Combined Military Services Museum

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Once again the ECW Travelogue packed a toothbrush and set off for the wilds of Essex, this time to visit the Combined Military Services Museum (henceforth CMSM). 


CMSM grew out of a private collection to be the museum that is seen today. The museum houses a number of collections of national importance including the Donnington Collection, as well as an extensive SOE collection, and a very impressive collection of WWII uniforms. 

However, what interests the ECW Travelogue is the arms and armour, 1800BC- 1800AD collection. Apparently the curator's interests lie with the Civil Wars too...

The evolution of the helmet

The museum really is worth travelling out of your way to; the displays are inevitably a little crowded (as they have so much stuff in a relatively small space), they would need a much larger site to display the collection better.

So here's a photo gallery of some of the items on display (lighting in the museum makes photography pretty difficult), notable items have a caption. 










A rare 1640s felt hat


Lochaber axe c1680

Described as a 'rare 1645 ECW Royalist marching drum'

This post, and an email enquiry has led to a very interesting conversation with the CMSM curator. She very kindly supplied me with pictures of the other side of the drum that bears a coat of arms. I'm no heraldry expert but the drum's armorial crest has quite a few similarities with the Ducal arms of Württemberg. A German coat of arms? The following two pictures are courtesy of The CMSM





A selection of musket rests




Fabric sword hanger



Scottish morning star c1640



My only real complaint about CMSM is the fact that it is located so very far away from Château KeepYourPowderDry. Which is so incredibly inconsiderate of them, that it could be considered rude.

Postcodes for SatNavs

CMSM, Station Road, Maldon CM9 4LQ


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