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.

Oil on canvas. Catalogue card reads: "Road between Belleau Wood and Château Thierry as it looked on July 1, 1918 when taken by men of the Second Division." Rubble and large wooden beam in foreground.
Description
Oil on canvas. Catalogue card reads: "Road between Belleau Wood and Château Thierry as it looked on July 1, 1918 when taken by men of the Second Division." Rubble and large wooden beam in foreground. A cart on the road surrounded by destroyed buildings, including an eight ring ladder reaching a second floor on the right, in background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
depicted
1918-06-1
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.35929
catalog number
35929
accession number
104470
Charcoal and ink wash on white board. The ruined village of Varennes, France is visible on the far side of a canal bordered by a wall. The buildings are shell-torn and debris spills out in to the road running beside the river.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash on white board. The ruined village of Varennes, France is visible on the far side of a canal bordered by a wall. The buildings are shell-torn and debris spills out in to the road running beside the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25860
catalog number
25860
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. Troops and army trucks pass over a small bridge. A sign posted on the bridge reads "Langsam Fahren" or "Drive Slowly". A large building sits atop a hill in the background of the scene.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. Troops and army trucks pass over a small bridge. A sign posted on the bridge reads "Langsam Fahren" or "Drive Slowly". A large building sits atop a hill in the background of the scene. Buildings line the road on the right side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25823
catalog number
25823
accession number
64592
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. In the foreground, a damaged bridge extends halfway across a river. Soldiers in the river are repairing the bridge. In the background, buildings line the far bank of the river.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. In the foreground, a damaged bridge extends halfway across a river. Soldiers in the river are repairing the bridge. In the background, buildings line the far bank of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25876
catalog number
25876
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white card stock. The center of the village of Varennes is destroyed. A soldier on a motorcycle and several vehicles pass along the main raid through the village.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white card stock. The center of the village of Varennes is destroyed. A soldier on a motorcycle and several vehicles pass along the main raid through the village.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25845
catalog number
25845
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. American army trucks and troops on a street leading through a village. Buildings on either side of street. The sketch is affixed to a larger piece of heavy cardboard.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. American army trucks and troops on a street leading through a village. Buildings on either side of street. The sketch is affixed to a larger piece of heavy cardboard. A label under the sketch, on the larger cardboard mount, reads: "AMERICAN TRUCKS IN A SIDE STREET/MONTABAUR/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2965."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25807
catalog number
25807
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a street scene, with people milling about and buildings on either side of the street.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a street scene, with people milling about and buildings on either side of the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25886
catalog number
25886
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper of a road leading through shell-torn countryside. Denuded trees on either side of road. There are several forms lying on the road in the foreground--possibly soldiers or horses. Stark and lifeless.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of a road leading through shell-torn countryside. Denuded trees on either side of road. There are several forms lying on the road in the foreground--possibly soldiers or horses. Stark and lifeless.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25849
catalog number
25849
accession number
64592
Oil on canvas. Painting of a large church with extensive damage. Large church with a sevearly damaged roof and bell tower in right background. A series of smaller builings with extensive damage in left background.
Description
Oil on canvas. Painting of a large church with extensive damage. Large church with a sevearly damaged roof and bell tower in right background. A series of smaller builings with extensive damage in left background. A troop of soldiers pass in front the church on a high road in right background. One soldier is riding a bicycle. Catalogue card reads "Flirey. In the St. Mihiel [sic] sector. A spot well known to American soldiers situated at a cross roads where its ruined church tower was a conspicuous landmark for miles around."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.35933
catalog number
35933
accession number
104470
Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.Currently not on view
Description
Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25802
catalog number
25802
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background.
Description
Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background. The street is lined with business signs; an English one reads: "American Postal [illegible] Station." The other signs are in different languages.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25874
catalog number
25874
accession number
64592
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25803
catalog number
25803
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end. There is a label attached to the bottom center of the sketch that reads: "MAKING NETS AND CAMOUFLAGE MATERIAL/Central Camouflage Depot at Dijon/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/3004."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25846
catalog number
25846
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25811
catalog number
25811
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a lock on the Rhone Canal in German Alsace. A German village is visible on the left. A Chauchat gun emplacement manned by two allied soldiers is on the right.Currently not on view
Description
Ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a lock on the Rhone Canal in German Alsace. A German village is visible on the left. A Chauchat gun emplacement manned by two allied soldiers is on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25795
catalog number
25795
accession number
64592
Ink wash and charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts the Château de Sedan, a castle in Sedan, France, while it was used as a German military hospital during World War I.
Description
Ink wash and charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts the Château de Sedan, a castle in Sedan, France, while it was used as a German military hospital during World War I. The foreground of the drawing is dominated by a large cross in a circle which appears to have been cut in to the grass on the ground. The castle is shown behind the cross, with a flag, likely a hospital flag, flying on one of its peaked roofs.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25868
catalog number
25868
accession number
64592
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a ruined church spire atop a hill in Flirey, France. Troops and army trucks are in the road near the remains of a communicating trench in the foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a ruined church spire atop a hill in Flirey, France. Troops and army trucks are in the road near the remains of a communicating trench in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25827
catalog number
25827
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch depicts an American soldier seen through the supports of a trench.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch depicts an American soldier seen through the supports of a trench.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25851
catalog number
25851
accession number
64592
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing is a view of the River Marne near Jaulgonne, France during World War I. Men are working on a hydraulic mill in the foreground of the work.
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing is a view of the River Marne near Jaulgonne, France during World War I. Men are working on a hydraulic mill in the foreground of the work. Several buildings with shell damage are shown in the background on the banks of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-01
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25881
catalog number
25881
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash drawing on white paper. The sketch is a view of a village on the Alzette River in Luxembourg during World War I. A church spire frames the right foreground of the drawing.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash drawing on white paper. The sketch is a view of a village on the Alzette River in Luxembourg during World War I. A church spire frames the right foreground of the drawing. There are two bridges spanning the river: a small one in the bottom foreground and a large one in the distance. A steep bluff abuts the town on the left, and hills are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25895
catalog number
25895
accession number
64592
Oil on canvas. Painting of damaged buildings. Large severly damged buildings in background. A building, possibly a church, has part of its tower remaining in left background. A building with a open doorway and no roof in right background.
Description
Oil on canvas. Painting of damaged buildings. Large severly damged buildings in background. A building, possibly a church, has part of its tower remaining in left background. A building with a open doorway and no roof in right background. Three soldiers rest near the open door way. A soldier, facing away from the viewer, is carrying a gun on his back in left foreground. Catalogue card reads "Seicheprey. In the front lines where the first gas attack was launched against men of the 26th Division in the spring of 1918."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.35932
catalog number
35932
accession number
104470
Mixed media sketch on paper. In the sketch, a column of troops advances down a road that runs from the left background to the right foreground. The landscape behind the troops shows the effects of the war.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. In the sketch, a column of troops advances down a road that runs from the left background to the right foreground. The landscape behind the troops shows the effects of the war. A piece of equipment appears to be stuck on the side of the road on the left side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-26
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25892
catalog number
25892
accession number
64592
Oil on canvas. Three soldiers climb a hill in front of large buildings with varying levels of damange in center background. The largest building has a turret with a cone shaped roof. A wooden frame of a builing, with no roof, in left background.
Description
Oil on canvas. Three soldiers climb a hill in front of large buildings with varying levels of damange in center background. The largest building has a turret with a cone shaped roof. A wooden frame of a builing, with no roof, in left background. Three soldiers run along a road in right background. A fire burns in the distance in center foreground. A wooden post sticks out of the ground in left foreground. Catalogue card reads "Scene of fierce fighting in the -- phase of the Argonne offensive."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.35931
catalog number
35931
accession number
104470
Charcoal sketch on paper of German dugouts and shelters built on the side of a hill near Varennes, France. Shell-torn buildings are visible at the top of the hill at center. Railroad tracks run next to the hill at right.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of German dugouts and shelters built on the side of a hill near Varennes, France. Shell-torn buildings are visible at the top of the hill at center. Railroad tracks run next to the hill at right. On the left at the top of a set of stairs is apparently a makeshift cemetery with several crosses for gravestones. People can be seen walking among the various shelters and dugouts on the hill.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25834
catalog number
25834
accession number
64592

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