Woolwich Arsenal Collection

Big Gun
circa 1885: The breech block of a large gun being gauged and fitted at Woolwich Arsenal. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

Engraving depicting the making of Minie balls at Woolwich Arsenal
5309346 Engraving depicting the making of Minie balls at Woolwich Arsenal; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the making of Minie balls at Woolwich Arsenal)

Crimean Heroes and Trophies, at Woolwich - from a photograph by J. Cundall and R. Howlett, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Crimean Heroes and Trophies, at Woolwich - from a photograph by J. Cundall and R. Howlett, 1856....Company Sergeant Christy (sitting), and Sergeant Samuel McGifford, both of the 4th Battalion

Officers and Privates of the Siege-Train (Royal Artillery) Passing Before the Queen, at Woolwich, 18 Creator: Unknown
Officers and Privates of the Siege-Train (Royal Artillery) Passing Before the Queen, at Woolwich, 1856. British troops returning from the Crimean War

Athletic Games at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich - Running High Jump, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Athletic Games at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich [in south London] - Running High Jump, 1850....the Gentlemen Cadets at Woolwich amused themselves and a large party of their friends

The International Exhibition: Trophy of Armstrong Guns and Coils from the Royal Gun... 1862. Creator: Unknown
The International Exhibition: Trophy of Armstrong Guns and Coils from the Royal Gun Factories, Woolwich Arsenal, 1862. This magnificent trophy is exhibited by John Anderson

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: naval practice with a 100-pounder, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: naval practice with a 100-pounder, 1862. British sailors firing a cannon. From "Illustrated London News", 1862

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: casting the shot and shell for 100... 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: casting the shot and shell for 100 pounders, 1862. In viewing the manner in which the work is carried out in the various branches of the Royal

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the guns at the proof-butts, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the guns at the proof-butts, 1862.... to fire a piece of ordnance...by the ordinary method of a man pulling a friction-tube while others are

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: finish-turning a 100-pounder, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: finish-turning a 100-pounder, 1862. The gun, being now completely built up, is carried to a lathe for the purpose of being finish-turned

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the beehive, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the beehive, 1862. This is the upper floor of a two-storied building upwards of 200ft. in length and 60ft

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: firing from the rests, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: firing from the rests, 1862. At the Royal Laboratory practice-range of Woolwich Arsenal number of gunmakers of celebrity were present

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the rifle-rest, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the rifle-rest, 1862. At the Royal Laboratory practice-range of Woolwich Arsenal number of gunmakers of celebrity were present

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the Council of the National Rifle... 1862 Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the Council of the National Rifle Association watching the target, 1862

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: welding the coil, 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: welding the coil, 1862. An Armstrong gun was a uniquely designed type of rifled breech-loading field

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: coiling the bars, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: coiling the bars, 1862. An Armstrong gun was a uniquely designed type of rifled breech-loading field

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: drawing down and welding the... 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: drawing down and welding the bars previous to coiling, 1862. An Armstrong gun was a uniquely designed type of rifled breech-loading field

Finishing shells at Woolwich Arsenal, 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Finishing shells at Woolwich Arsenal, 1862. Exertions are continued at Woolwich to supply munitions of war to the British possessions in North America...The splendid shell foundry is capable of

Antique London's photographs: Royal gun factory, Woolwich Arsenal

England, London, Woolwich, The Royal Brass Foundry Building

Elizabeth Line, Woolwich Arsenal, London, UK, May 2022. Creator: Ethel Davies
Elizabeth Line, Woolwich Arsenal, London, UK, May 2022. The interior at the new Woolwich Arsenal station access point to the Elizabeth Line, London underground station, SE18, England

Military Ballooning, Experimental Ascent at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1053018 Military Ballooning, Experimental Ascent at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Military Ballooning)

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal, welding the Coil (engraving)
1620179 Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal, welding the Coil (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

General view of The Royal Arsenal (engraving)
603846 General view of The Royal Arsenal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: General view of The Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, London)

Russian Guns and Bells from Sebastopol, just received at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1608607 Russian Guns and Bells from Sebastopol, just received at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Effects of the Recent Wintry Storm (engraving)
1594635 Effects of the Recent Wintry Storm (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Effects of the Recent Wintry Storm)

Shell Factory, Woolwich Arsenal (litho)
1595693 Shell Factory, Woolwich Arsenal (litho) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Shell Factory, Woolwich Arsenal)

Woolwich Arsenal, the Shell Factory (engraving)
1595666 Woolwich Arsenal, the Shell Factory (engraving) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woolwich Arsenal, the Shell Factory)

The Fenian Conspiracy, swearing-in Special Constables in the Pattern-Room, Royal Laboratory
1588455 The Fenian Conspiracy, swearing-in Special Constables in the Pattern-Room, Royal Laboratory, Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by English School

Military Ballooning (engraving)
604514 Military Ballooning (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Bowdlers Balloon, military ballooning - experiemental ascent at Woolwich Arsenal, London)

Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich Arsenal (b / w photo)
2803281 Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich Arsenal (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich Arsenal)

Testing the Eighty-One-Ton Gun at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1621336 Testing the Eighty-One-Ton Gun at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by Robinson, Charles (1840-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: Testing the Eighty-One-Ton Gun at Woolwich Arsenal)

Shell Factory, Woolwich Arsenal (litho)
1595692 Shell Factory, Woolwich Arsenal (litho) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Shell Factory, Woolwich Arsenal)

War Manufactures at Woolwich Arsenal, 700 lb Palliser Shells for the 38-Ton Guns (engraving)
1106612 War Manufactures at Woolwich Arsenal, 700 lb Palliser Shells for the 38-Ton Guns (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The "Infant School"at Woolwich Arsenal, as seen by the Czar (engraving)
1105778 The " Infant School" at Woolwich Arsenal, as seen by the Czar (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Explosion of the Rocket Factory at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1107203 The Explosion of the Rocket Factory at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by Hopkins, Arthur (1848-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Hango Trophies at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1608559 Hango Trophies at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hango Trophies at Woolwich Arsenal)

The Torpedo and its Development (b / w photo)
1605180 The Torpedo and its Development (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Torpedo and its Development)

Female workers at the Woolwich Arsenal, London (b / w photo)
443397 Female workers at the Woolwich Arsenal, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Military Pictures; English, out of copyright

Armstrong Gun (engraving)
1620266 Armstrong Gun (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Armstrong Gun. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 5 April 1862)

Boring the Trunnion Coil of the 81-Ton Gun at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1621251 Boring the Trunnion Coil of the 81-Ton Gun at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Naval Preparations, Scenes in Woolwich Arsenal (b / w photo)
1042004 Naval Preparations, Scenes in Woolwich Arsenal (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Naval Preparations, Scenes in Woolwich Arsenal)

The convicts returning to the hulks (engraving)
614610 The convicts returning to the hulks (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The convicts returning to the hulks from their labour in the Arsenal)

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal, the Beehive (engraving)
1620264 Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal, the Beehive (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Woolwich Arsenal, the Shell Factory (litho)
1595665 Woolwich Arsenal, the Shell Factory (litho) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woolwich Arsenal, the Shell Factory)

Woolwich Arsenal, Torpedoes and Shells (litho)
1595645 Woolwich Arsenal, Torpedoes and Shells (litho) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woolwich Arsenal, Torpedoes and Shells)

Working a "Night Heat", the Great 35-Ton Steam Hammer at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving)
1053304 Working a " Night Heat", the Great 35-Ton Steam Hammer at Woolwich Arsenal (engraving) by Murray, William Bazett (fl.1871-90); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Defence and Unite off Woolwich (engraving)
614611 The Defence and Unite off Woolwich (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Defence hulk and the Unite convict hospital ship, off Woolwich)

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"Woolwich Arsenal: A Historical Hub of Innovation and Defense" Step into the rich history of Woolwich Arsenal, a renowned landmark in England's capital city, London. Nestled in the vibrant district of Woolwich, this iconic site has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's military prowess and technological advancements. At its core, Woolwich Arsenal stands as a symbol of power and strength. From its early days as The Royal Brass Foundry Building to its present-day transformation as an integral part of the Elizabeth Line project set to open in May 2022, this location has witnessed remarkable changes throughout time. One cannot overlook the significance of military ballooning at Woolwich Arsenal—an experimental ascent that pushed boundaries and expanded horizons. Engravings depicting these awe-inspiring moments remind us of humanity's relentless pursuit to conquer new heights. The manufacture of the Armstrong Gun holds another chapter within this historical narrative. Witnessed through detailed engravings capturing welding techniques on coils, it showcases how innovation met precision at Woolwich Arsenal. These guns were instrumental in safeguarding nations during times of conflict. A general view engraving transports us back to witness The Royal Arsenal bustling with activity—a testament to its importance as a center for defense production. Russian Guns and Bells from Sebastopol further highlight international connections established by this formidable institution. Nature's fury is no match for resilience displayed at Woolwich Arsenal—the Effects of the Recent Wintry Storm engraving captures how even amidst adversity, determination prevailed within these walls. Delving deeper into its operations reveals specialized areas like Shell Factory—where lithographs depict meticulous craftsmanship involved in producing essential ammunition for national security. This factory served as an embodiment of dedication towards protecting lives on both local and global scales. Beyond manufacturing excellence lies another intriguing aspect—the Fenian Conspiracy engraving unveils secret ceremonies held within Pattern-Rooms where Special Constables took their oath under watchful eyes at Royal Laboratory—a reminder of the constant vigilance required to safeguard peace.