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.

This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1861. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1861. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals. This medal has a hole at the top so the medal could be worn on an article of clothing.
Obverse: Bust of George McClellan facing left. Legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL GEO. B. McCLELLAN/War OF 1861.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1220
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1220
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals. This medal has been somewhat defaced.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: LIEUT. GEN. U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: Bust of Washington with four flags and spears behind him. Legend reads: THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1119
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1119
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing right. Legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1078
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1078
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1840. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of William Henry Harrison facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GENl W. HARRISON BORN FEB. 9. 1773.
Reverse: Image of a log cabin, with a legend that reads: THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE IN THE YEAR 1840.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
depicted
Harrison, William Henry
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1154
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1154
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT.
Reverse: A legend that reads: THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1087
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1087
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing right. The legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing left. The legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868 (the 1868 is worn down).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1116
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1116
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward with a legend that reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing forward, with a legend that reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1083
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1083
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Winfield Scott facing left. Legend reads: MAJOR GENL. WINFD. SCOTT.
Reverse: Fasces topped with a “Liberty Cap,” surrounded by six flags, with a plaque that reads: CHIPPEWA/LUNDY’s LANE/VERA CRUZ/& MEXICO. The legend reads: A GALLANT & SKILLFUL HERO. THE PEOPLES CHOICE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
depicted
Scott, Winfield
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1305
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1305
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1828. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1828. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Andrew Jackson facing left. The legend reads: GENl ANDREW JACKSON.
Reverse: Two branches around the rim, the legend reads: THE NATION’S PRIDE.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1828
depicted
Jackson, Andrew
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1189
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1189
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward, the legend reads: GENERAL U. S. GRANT 1868.
Reverse: Bust of Schuyler Colfax facing forward, the legend reads: SCHUYLER COLFAX 1868.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
Colfax, Schuyler
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1070
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1070
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
This badge features a profile bust of a man in a uniform (likely George B. McClellan) facing left, and the rim of the shield is lined with 34 stars. Above the head of the man the legend reads: Union.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1136
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1136
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Ulysses S. Grant labeled GEN. U.S. GRANT.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1133
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1133
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1868. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer, and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods like campaign medals. This medal has a quote issued by Grant during the Overland Campaign of the Civil War.
Obverse: Bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing forward, the legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT.
Reverse: Legend reads: I PROPOSE TO FIGHT IT OUT ON THIS LINE IF IT TAKES ALL SUMMER.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1084
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1084
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
This badge features a profile bust of a man in a uniform (likely George B. McClellan) facing left, and the rim of the shield is lined with 34 stars. Above the head of the man the legend reads: Union.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1098
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1098
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
The Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut produced this token during the early 20th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, medals, coins, and tokens.
Obverse: Bust of George McClellan facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GEN. G. B. McCLELLAN, PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1541
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1541
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1848. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1848. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Zachary Taylor facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GEN ZACH: TAYLOR.
Reverse: Legend reads: FORT HARRISON/OKEE-CHO-BEE/PALO ALTO/RESACA DE LA PALMA/MONTEREY/BUENA VISTA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
depicted
Taylor, Zachary
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1214
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1214
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1861. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1861. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of George McClellan facing left. The legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL Geo B. McCLELLAN WAR OF 1861.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
depicted
McClellan, George B.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1223
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1223
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This shield-shaped badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
This badge features a profile bust of a man in a uniform (likely George B. McClellan) facing left, and the rim of the shield is lined with 34 stars. Above the head of the man the legend reads: Union.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1212
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1212
This badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1864. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign badges.
Obverse: Tintype photograph of Colonel Michael Corcoran, labeled Corcoran.
Reverse: Tintype photograph of Thomas Francis Meagher, labeled Meagher.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1095
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1095
This historical medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This historical medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 1860s. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Major General Anthony Wayne, facing ¾ left. The legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE BORN 1745 DIED 1796.
Reverse: Floral wreath around the edge. Legend reads: BRANDYWINE GERMANTOWN MONMOUTH STONY/ ALFRED S. ROBINSON’S HISTORICAL SERIES NO. 1
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
depicted
Wayne, Anthony
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1144
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1144
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1852. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals. This medal has a hole at the top so that it could be strung and worn.
Obverse: Bust of Winfield Scott facing left. The legend reads: MAJ. GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT.
Reverse: Legend reads: CHIPPEWA/ LUNDYS LANE/ CERRO GORDO /CONTRERAS/ CHURUBUSCO/ CHAPULTEPEC /MEXICO.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
depicted
Scott, Winfield
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1194
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1194
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1847. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This presidential campaign medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1847. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer that is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Zachary Taylor facing forward. Legend reads: MAJOR ZACHARY TAYLOR/ HERO OF PALO ALTO, RESACA DE LA PALMA, MONTEREY AND BUENA VISTA. 1847.
Reverse: Eagle with shield carrying an olive branch and three arrows. Legend reads: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1847.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1847
depicted
Taylor, Zachary
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1215
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1215
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1848. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut around 1848. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including campaign medals.
Obverse: Bust of Zachary Taylor in military dress facing right. The legend reads: MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.
Reverse: The legend reads: ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS/ IN THE YEAR 1848/ BY Wm. G. BROWN, IN THE CLERKS OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
depicted
Taylor, Zachary
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1575
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1575
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1868.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in 1868.The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
This medal’s design was done by Hugues Bovy of Geneva, Switzerland.
Obverse: Raised bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing left. The legend reads: GENERAL U.S. GRANT/ (1868) HUGUES BOVY FECIT GENEVE (SUISSE).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Grant, Ulysses S.
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1577
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1577

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