This part of the permanent exhibition was opened on 20 May 2016, and it presents the structure of Hungarian military in the period between the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and the outbreak of the Great War. This period, the so-called ‘halcyon days of peace’, is introduced with the help of uniforms, decorations, weapons and ammunition, from a military history perspective.
In the first hall, visitors can get acquainted with the structure and organization of the armed forces of Austria-Hungary, and with the world of uniforms, edged weapons and documents characteristic of the period. They are provided an insight into the decorations system too, where orders, decorations and medals are accompanied by certificates.
The second hall deals with education and practical training, with military equipment, as well as the products of ammunition industry and military technology. During this period, numerous new weapons were constructed; breech loading weapons replaced ones with the muzzle loading system. One can observe the M1854/67 14mm Wänzl infantry rifle, the Remington rifle and the Werndl family. Bayonets, ammunitions and cartridge boxes are also shown next to the exhibited guns. A separate showcase is dedicated to the Mannlicher family, where one can find cross sections, making the firing mechanism easier to understand. The Museums’ rich collection of firearms also allows representing in a separate showcase the progress of pistols and revolvers.
Artillery ammunitions and the topic of the Navy appear in the third hall. This is where the huge technological improvement of the artillery is shown, mainly represented by different types of artillery ammunition. Along the rows of ammunition and fuses (partly original, partly reconstructed) visitors can follow the progress from breech-loaders’ first cast iron grenades to modern shells used in the First World War. The exhibition’s jewels are a pair of rare naval guns.
The exhibition was created with the financial support of the Hungarian First World War Centenary Commemorative Committee (Első Világháborús Centenáriumi Emlékbizottság).