The museum is a thematic one where the artefacts on display are arranged within the context of the four main subjects covered - the history and evolution of gunpowder, artillery, navigation and time signals. The rich collection on display consists of time, navigational and gunnery instruments along with original uniforms, small arms ammunition and rare period cannon models. Amongst the main exhibits, one can find historic artillery formerly in use at the Saluting Battery, namely 24/32-pr iron Blomfield muzzle-loading guns; a 24-pr garrison Carronade; an 18-pr field gun, a US-made 18/75mm field gun and a 25-pr gun. Furthermore, a 40mm Bofors gun the type of which, was emplaced at the Saluting Battery during World War Two can also be found. Another important piece of ordnance is an Italian 1551 bronze saker belonging to the Order of St. John along with a curious signal mortar.

There is also a rich collection of artillery instruments including rare 16th century bombardier 'cento-venti' daggers, gun levels and range finders.









THE SALUTING BATTERY
The Saluting Battery was active between 1570 and 1947 before being restored to its present form in 2004. It served various functions, from being Malta's designated national ceremonial platform to its official time marker. A noon-day gun was fired from here precisely at mid-day, six days a week between 1824 and 1923. This signal regulated the on-board clocks of the fleet and civilian mariners present in the harbor, which they later used to find the longitude at sea