Military - Overview
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.
"Military - Overview" showing 118 items.
Page 1 of 12
"'[New] York,' in the Dewey Parade, North River, New York. Copyright 1899 by Strohmeyer & Wyman." [On envelope.] Active no. 22380 : photonegative, 1899
- Notes
- Currently stored in box 3.1.53 [61], moved from [212]. Associated number, 2768
- Date
- 1899
- 1900-1910
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- publishers
- Strohmeyer & Wyman
- Subject
- Dewey, George 1837-1917
- Local number
- RSN 16432
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
Remington 1871 Army Rolling Block Pistol
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .50 caliber center fire Remington 1871 Army pistol was made by the Remington Repeating Arms Co. It is a breech loading rolling block pistol. It has walnut grips and forend with a blue finish. The frame and trigger guard are casehardened.
- This pistol is stamped “REMINGTON’S ILION, N.Y.U.S.A” over top “PAT MAY 30. NOV. 15TH 1864. April 17TH 1866.” on the left side of the pistol. On the same side “S” and “P” are stamped. At the rear of the grip is a rectangular stamp, with script letters “LRS.” on the inside.
- History:
- The rolling block pistol was developed from the split breech carbine invented by Leonard Geiger. Remington Chief Designer Joseph Rider modified Geiger’s model to create the Rolling Block Pistol in 1866.
- The rolling block pistol was easy to use, reliable and accurate. Cock the hammer and slide the breech back for easy cartridge insertion. Then move the block forward. When the trigger is pulled, a projection rolls under the breech.
- There were five models made of the rolling block design. The Remington Model 1871 Army Pistol was the final design. In this Model, the trigger and guard were moved forward, and a spur was added behind the hammer for better grip. A firing pin retractor was added. This design, while sold to the U.S. Government for military use, was never sold to the military.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 159-160.
- Womack, G.S. “Remington Rolling Block Parts,” GS Womack.
.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1871
- maker
- Remington Arms Company, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1985.0783.03
- accession number
- 1985.0783
- catalog number
- 1985.0783.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
McCormick Type Ship's Pistol
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .67 caliber smoothbore flintlock U.S. Model 1799 McCormick-type Ship’s pistol has an unknown maker. The lock was made in Great Britain. It has a pin fastened stock, a gooseneck hammer, a holster pistol type side plate and belt hook.
- This pistol has “KETLAND” in script under the flash pan and “UNITED/STATES” stamped at the rear of the lockplate. It also has a raised “P” and “WNY” stamps. On the top of the barrel “US” and “MARSH” are stamped. On the left of the stock are the stamps “M.A.” and “V”.
- History:
- This pistol is a McCormick type. Robert McCormick was an Irishman who came to America and leased the Globe Mills in 1798 to produce firearms. He was contracted by the U.S. government for Muskets that same year. In 1799, he had another contract, but did not finish it because he was thrown in debtor’s prison in 1801. That contract was finished by an employee named James Haslett – who would move on to run the Virginia Manufactory. It is possible this particular pistol was made by McCormick because it is the same type that McCormick was producing.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 122.
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 100.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1800
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1987.0014.07
- catalog number
- 1987.0014.07
- accession number
- 1987.0014
- collector/donor number
- P104L
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Remington Naval Model 1865 Pistol
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .50 caliber smoothbore single shot rimfire pistol was made by Remington Arms Company. It has a rolling block breech, a spur type trigger, and walnut grips and forend.
- There is an anchor stamp on the barrel. On the side is “P./F.C.W”. The side plate is stamped “REMINGTONS ILION N.Y. U.S.A/PAT MAY 39 NOV 15TH 1864 April 17TH 1866”.
- History:
- The Remington Arms Company was established by Eliphalet Remington in 1816 when he purchased land at Steele’s Creek in New York. That same year, Eliphalet’s son produced the company’s first rifle. The Company stayed at that location until 1831 when it began expanding its business.
- Many different pistols and rifles made Remington famous. The rolling block pistol was one of them. It was developed from the split breech carbine invented by Leonard Geiger. Remington Chief Designer Joseph Rider modified Geiger’s model to create the Rolling Block in 1866.
- The rolling block pistol was easy to use, reliable and accurate. Cock the hammer and slide the breech back for easy cartridge insertion. Then move the block forward. When the trigger is pulled, a projection rolls under the breech.
- There were five models made of the rolling block design. This is the first model of Remington Rolling Block pistols.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 159.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1866
- unknown
- United States Navy
- maker
- Remington Arms Company
- ID Number
- 1989.0748.03
- catalog number
- 1989.0748.03
- accession number
- 1989.0748
- serial number
- 3181
- collector/donor number
- P102
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Brigadier General George Moore Smith and Staff, Camp Black, New York. Copyright 1898 by Strohmeyer & Wyman. [on negative] [Caption no. 20457 : half-stereo photonegative.]
- Notes
- Currently stored in box 3.1.49 [84]
- Date
- 1898
- 1890-1900
- 1890-1920
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- Strohmeyer & Wyman
- Subject
- Smith, George Moore
- Local number
- RSN 15949
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
----Regiment---the indomitable Col. Roosevelt and his valliant "Rough Riders," Montauk Point, L.I. Copyright 1902 by Underwood & Underwood. [on negative] [Active no. 22627 : non-stereo photonegative,] 1902
- Notes
- Currently stored in box 3.1.54 [69]
- Orig. no. 5938
- Date
- 1902
- 1900-1910
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- Subject
- Roosevelt, Theodore President 1858-1919
- Rough Riders
- Local number
- RSN 16515
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
"The victorious 'Texas' saluting the Admiral's Flagship Olympia'--Dewey's Naval Parade, New York. Copyright 1899 by Strohmeyer & Wyman." [on negative]. 24393 photonegative 1899
- Notes
- Currently stored in box 3.1.61 [125]
- Date
- 1899
- 1900-1910
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- Strohmeyer & Wyman
- Subject
- Dewey, George 1837-1917
- Local number
- RSN 17144
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
[Lau?]ghter--Cadets from West Point, Dewey Celebration, New York. Copyright 1899 by Strohmeyer & Wyman. [Active no. 436 : stereo photonegative,] 1899
- Notes
- Company catalog card included. Company accession no., 22382
- Currently stored in box 2.1.4 [86]
- Date
- 1899
- 1900-1910
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- Strohmeyer & Wyman
- American Stereoscopic Co
- Subject
- Dewey, George 1837-1917
- United States Military Academy
- Local number
- RSN 9322
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
Area of Barracks Military Academy. 5383 interpositive
- Notes
- Currently stored in box 3.2.50 [106]
- Date
- 1900-1910
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- Subject
- United States Military Academy
- Local number
- RSN 26664
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
Sword Presented to Judson Kilpatrick
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Brevet Major General Judson Kilpatrick by the Officers of the 3rd Cavalry Division of Mississippi
- Description
- West Point graduate Hugh Judson Kilpatrick was a controversial cavalry leader during the Civil War. He was notorious for reckless tactics (he was known as “Kill-Cavalry”) and for womanizing.
- The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. The fuller is long and flat, and extends almost to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in floral sprays in silver and gold chasing. On the obverse is a list of battles Kilpatrick participated in during the Civil War. The reverse of the blade features a "US" monogram, scroll designs, and military trophies. The grip of the sword is cylindrical and bears a banner engraved with the Latin motto, ""TUEBOR" / "I'll Secure Him"". The pommel is a cast of an eagle with one claw on a ball. The knuckle guard is a gold metal chain and connects to a horse's head about half way between the pommel and counterguard. The guard terminates in a small scroll design quillon. The counterguard features a cast of Kilpatrick riding a horse, surrounded by scroll designs and floral sprays.
- The scabbard bears three gold mounts. The first features a diamond encrusted "K" surrounded by two angels with horns, a floral wreath, and floral sprays, and a curtain. The second mount features a US shield with diamond encrusted stars wrapped in a belt and surrounded by laurel leaves. The drag bears floral sprays. An inscription “PRESENTED / TO / Brevet Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick. / BY THE / Officers of the 3d. Cavalry Division. / MILITARY DIVISION, MISSISSIPPI” is engraved between the first two mounts. There are three carrying rings on this scabbard, one on each side of the top mount and one on the right side of the middle mount.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1865
- recipient
- Kilpatrick, Judson
- maker
- Collins & Co.
- Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
- ID Number
- AF*10572
- catalog number
- 10572
- accession number
- 46071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
