Swords and cannons and guns, oh my

[oneiriad]

Went to Copenhagen today, mainly because I have been wanting to see a special exhibition about the Danish military in the 18th century and this was the last week it was. So, I went to Tøjhusmuseet (no, I have no idea what a Tøjhus is, let alone how to translate it) and looked around. First, of course, at the permanent exhibit - simply because it was the first thing I encountered. First half of the permanent exhibit is called The Cannon Hall - three guesses what they have there - and lots of them, I might add. Mostly apparently fished up from wrecks - at least the older ones. God, those things are big when you see them up close.

The rest of the permanent exhibition (that I saw - I skipped the floor with modern things) is full of swords and pistols and riffels, various other weapons and medals, some armor and even military instruments - you know, drums and signalhorns, that sort of thing. I nearly fell in love with the 16th and 17th century riffels they had, inlaid with pretty ivory (and in one case mother-of-pearl) decorations. There was one riffel that was about twice as long as I am tall - I didn't know they made them that big. The swords - all sorts of swords. Huge, two-handed things (how did they ever use those things? - nevermind that, how did they even ever lift them?), rapiers, cutlasses, all sorts of swords - they had an executioner's sword which had something written on it, but the sword was German and the writing was curly and I couldn't make it out. They had an American sword which had this pretty blue star pattern on the blade and I can't figure out how they made it. They even had a rapier which for some reason it was very important to point out was Bavarian.

In one of the exhibition cases was a collection of helmets and one of them caught my eye - something called a hjelmkryds, or so I seem to remember. It wasn't an actual helmet, as much as some bands of metal which was apparently placed along with some padding inside a hat (a tricorn, in the exhibit - guess what caught my eye?). It didn't say what it was called in English, unfortunately, and I cannot seem to find that information anywhere. Shame. I would have liked to know. It's enfuriating that it is an old museum, and that most of the exhibits have only listed what it is, country and year. There were times when I would have appreciated a little more explanation about things. Perhaps the museum is overdue for an update/renovation?

Truth be told, the exhibit I had come to see was the least interesting. Oh, it had a few good points - like teaching me that military marches from ca. 1700 is not to my taste. Or that the 18th century Danish military was partly paid in rye bread - now I like rye bread, but that's just ridiculous. Oh, and apparently Denmark once fought a war called the "Cowberry War" (as far as I can find, we won it - sort of. Wasn't even technically our war to begin with.)

Anyway, it was an enjoyable enough museum visit. And afterwards I went to the cinema to watch "Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy". So, all in all, a nice day...

Comments

[elessil.livejournal.com]

Sounds fun! And period weaponry research may come in handy ;)

[oneiriad.livejournal.com]

It was quite fun, yes - though I do seriously think that this museum is vastly overdue for a update of its permanent exhibit. Still, I like museums - am currently looking forward to visiting The Royal Danish Naval Museum with a friend next week...

[jenlan.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a wonderful exhibit. Wish I could have seen it.

[oneiriad.livejournal.com]

Well, most of the exhibit is permanent, so it's not going anywhere. Of course, since it's in Copenhagen, that might be a problem in itself ;-) Ah well, that's life.