The Museo Armería 9 de Abril occupies the former private gun shop Compañía Armera de Cuba that was founded in 1934. When Fidel Castro’s 26th July Movement decided to evoke a mass movement and called general strike on the island in 1958, the rebels attacked this shop in order to seize the weapons, as they had to be armed against the bloody tyranny of Fulgencio Batista. However, the action failed, and four rebels were killed during the assault (Carlos Astiazaraín, Marcelo Muñoz, Roberto Casals and Reynaldo Aulet). In 1959, the site was declared a Historic Site and National Monument in remembrance of the fallen rebels. In 1971 the building was inaugurated as the Museo Armería 9 de Abril that contained a large collection of firearms and bladed weapons from the 18th to the 20th century. Some of them belong to the figures that played critical role in the history of Cuba. In 1990s the museum was enriched by some weapons donated by Fidel Castro.

The display cabinets in front of the one-room museum are full of several models of rifles. The reproduction of a spark gun from the 18th century and the rifle set with binoculars and bayonet draw the attention of most of the visitors. A few gunpowder horns are placed at the top of the cabinet. There is also an extensive collection of machetes, knives and other cutters.

In another showcase some weapons that witnessed important events, are exhibited. The 1911 model, gold and silver coated Colt that was the gift of the famous American writer Frank Waters to Fidel Castro Ruz, and another 1911 model Colt that was used in the assault in July 26, are the most notable pieces among the handgun collection.  The Skorpion sub-machine gun of Piti Fajardo that participated in the rebel army as doctor and as fighter on the Sierra mountains, stands out. Also, the puppy revolver that belonged to Andrés Torres Rodríguez who had participated in the preparations of the strike in April 9, is another historical weapon that was made in Spain in 1925. The Springfield rifle from 1896 was modified by the members of the Rebel Army (Ejército Rebelde) on the Sierra Maestra mountains and a charger with larger capacity was mounted on it.  You can read the inscription on the charger: “July 26. Made in Sierra Maestra”. The 23-model submachine from the 20th century, was used by the Revolutionary Militia in the first year of the Revolution. Another 1911 model Colt that was the donation of the Colonel Armando Galarza, has a nice embroidered grip with the shield of Cuba.

In separate showcases the M2 Carabine that was used by Ernesto Che Guevara on Sierra Maestra mountains and the Beretta rifle that belonged to Celia Sánchez Manduley are displayed.

The antique cash register and the showcase full of medicine that were used by the rebels, are the other details of the museum. The radio Jewel is the donation of Arturo Aulet Viada. It was used in the house where explosives were manufactured and hidden.

On the back of the museum, there are photos of those who died during the assault, as well as a few documents and newspaper articles from the time. The ties that were made ready in the memory of July 26 and the handbills, printed to call the Cubans for general strike, can be seen in the showcase.