SIGNIFICANT SPECIAL ARMS COLLECTIONS

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vaulted ceilings, lack of wall space, and other obstacles which had
to be overcome in programming the exhibits. Field pieces have
been placed in the center of the room, and the few showcases
have been pulled away from the walls. A group of armor-clad
manikins demonstrating various uses of the pike introduces some
variety into the exhibition. The vaulted ceilings prevent the
display of many flags, and so a few have been placed in cases.

The condition

of the armor and weapons is excellent, and the

labels are brief, concise, and neatly printed on plexiglass. Only
representative artifacts have been included in the exhibits of the
main hall. This is a policy followed throughout the entire museum,
for only 6 percent of the total inventory is on display.
Of the other two military halls, only one was open to the

public in 1958. The second was then being readied for exhibits
which would feature modern uniforms and weapons. In contrast
to the fine quality of the displays in the main hall, exhibits in
the smaller room are extremely crowded. Its cramped size permits
only the display of uniforms, hand and shoulder arms, edge
weapons, models, and other small items. As there is insufficient
space to display the uniforms on manikins, they are mounted
against the back of the showcases in a profile or side view arrange
ment. Hats line the bottom of most cases and musical instruments
have been piled on top of some. As a partial solution to the space
problem, the small arms have been placed in racks. Hence, in its
present state, it resembles to some degree a storage room rather
than an exhibit hall.

Although the military department of the Schweizer Landesmuseum is limited in scope, it enjoys a considerable degree of
self-sufficiency and a reputation for professional competence. The
department is reasonably well staffed and includes a head curator,
two assistants, and six technicians. This number of employees
permits some degree of specialization within the department as
well as a modest research program. Although the staff attempts
some extensive study projects, the major portion of its research
time is consumed preparing answers to the many questions the
public raises about weapons, uniforms, and military history. The
museum possesses a good-sized central library, and the military
department maintains the bulk of its reference materials there.
The central library in Zurich also has many volumes on military