Museum technicians collected the historic piece, a Schilling Modelo Royal shotgun over a century old, which was donated by a private individual for its preservation and display in the municipal collection.
It is a shotgun of the 71E Royal Quality model, serial number 27,344, and 16 gauge, in perfect state of conservation. It stands out for the quality of its materials, finishes, engravings, and technical features, which were uncommon in other weapons of its time.
Its historical interest also lies in its connection to Eibar. It was crafted by Eduardo Schilling Monfort, a German-born arms manufacturer who arrived in Eibar in 1870. In 1893, he founded his own factory and later registered the Jabalí brand, becoming a prominent manufacturer of the era. Schilling employed 27 workers before relocating his operations to Barcelona in 1896.
Schilling's career exemplifies the reach of the Eibar arms industry and its international influence. The donated piece serves as material evidence of that period and the relationships between manufacturers who contributed to the sector's development.
Eibar's mayor, Jon Iraola, thanked the donor for their generosity and emphasized the importance of preserving the city's historical heritage: «Eibar has an extraordinary industrial history, and it is our responsibility to conserve and pass it on».
Councilor for Culture, Andoni Zabala, highlighted the piece's historical and documentary value: «We are not just talking about a high-quality shotgun; it's a piece that allows us to approach a specific era of our industrial history and better understand figures like Eduardo Schilling».
The Museum of the Arms Industry currently houses around a thousand weapons and hundreds of objects from Eibar-based companies, continuously enriched by acquisitions and private donations.
