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.

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch depicts the edge of a wooded area, with timber fortifications in the center of the scene. Hills and small houses in the background.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch depicts the edge of a wooded area, with timber fortifications in the center of the scene. Hills and small houses in the background. Belleau Wood was the scene of intense fighting between Allied soldiers and the German Army towards the end of the First World War.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26028
catalog number
26028
accession number
64592
Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows an American soldier standing in the foreground on the left. He is next to an elaborate cross on a hill, looking out over a village, which is in the background on the right.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows an American soldier standing in the foreground on the left. He is next to an elaborate cross on a hill, looking out over a village, which is in the background on the right. The Argonne forest was the site of a major battle during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26063
catalog number
26063
accession number
64592
A charcoal sketch on paper. This landscape shows Grandpre, France. In the foreground is a battleground with dugouts, barbed wire entanglements, and a bare tree on the left.
Description
A charcoal sketch on paper. This landscape shows Grandpre, France. In the foreground is a battleground with dugouts, barbed wire entanglements, and a bare tree on the left. Beyond the battleground are shell torn buildings, including a large church in the center that has some roof damage. The church is most likely the Église Saint-Médard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25989
catalog number
25989
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Sketch shows groups of American soldiers marching off into the distance between army motor trucks on a dirt road. The road is surrounded by large dead trees and barbed wire entanglements on either side. Rolling hills and fields in the distance.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Sketch shows groups of American soldiers marching off into the distance between army motor trucks on a dirt road. The road is surrounded by large dead trees and barbed wire entanglements on either side. Rolling hills and fields in the distance. The sky is very cloudy and dark with observation balloons floating in the distance.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26080
catalog number
26080
accession number
64592
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on brown paper mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of a railhead dump at Menil-la-Tour.
Description
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on brown paper mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of a railhead dump at Menil-la-Tour. Approximately nine men wearing blue, possibly French, are seen in the sketch all over the picture. Seven men are working around a tall pile of baled hay seen in the center of the sketch. Another two men are working on the right side, dragging a sheet. Several tall covered piles are seen besides the hay pile. Two flat cars are seen on the rails. Trash is seen in on the right side behind a lone tree. Behind the trash is a building.
The sketch is mostly colored, but it is not entirely sketched. The sky is colored blue. The tree and the grass are painted green. Other colors include light blue, red, and brown/pink for the ground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26058
catalog number
26058
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on yellow paper that is mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of an airplane shop with workers assembling airplanes at Romorantin.
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on yellow paper that is mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of an airplane shop with workers assembling airplanes at Romorantin. Approximately ten people are seen in the sketch working on three different planes. The two main planes in the sketch do not have wings attached, but the propeller and the cockpit has been built. Clerestory windows are seen in the shop along with several ceiling lamps hanging above the planes. Only a select few parts of the painting are colored in brown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25929
catalog number
25929
accession number
64592
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26059
catalog number
26059
accession number
64592
A charcoal and pastel sketch on paper of the Fourth Corps Headquarter sat Hesperange, Luxembourg during World War I. The scene is of a wide road leading through a village. Buildings on the left fly French and American flags.Currently not on view
Description
A charcoal and pastel sketch on paper of the Fourth Corps Headquarter sat Hesperange, Luxembourg during World War I. The scene is of a wide road leading through a village. Buildings on the left fly French and American flags.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25969
catalog number
25969
accession number
64592
Mixed media sketch on paper. French troops march over a bridge into Sedan, which was occupied by the Germans for most of World War I. The river is in the foreground, and the buildings of Sedan are in the background.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. French troops march over a bridge into Sedan, which was occupied by the Germans for most of World War I. The river is in the foreground, and the buildings of Sedan are in the background. The flag of France flies from several of the buildings and the bridge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11-17
1918-11-17
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26055
catalog number
26055
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch is of a room in the bishop's palace at Verdun, France during World War I. The focal point is a broken window in the center of the sketch. The rest of the room is also in disrepair.
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch is of a room in the bishop's palace at Verdun, France during World War I. The focal point is a broken window in the center of the sketch. The rest of the room is also in disrepair. Through the window is a view of the village of Verdun.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25999
catalog number
25999
accession number
64592
Pencil and watercolor sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. The sketch shows a telephone station trench-like structure in the foreground. There is an American soldier standing right outside of the station.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. The sketch shows a telephone station trench-like structure in the foreground. There is an American soldier standing right outside of the station. Behind them, there are barbed wire fences, and more American soldiers (one of which is one a horse). In the distant background, destroyed structures and fields are visible. Two barrage balloons and two clouds of smoke are floating in the sky above the scene.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-13
1918-09
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26004
catalog number
26004
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a damaged house on the corner of a street in Badonviller, France during World War I. The roof and one wall of the house are shell-torn, with structural elements, rafters, and the chimney visible from the street.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a damaged house on the corner of a street in Badonviller, France during World War I. The roof and one wall of the house are shell-torn, with structural elements, rafters, and the chimney visible from the street. Pairs of soldiers are walking past and gathered around the house.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25939
catalog number
25939
accession number
64592
This pencil sketch of the Rhine River was drawn at the close of World War I by one of the official American Expeditionary Forces soldier-artists. Reaching the Rhine was a major objective of the AEF during the war.
Description
This pencil sketch of the Rhine River was drawn at the close of World War I by one of the official American Expeditionary Forces soldier-artists. Reaching the Rhine was a major objective of the AEF during the war. The American occupation of the German city of Koblenz began in December 1918, after November's armistice.
In this sketch, the Rhine River is in the foreground. Across the river, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress sits atop a hill. This fortress served as the US Army's headquarters during the occupation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26041
catalog number
26041
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Hattonchatel, France. The town sits atop a hill; in the field below is a barbed wire fence.Currently not on view
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Hattonchatel, France. The town sits atop a hill; in the field below is a barbed wire fence.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25980
catalog number
25980
accession number
64592
Mixed media on paper. Sketch shows two buildings separated by trees. A handful of soldiers stand in front of the building on the right. There are also soldiers on the far right of the frame.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media on paper. Sketch shows two buildings separated by trees. A handful of soldiers stand in front of the building on the right. There are also soldiers on the far right of the frame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26025
catalog number
26025
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Field Number One at Issoudun, France. The busy airfield depicted here was part of a large training complex for the U.S. Air Service during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Field Number One at Issoudun, France. The busy airfield depicted here was part of a large training complex for the U.S. Air Service during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25984
catalog number
25984
accession number
64592
A charcoal sketch on paper of a war-torn area in the St. Mihiel Sector of combat during World War I. Several bare trees dominate the scene. Two American soldiers are resting by the tree on the right.
Description
A charcoal sketch on paper of a war-torn area in the St. Mihiel Sector of combat during World War I. Several bare trees dominate the scene. Two American soldiers are resting by the tree on the right. In the foreground, there is a trench with a wooden plank crossing on the right side. Several crosses, presumably marking graves, are in the background on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25981
catalog number
25981
accession number
64592
Colored sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. Sketch shows a barn on the right and some houses on the left separated by a dirt road in the foreground, and a village with a church in the background. There is a horse and a wagon in front of the barn.Currently not on view
Description
Colored sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. Sketch shows a barn on the right and some houses on the left separated by a dirt road in the foreground, and a village with a church in the background. There is a horse and a wagon in front of the barn.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-12
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26026
catalog number
26026
accession number
64592
A charcoal and watercolor color sketch on paper of Andilly, France. The sketch depicts a tree-lined canal and a few buildings lining the left side of the canal. A man in the center of the drawing is carrying a bucket in each hand.Currently not on view
Description
A charcoal and watercolor color sketch on paper of Andilly, France. The sketch depicts a tree-lined canal and a few buildings lining the left side of the canal. A man in the center of the drawing is carrying a bucket in each hand.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25905
catalog number
25905
accession number
64592
A color drawing that is slightly painted on gray paper mounted on brown card frame. The scene is of a night time attempt to conceal a motor train (presumably stopped) by hiding the motors in the trees and using tree branches.
Description
A color drawing that is slightly painted on gray paper mounted on brown card frame. The scene is of a night time attempt to conceal a motor train (presumably stopped) by hiding the motors in the trees and using tree branches. The train is seen to the right along a row of trees heading deep into the background. A road is to the left of the train, and two soldiers are seen deep in the road bringing branches to the train. To the left is a small steppe indicating that the road is in a ditch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
June 1918
1918-06
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25973
catalog number
25973
accession number
64592
Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige paper. The work depicts a cemetery with American graves at Ménil-la-Tour, France during World War I. There are several rows of graves, each marked with a cross.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige paper. The work depicts a cemetery with American graves at Ménil-la-Tour, France during World War I. There are several rows of graves, each marked with a cross. The graves have small mounds of earth in front of them and wreaths and American flags are sketched on most of the mounds. A barbed wire fence borders the cemetery in the left of the drawing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25914
catalog number
25914
accession number
64592
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch depicts a small village in France where American soldiers were billeted during World War I.
Description
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch depicts a small village in France where American soldiers were billeted during World War I. The Marne river, seen here in the right background, was
the line a German offensive in the spring and summer of 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25944
catalog number
25944
accession number
64592
Pencil and watercolor color sketch on paper. The work depicts the French village of Ménil-la-Tour during World War I. Soldiers, trucks, and horses populate the scene; a church steeple rises in the background.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and watercolor color sketch on paper. The work depicts the French village of Ménil-la-Tour during World War I. Soldiers, trucks, and horses populate the scene; a church steeple rises in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25916
catalog number
25916
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Sketch shows the ruins of a village on a hill. Smith calls this village "No Man's Land." There are two soldiers at the top of the hill. The street has multiple holes from shell fire.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Sketch shows the ruins of a village on a hill. Smith calls this village "No Man's Land." There are two soldiers at the top of the hill. The street has multiple holes from shell fire. The buildings have all been destroyed and are now without roofs and walls. Telephone pole at left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26016
catalog number
26016
accession number
64592

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