Militaria

Frankfurt is a city with virtually no significant military traditions. Here, more and more emphasis was placed on peace and prosperity through trade. The collection of weapons, which, along with uniforms and medals and decorations, makes up the Militaria collection, is therefore largely the result of the private passion of a wealthy collector.

The 400 or so weapons in the Historical Museum date from the 12th to 20th centuries. A few of them came from the municipal arsenal, where Frankfurt's cannons and mortars were kept. They were operated by gunners, called "Konstabler" in Frankfurt. Their most important activity was firing firecrackers with these cannons at imperial coronations and major festivals.

Most of the collection is divided into two periods: On the one hand, these are the older weapons from the 13th to 18th centuries. There are a few swords, spurs and stirrups from the Middle Ages. There is a fairly large selection of edged weapons such as sabres, swords, rapiers, halberds and partisans from the later period. There is also a smaller number of crossbows, maces, judges' swords, pistols and rifles. Bridles, spurs, stirrups and horseshoes also belong to the cavalry. The museum's collection includes iron helmets, chain mail and parts of five suits of armor as protective clothing for the combatants.

The weapons of the "Free City of Frankfurt" (1815-1866), which were used almost exclusively for ceremonial purposes, form a completely different collection. There was never any blood on these honorary swords and ornamental sabres. With these weapons and the existing uniforms, individual members of the Frankfurt citizen military and the line troops can be put together in their equipment. Most of them were collected by the collector Christian Alexander Fellner (1800-1883) and bequeathed to the museum.

Literature

Albert Rapp, Die Waffensammlung im Stadtgeschichtlichen Museum, Frankfurt 1937.

Frank Berger, The collection of historical weapons of Christian Alexander Fellner (1800-1883).

In: Jan Gerchow (ed.), Frankfurt Collectors and Donors, Frankfurt 2012, pp. 169-179.

Volker Löbner, Frankfurt orders and decorations 1806-1866, Frankfurt 2015.

Volker Löbner, Frankfurt edged weapons and militaria 1806-1866, Frankfurt 2016.

Volker Löbner, Frankfurt Uniforms 1806-1866, Frankfurt 2017.