Museum of the Manchester Regiment Object Focus

Armoury Key

This is believed to be the original key used to secure the ammunition store at Ladysmith Barracks, Ashton-under-Lyne. 

It is thought to date from the 1840’s. It is marked on one side with the words ‘Magazine Yard’ and on the other with the War Department initials and ‘Broad Arrow’.

What does the ‘Broad Arrow’ mean?

This is the Government’s property mark. It was first used in 1330. You can see this on many military items as it was used by the Board of Ordnance, War Office and now Ministry of Defence (MoD).

It basically means the object is an officially approved item.