecting, researching, preserving, shooting, and all aspects of historical breech loading small arms within the United Kingdom.
As well as advising on care and conservation, and acting as a forum for the exchange of information, the HBSA pursues the study of historical smallarms through a combination of lectures, research reports and shooting activity. Regular lectures are held by video conferencing and in other venues. We have close relationships with the Imperial War Museum in London and the Royal Armouries, where we are acknowledged as a specialist group. We are also given access to arms and documents held in certain reserve collections.
We liaise with Home Office, Police, NRA, other shooting/collecting organisations in UK and abroad and are members of British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC). We maintain close links with other European collecting organisations through the Federation of European Societies of Arms Collectors (FESAC).
Research papers, extracts from historical documents and articles written by HBSA members and others are published in our annual Journal. The proceedings of our meetings and other activities are published in a quarterly newsletter Report.
Contact details
Chairman: Derek STIMPSON
Secretary: Chris REID
Website
http://www.hbsa-uk.org/
MLAGB – Muzzle Loading Association of Great Britain
The Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain (MLAGB) was formed in 1952 and is the Governing Body for muzzle loading within the UK. Its objectives are to encourage an interest in muzzle loading firearms, to promote, regulate and safeguard their use and to preserve their freedom of collection.
Contact details
Chairman: Jon Harper-Smith
Website
https://www.mlagb.com/