Collection Spotlight: Arms and Armor November 25, 2009

Within the collection are three broad areas: arms and armor from Native American cultures, objects from Spain's colonial possessions, and items of European and American manufacture. The collection focuses on both outstanding craftsmanship and utilitarian function -- that is, items intended for actual use rather than solely for display, from ancient Native American armaments to the widely recognized Colt .45s associated with the American gunslinger. Expertly crafted arms and armor express broader cultural and historic forces. Hence, highlights from the collection of arms and armor presented herein are organized first by culture of origin and, within origin, chronologically.