Armoury

An armoury is a place where weapons, ammunition, and related equipment are stored, maintained, and issued to approved personnel. The term can refer to a storage building or a dedicated room within a fort, ship, or installation, as well as a workshop in which arms and armor are manufactured, repaired, or refurbished. An armoury may also house protective gear such as body armor and helmets.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French armurerie, from Latin arma (weapons) with the suffix -erie indicating a place or collection.

Contents and operations: Typical armouries keep inventories of firearms, ammunition, melee weapons, armor, toolkits, cleaning supplies, and spare parts. Procedures cover inspection, maintenance, calibration, repair, and routine issuing and return of equipment to authorized users. Security is a primary concern, with restricted access, vaults or safes, surveillance, and detailed record-keeping.

History: Armories have existed since antiquity as central stores for royal or military weapons. In the Middle Ages they housed swords, armor, and powder. With the advent of gunpowder and firearms, armories expanded to include muskets, artillery, and cartridges. In modern states, armories often function as centralized depots operated by military or police forces, or as private workshops for armourers and gunsmiths.

Modern usage and regulation: National and local authorities typically maintain armories or arsenals to supply personnel and ensure stock control, safety, and compliance with laws. Civilian terms such as “armory” may describe private collections or clubs, or dedicated rooms in residences or facilities.