Swiss Rifle Museum, Military history museum in Kirchenfeld, Switzerland.
Description
The Swiss Rifle Museum in Kirchenfeld houses a collection of historical firearms, military gear, shooting records, and documents tracing marksmanship development over time. The holdings show how this activity became embedded in Swiss life across many generations.
History
Founded in 1885 during the Federal Shooting Festival, it started as a small shooting room before moving to its current building in 1939. This relocation transformed it into a proper museum and reflected the growing importance of the sport in the nation.
Culture
The museum displays how shooting sports and military traditions connect in Switzerland through medals, uniforms, and competition memorabilia visible today. This relationship shaped how many Swiss people view themselves and their heritage.
Practical
The museum sits in central Bern and opens on Tuesday through Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, making it convenient to fit into a day of sightseeing. Budget time for both the exhibitions and the shooting range experience if you plan to try it.
Did you know?
The building houses a working air rifle range from the 1950s where visitors can still shoot today. This rare blend of museum and active shooting facility lets you experience the tradition firsthand rather than simply reading about it.
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