The MOD's Pattern Room

The world renowned collection contains almost 14,000 working small arms - from a huge variety of pistols and concealed firearms, to fascinating prototype weapons - and the most comprehensive collection of Kalashnikov guns outside Russia.

The collection was set up in 1850 to manage quality control in the manufacture of small arms but its role has now evolved and it now plays a key role in forensic investigations by the civilian police as well as being used as a reference body for weapons research and familiarisation.

The collection is housed at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and, although it is not open to members of the general public, the collection will continue to be used by firearms experts involved in forensic investigation and small arms research.

The term Pattern Room comes from the 17th Century practice of fixing red wax seals (Sealed Patterns) to approved sample weapons to certify their acceptability for service and use as reference patterns in any subsequent manufacture.

There are almost 14,000 working small arms in the collection all under 40mm in calibre - including anti tank weapons, anti aircraft guns, sniper rifles, pistols and machine guns.

The gifting of the Pattern Room means the Royal Armouries has become the world's leading repository of historic and current firearms which will become an international centre of excellence known as the National Firearms Centre.