The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
military weapons and firearms collection
includes one of the largest and most
diverse exhibitions of hand-held small
arms on display in the southeastern
United States. The collection of over 250
artifacts covers over 200 years of U.S.
military history and contains examples
of a wide variety of weapons from 18th
Century flintlock muskets to modern
anti-tank rocket launchers. In addition
to the small arms, the museum
collections include many examples
of large and small caliber cannon
and artillery pieces, both foreign and
domestic in origin. Many of the arms
in the collection have been donated
to the Museum after having been
captured during various conflicts
fought by Americans.

Parallel to the firearms on display
is the military edged weapons collection.
Several exhibits feature military swords,
sabers, machetes, daggers, bayonets,
bolo knives, trench knives,
and other distinctive examples
of edged weaponry.

Also located at the Museum is the
largest collection of armored and other
type military aircraft and vehicles on
exhibit in the region. This collection
includes representations of ninety
years of heavy arms development
and features, in a special exhibit,
the sole surviving specimen
of America’s oldest production tank.

Military Museums are guardians
against forgetfulness. Since its
inception, countless millions have
endured the hardships of war
to keep America free. The Mississippi
Armed Forces Museum is a repository
for evidence of their deeds and sacrifices.
The Museum’s arms collection,
assembled from weapons made
around the world over many decades,
speaks to what our soldiers, airmen,
sailors, Marines, and other servicemen
and women have accomplished
in the face of our enemies. These
weapons of war bear a timeless and
mute testimony as essential tools in
defense of our freedoms. They are
here for all to see…lest we forget.