Military

The Museum's superb military collections document the history of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. The collections include ordnance, firearms, and swords; uniforms and insignia; national and military flags and banners; and many other objects.

The strength of the collections lies in their enormous depth. Some 3,000 military small arms and 2,400 civilian firearms document the mechanical and technological history of the infantryman's weapons from the beginning of the gunpowder era to the present. Among the 4,000 swords and knives in the collection are many spectacular presentation pieces. The collections also include Civil War era telegraph equipment, home front artifacts from both world wars, early computers such as ENIAC, Whirlwind, and Sage, and materials carried at antiwar demonstrations.

Physical DescriptionFrench silver-hilted officer's small sword with silvered guard and knuckle bow.Specific HistoryThis artifact is part of the large collection of firearms and militaria from the Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson collection.Brem Jackson (1910-1979) was by all accounts
Description
Physical Description
French silver-hilted officer's small sword with silvered guard and knuckle bow.
Specific History
This artifact is part of the large collection of firearms and militaria from the Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson collection.
Brem Jackson (1910-1979) was by all accounts a modest and intensely private individual. He was unknown as a collector to neighbors and other military connoisseurs. Born in New York, he was raised with a French governess who told him stories of the Napoleonic Era and instilled in him an early fascination for the French emperor.
His family moved to Florence, Italy, for 14 years. While there he studied and became fluent in French, German, and Italian. While traveling Europe, touring battlefields and military cemeteries, he began collecting and making miniature model soldiers. After World War II, he moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where his collection further grew with the addition of original uniforms. He collected enough antique gear and uniforms to field a small army. He began but never completed cataloging his collection of items ranging in date from Classical Greece through World War I and housed in a large barn known locally as "Brem's Place." The barn, wagon shed, and ship studio contained not only the collection but also a master craftsman's studio and forge and an outstanding military reference library. From here Jackson gathered, restored, and researched his world-class holdings of militaria. He had an underground firing range on the property and occasionally even fired off cannons outside the barn. Although he occasionally corresponded with the Smithsonian's curators of military history, he never met with them and gave no notice of his intended bequest to the nation.
Much of his collection was part of a large bequest to the Smithsonian at his death in 1979.
General History
This type of sword was used by both French and American officers during the American Revolution.
Date made
1750-1770
ID Number
1980.0399.0227
accession number
1980.0399
catalog number
1980.0399.0227
Physical DescriptionForged steel with brass grip.Specific HistoryEnglish sword used during the French and Indian War.
Description
Physical Description
Forged steel with brass grip.
Specific History
English sword used during the French and Indian War.
Date made
c. 1751
date made
ca 1751
ID Number
AF.73774M
catalog number
73774M
accession number
287867
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1981.0837.01
accession number
1981.0837
catalog number
1981.0837.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Meigs, Return Jonathan
ID Number
AF.13626
catalog number
13626
accession number
54812
Physical DescriptionForged steel with decorated scabbard.Specific HistoryStrong Vincent used this sword at Gettysburg. The Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers sword was made by W.H. Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia.
Description
Physical Description
Forged steel with decorated scabbard.
Specific History
Strong Vincent used this sword at Gettysburg. The Model 1850 Staff and Field Officers sword was made by W.H. Horstmann & Sons of Philadelphia. Vincent's widow had brass plagues placed on the scabbard to commemorate her husband's service and sacrifice.
General History
Strong Vincent was a young lawyer when he volunteered for the war. He married on the day he enlisted and as he served, he wrote to his wife, “If I fall, remember you have given your husband to the most righteous cause that ever widowed a woman.” Vincent went into battle carrying her riding crop as a keepsake. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union saw the value of securing a rocky outcropping called Little Round Top. Vincent seized the opportunity, taking the boulder and brandishing his wife’s riding crop as he yelled to his men, “Don’t give an inch.” As he uttered the words a bullet tore through his thigh and lodged in his body. The line held, but Vincent was mortally wounded. He lingered for five days before succumbing to his wound. Major General George Sykes wrote, “Night closed the fight. The key of the battlefield was in our possession intact. Vincent, Weed and Hazlett ... sealed with their lives the spot entrusted to their keeping, and on which so much depended."
associated person
Vincent, Strong
maker
William H. Horstmann & Sons
ID Number
AF.14438
catalog number
14438
accession number
55740
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1750
ID Number
AF.43395
catalog number
43395
accession number
164794
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1770
ID Number
AF.35487
catalog number
35487
accession number
91731
Currently on loan
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
c. 1770
unspecified
Hopkins, Alfred
ID Number
AF.35486
catalog number
35486
accession number
91731
Physical DescriptionForged steel with a stained ivory-and-silvered guard and knuckle bow. Scabbard is leather with metal trim.Specific HistorySword and scabbard carried by Major General Benjamin Lincoln throughout the Revolutionary War.
Description
Physical Description
Forged steel with a stained ivory-and-silvered guard and knuckle bow. Scabbard is leather with metal trim.
Specific History
Sword and scabbard carried by Major General Benjamin Lincoln throughout the Revolutionary War. General Lincoln played a major role in accepting the surrender at Yorktown.
General History
Surrender at Yorktown
General Charles Conrwallis was so mortified by his defeat that he dispatched his second-in-command, Brigadier General Charles O'Hara, to surrender his forces. When O'Hara offered Cornwallis's sword to George Washington, Washington, in keeping with the rigid hierarchies of military protocol, asked his second-in-command, Major General Benjamin Lincoln, to accept it.
During the surrender ceremonies on the afternoon of October 19, 1781, British Brigadier General Charles O'Hara led a column of British troops out of Yorktown. He surrendered to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who then directed British troops to lay down their weapons.
user
Lincoln, Benjamin
ID Number
AF.65512M
catalog number
65512
accession number
226019
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1750-1770
unspecified
Hopkins
ID Number
AF.35489
catalog number
35489
accession number
91731
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.35657G
catalog number
35657G
accession number
98448
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1775
ID Number
AF.77232M
catalog number
77232M
accession number
2008.0151
Physical DescriptionForged steel with wooden grip wrapped with wire. Inscribed "Artillerie de France Paris" near the handle.
Description
Physical Description
Forged steel with wooden grip wrapped with wire. Inscribed "Artillerie de France Paris" near the handle.
maker
Solingen
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83510W07
Physical DescriptionBritish officer's small sword.Currently not on view
Description
Physical Description
British officer's small sword.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.35490
catalog number
35490
accession number
91731
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.10282
catalog number
10282
accession number
42730
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1767
ID Number
AF.290530
catalog number
290530
accession number
59652
Sword presented by George Washington to Gen. Benjamin LincolnSword, scabbard, and sword knotCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Sword presented by George Washington to Gen. Benjamin Lincoln
Description
Sword, scabbard, and sword knot
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Lincoln, Benjamin
Washington, George
ID Number
AF.65515M
catalog number
65515M
accession number
227808
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1861 - 1865
ID Number
AF.40929
catalog number
40929
accession number
146693
Presented to General William B. Hazen by the Officers of his staff in June 1863West Point graduate William B. Hazen was wounded in action against the Comanche in Texas prior to the Civil War.
Description (Brief)
Presented to General William B. Hazen by the Officers of his staff in June 1863
Description
West Point graduate William B. Hazen was wounded in action against the Comanche in Texas prior to the Civil War. He fought at Shiloh and Stones River where he was wounded, yet credited with saving the Union Line at “Hell’s Half Acre.” He continued to serve in the Army until his death in 1887.
The blade of this sword is long, straight, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow. Both sides of the blade are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The silver decorations consist of floral sprays and designs. The gold chasing on the obverse is in the shape of two flags, military trophies, and a shield. The gold chasing on the reverse creates a flag and a classical style helmet. The grip is shark skin with a three wire medley that wraps around the grip 11 times in a spiral. There is a gold backstrap on the grip. The pommel is in the shape of an eagle's head. The knuckle guard is decorated in a casting of floral sprays in the center and laurel leaves on the sides. There is an eagle casting the bears the US shield on the base of the guard. The counterguard is ovular and bowl shaped and is similarly decorated with floral spray castings and laurel leaves. The counterguard terminates in a quillon that is shaped like a lion's head.
The scabbard bears three gold mounts. Each mount features ornate castings of floral and scroll designs. It is inscribed “Presented to / Gen. W.B. Hazen. / by the Officers of his staff / June 1863 / Shiloh, April 7, 1862, Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.” between the top two mounts on the scabbard's obverse. The scabbard bears two carrying rings, one on the right hand side of the two top mounts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
referenced
1862
recipient
Hazen, William Babcock
maker
Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
maker of blade
Luneschloss, Paul D.
ID Number
1984.0834.27
catalog number
1984.0834.27
accession number
1984.0834
This French naval small sword has a brass hilt and leather grip. The blade is etched with a French anchor emblem and the date “1782”. Although it is a foreign weapon, American sailors would have seen and used such swords.
Description
This French naval small sword has a brass hilt and leather grip. The blade is etched with a French anchor emblem and the date “1782”. Although it is a foreign weapon, American sailors would have seen and used such swords. Weapons of all sorts, from cannon to knives, were traded internationally as well as bartered, captured, stolen, purchased, smuggled or otherwise easily obtained.
Date made
1782
associated date
1782
ID Number
1980.0399.0248
catalog number
E-377
accession number
1980.0399
catalog number
1980.0399.0248
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Halderman, John A.
ID Number
AF.6243
catalog number
6243
Sword presented to Brigadier General G. W. Morgan for his service in the Mexican War.The blade of this sword is similar to those found in Model 1840 Artillery Officers' Sabers; it is curved and single edged.
Description (Brief)
Sword presented to Brigadier General G. W. Morgan for his service in the Mexican War.
Description
The blade of this sword is similar to those found in Model 1840 Artillery Officers' Sabers; it is curved and single edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about three quarters of the way to the tip of the blade. There is silver chasing on both sides of the blade. Both sides also feature military trophy and floral designs. On the obverse, there is an eagle holding an "E / PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner, and on the reverse there is a liberty cap in a sunburst. The grip is four sided. On the front, there is an inscription to Col. George W. Morgan, and on the back there are scroll designs and an eagle holding a US shield. The pommel is a cast of an eagle's head. Its beak holds the knuckleguard. The portion of the guard that the eagle holds is a casting of an oak wreath with acorns, but the rest of the knuckleguard is a thin strip of brass with laurel spray designs and two stars. The guard is also very angular; it extends almost directly outward from the eagle and makes an (approximately) 100 degree turn. It also turns at a 90 degree angle at the bottom, which helps to form the counterguard. The counterguard is a basic brass strip decorated in laurel sprays, (similar to the knuckleguard). All of this terminates in a quillon that points downward and bears a scroll design. The langet on the obverse features an engraving of a boat sailing on a river, surrounded by laurel leaves. The langet on the reverse is a blank medallion surrounded by an identical laurel design.
The scabbard is very curved, and features three brass mounts. The first features a casting of a vegetable medley surrounded by laurel leaves. The second is identical, except it is slightly smaller than the first. The drag bears oak spray castings and acorns. Military trophies are found at the very top of the scabbard, and the space between the top two mounts features a plate with a casting of a cannon and other weapons and trophies. The space between the second and third mounts bears an engraving of scroll designs under a cannon and an eagle's head. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side on each of the top two mounts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
recipient
Morgan, George Washington
maker
Ames Manufacturing Company
ID Number
AF.8956
catalog number
8956
accession number
37280
Sword: The blade of this presentation sword is slightly curved and single-edged. Both sides are decorated in silver, gold, and blue chasing.
Description
Sword: The blade of this presentation sword is slightly curved and single-edged. Both sides are decorated in silver, gold, and blue chasing. On the obverse, there are silver scroll designs and floral sprays on a gold background, and a list of Grant's Civil War battles cast in gold writing on a black banner. The banner intertwines with the floral sprays. Towards the bottom of the blade, there is a blue cluster of weapons with a Spanish helmet, battle axe, sword, and shield. There is also a blue monogram that reads, "USG". On the reverse of the blade, there is a similar floral and scroll design. The banner reads "LET / US / HAVE / PEACE". There is also a cluster of weapons that is identical to the group on the obverse. The grip of the sword is ivory, and has been wrapped with gilt wire approximately 21 times. It has a gold and silver metal backstrap that bears a similar design as the blade, as well as a similar cluster of weapons. The pommel is rounded and is an extension of the grip's backstrap. The knuckleguard is an ornate large piece of metal with scroll designs cast in the center, along with a large eagle with a US shield around its neck holding an "E / PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner under 13 gold stars. The counterguard is a half basket shape and is a continuation of the intricate knuckleguard. It terminates in a small quillon.
Scabbard: The scabbard bears three mounts, the third of which acts as a drag. The top two mounts feature identical Spanish mask designs on both faces. The third mount bears a scroll pattern, and the throat of the piece features casting of leaves. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the top two mounts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1873
date presented
1873
recipient
President Ulysses S. Grant
ID Number
AF.16077
catalog number
16077
accession number
13152
Presented to Major James M. Green by Company F of the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment in 1862James M. Green joined the 48th New York Infantry as a Captain in command of Company ‘F’ in 1861. He was presented this sword by Company ‘F’ when promoted to Major in June 1862.
Description (Brief)
Presented to Major James M. Green by Company F of the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment in 1862
Description
James M. Green joined the 48th New York Infantry as a Captain in command of Company ‘F’ in 1861. He was presented this sword by Company ‘F’ when promoted to Major in June 1862. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December, 1862. Green was killed in an assault on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863.
The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about three quarters of the way to the top of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The obverse depicts a classical soldier and floral sprays and is inscribed “Presented to Major James M. Green, 48th Reg. N.Y.S.V. / by the Members of Company F.” The reverse depicts a Union soldier, a "U.S." monogram, and a variety of floral sprays. The grip of the sword is ovular and has a spiral shape. There is a wire chain wrapped around the grip in a spiral. The pommel features a casting of the US shield, and on the top there is a large burgundy garnet. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with laurel sprays and scroll designs.
The scabbard is made of metal that has been painted brown in a wood pattern, and has three gold mounts. The top two mounts are identical, and each bear a casting of a scroll design surrounded by palm leaves with a ring of laurel leaves that cuts across the center. The drag features an eagle casting, along with a scroll design that is similar to the other mounts. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the two top mounts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862
recipient
Green, James M.
maker of blade
Collins & Co.
maker of sword
Miller & Co.
ID Number
AF.37822
catalog number
37822
accession number
117934

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