The Society was formed in 1950 to bring together enthusiasts, collectors, scholars and professional experts to further the study, collection and preservation of arms and armour.
It continues to provide a relaxed and friendly forum for collectors and students of arms and armour, amateur and professional, young and old, to share their interests and learn more about their passions. Members have a broad range of interests including armour, edged weapons, firearms, and other military and civilian arms from all over the world and from all periods.
The Society has a biannual newsletter published in June and December that keeps members in touch with the activities of the Society and major happenings in the world of arms and armour. It also publishes an internationally respected journal twice a year in March and September that reports on original research by Society members and affiliates.
Membership is open to those who share this interest, and this enables participation in monthly online meetings and quarterly hybrid face-to-face/online meetings in London, visits to places of arms and armour interest, and the opportunity to seek help and advice from other members.
Also, the Society keeps an eye on matters affecting the collection and ownership of arms, in particular legislation, and makes appropriate representations on behalf of its members, in order to safeguard their interests. It is a member of the Foundation for European Societies of Arms Collectors.
If you take pleasure in the collection or study of armour, swords, firearms and other arms, it will be greatly enhanced by membership of this Society, which will bring you into contact with others sharing your interests, including many of the world’s leading experts.
It will also enable you to take an active part in furthering your knowledge and that of your fellow members and, by joining with them, helping to safeguard the continuing collection, preservation and study of arms and armour.
Please note that the Society has recently simplified its membership structure and made some changes to the process of application for membership. These are shown on our membership pages – click here to access the membership page.
‘The Journal of the Arms and Armour Society’ is held in: the British Library, Boston Spa and the other UK copyright legal deposit libraries; The Royal Armouries Library, Leeds; The Library of the National Museums of Scotland; The Society of Antiquaries; the major London Museums (the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Wallace Collection); and the London Library and the Guildhall Library. Internationally, it is held by a number of national museums and specific art and arms and armour museums and societies. Single copies of articles can be obtained via the Royal Armouries Library, Leeds, at library@armouries.org.uk.
