Purchased with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a number of famous weapons featured in a range of cult and classic television shows and films are now on display in Leeds Armouries Museum. The collection became open to the public on Friday 25th October. 

Entitled Make: Believe, the exhibition is now home to weapons including: blasters from Star Wars, a helmet from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, swords used in the Lord of the Rings films, Lancelot’s armour from the 1981 film Excalibur and also a ‘pulse rifle’ from the 1979 sci-fi film Aliens. 

These new additions will join more than 8,500 objects that can be found in the museum’s impressive collection of arms and armour. 

Not only will the weapons be on display, there will be some of the stunt work as well as special effects that are used when creating battle scenes for people to view. 

Leeds Armouries Museum opened its doors in 1996, located in Leeds Dock after many of its exhibits were transferred from the Tower of London. 

Laura Bell, director of collections at Leeds Armouries Museum stated:

“For many, knowledge of arms and armour begins in popular culture, and whether we see it in film or television, some of the most iconic scenes on the silver screen have revolved around these objects”.

She added, “We hope the public are excited as we are to see these fantastic pieces of cinematic, television and stage history on display in Leeds”. 

Other highlights of the displays include guns and concept art from Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, a vampire killing kit, swords used in the 2006 film Eragon and also armour from the 2004 film The Chronicles of Riddick. 

Main image: Michael White Productions/Allstar