The collection of protective arms provides us with a clear picture of how soldiers protected themselves in wartime. Whether marksman, pikeman, hussar, harquebusier or cuirassier, officer or aristocratic military leader, they are all represented by their armour and helmets in the Styrian Armoury.

There are around 3,844 items:

• helmets
• suits of chain mail
• armoured sleeves
• shields
• suits of armour

The armour dates back to 1500 - 1685 and was commissioned by the Styrian estates from armourers and mail makers in Graz, Nuremberg and Augsburg. 
 

Amongst the most interesting exhibits is a horse armour made in the workshop of Conrad Seusenhofer in Innsbruck in c. 1510 and came to the Armoury in 1814 as a gift from Karl, Count of Stubenberg.

There are more elaborate officer’s armours of aristocrats as well as pieces used in tournament: a field armour made in the workshop of Conrad Richter in Augsburg which belonged to Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria, a fluted armour made in the workshop of Hans Maystetter in Innsbruck as well as the great garniture for tournament of Kaspar Baron of Völs-Schenkenberg which was made in the workshop of Michael Witz the Younger in Innsbruck.