National Weapons Museum

Santa Fe 750
Tel. 4311-1071 - Extension 179
Open Tuesdays through Fridays from 2 :30 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Holidays: From December 15 to March 15

This Museum is located in the Retiro Palace, site of the Military Circle, facing the historical San Martín Square. lt was created by a decree issued on October 1, 1904, upon an initiative of General Julio A. Roca. Its 18 exhibition rooms offer an exhaustive panorama of all sorts of weapons. The oldest are those dating back to the period comprised between the 12th and 18th centuries, including Spanish, German and Venetian suits of armour ; a replica of the sword used by Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the Cid; helmets, cuirasses, steel arm protectors, coats of mail, war swords, breastplates and daggers. Amongst the cold steels, there are collections of sabres and swords, classified according to their origin. The evolution of firearms ranges from harquebuses to semiautomatic assault rifles. The evolution of the Argentine Mauser rifle is shown together with trophies captured from the English during 19th century invasions and during the Falkland Islands (Isla Malvinas) War.
There is also a varied assortment of weapons such as spears, bayonets, pistols, and heavy and anti-aircraft machine guns. There are also cannons, shells and missiles used by the Argentine army and in both World Wars. There are several pieces from the Desert Campaign on exhibition, in addition to scale models of argentine militaty uniforins from the Conquest up to 1942.