New custom-built metal munitions mounts are on display at the RCA Museum at CFB Shilo in January. (Photo: Supplied to Shilo Stag)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

The RCA Museum team works on updating the displays during the cold winter months to prepare for the next season of visitors.

On display in January are two new munitions mounts replacing the deteriorating wooden mounts from the 1970s, offering a much better visual presentation, Andrew Oakden, museum director, said.

“When visitors take a moment to explore the latest displays, we spark their curiosity and achieve our goal,” he said.

A local company was contracted to create two custom four-level metal display mounts to showcase various munitions. The mounts specifically required heavy-duty steel capable of supporting hundreds of pounds per level.

The first munitions display highlights late nineteenth-century artifacts, including brass safety tools for black powder, grapeshot, cannonballs, and rifled muzzle-loading shells.

Oakden said the staff dug into the archives, added more munitions and updated the labelling for improved clarity. The various cannonballs weigh between three and 56 pounds (1.4 – 25.4 kg), while the rifled shells range from seven to 180 pounds (3.17-81.6 kg)

Canadian Gunners fired the cannonballs from smoothbore
cannons and the shells from early rifled muzzle-loading artillery.

The museum director said the second display focuses on four types of WWII munitions, including anti-air, anti-tank, field and tank. It features a variety of projectiles from the Second World War, including rounds for the Sherman Tank and the Panzer VI.

“We included 75mm, 105mm, and 25-pounder rounds for field guns. In the anti-tank category, we showcase various 3-pounder, 6-pounder, and 17-pounder projectiles. At the back of this display, we added impressive anti-air munitions featuring 3-inch, 3.7-inch, 4.5-inch, and 90-mm rounds,” he said.

The updated munitions displays are a notable upgrade from the old wooden ones. The new metal mounts are “eye-catching” and have added safety features, including a protective chain and side rails to prevent the munitions from falling out.

“We organized the display into rows, each labelled with corresponding artifacts, making it easy for visitors to identify the differences between the munitions. We packed the new display with a wide
variety of projectiles used by mostly Canadians.”

with files from The Barrage