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.

A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor drawing on paper of a road between Jaulgonne and Mount St. Pierre, France, during the Second Battle of the Marne on July 22, 1918. Depicted are two ammunition trucks driving along the war torn road.
Description
A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor drawing on paper of a road between Jaulgonne and Mount St. Pierre, France, during the Second Battle of the Marne on July 22, 1918. Depicted are two ammunition trucks driving along the war torn road. The truck at the back is partially obscured by fog or smoke in the background. On the right, a dead American soldier is lying on the side of the road next to a tree stump. His helmet is lying in the middle of the road. On the left, an American soldier is kneeling on the side of the road by a wooden cross. An explosion of yellow, red, and black smoke rises into the air behind him. Written at the bottom by the artist in pencil is: "Sketch. The road between / Jacqluer [sic] & Mont St. Pierre / on the Marne. July 22, / 1918. / One of Col. [illegibile]s Racehorses / These ammunitions trucks went / where ambulances could not and / served the double purpose of ammunitions / carriers and ambulances."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.67523M
catalog number
67523M
accession number
229290
Unknown artist, about 1894“Cheyenne Picture. Warrior Killing a Soldier.”Ink and watercolorThis drawing shows the victory of a Cheyenne warrior over a U.S. Army soldier.
Description
Unknown artist, about 1894
“Cheyenne Picture. Warrior Killing a Soldier.”
Ink and watercolor
This drawing shows the victory of a Cheyenne warrior over a U.S. Army soldier. The artist depicts the warrior counting coup on his enemy by touching the fallen soldier with his riding whip (quirt). Counting coup - in this instance touching an adversary in battle - was considered an act of bravery that could gain war honors. This single event took place during a larger battle against many adversaries, as indicated by the large number of rifles at the left.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1875
date made
ca 1894
original artist
unknown
ID Number
GA.08111
accession number
1897.031963
catalog number
GA*08111
accession number
1897.31963
Gouache and oil on beige paper mounted flush on brown board. The drawing depicts an American supply train during World War I. The drawing shows two buildings with trees in the background. The large building is shell-torn.
Description
Gouache and oil on beige paper mounted flush on brown board. The drawing depicts an American supply train during World War I. The drawing shows two buildings with trees in the background. The large building is shell-torn. In the foreground, two supply carts are shown along with several supply bags at front right. An active scene, there are approximately nine soldiers wearing green uniforms standing around, sitting in the cart, and one on horseback. There is another soldier wearing blue on horseback entering from the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25645
catalog number
25645
accession number
64592
Pastel and watercolor drawing on paper of American soldiers advancing during the Second Battle of the Marne. Soldiers in uniform with guns and bayonets drawn advance up a hill that is covered in long grass with blue and red flowers.
Description
Pastel and watercolor drawing on paper of American soldiers advancing during the Second Battle of the Marne. Soldiers in uniform with guns and bayonets drawn advance up a hill that is covered in long grass with blue and red flowers. In the background at left is a cluster of trees, one of which has almost been cut in half and leans in the direction of the soldiers. In the background at right is a war torn village. The sky overhead is full of dark blue and gray clouds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.67520M
catalog number
67520M
accession number
229290
Unknown artist, about 1868“Drawing made by a Kiowa Indian”(Title given by collector Dr. Edward Palmer)Media: Pencil on paperThis Kiowa Indian drawing was likely prepared and collected in 1868 at the Kiowa and Comanche Agency in present-day Oklahoma.
Description
Unknown artist, about 1868
“Drawing made by a Kiowa Indian”
(Title given by collector Dr. Edward Palmer)
Media: Pencil on paper
This Kiowa Indian drawing was likely prepared and collected in 1868 at the Kiowa and Comanche Agency in present-day Oklahoma. Non-Indians were known to have offered paper and illustrating equipment to Plains Indians as early as the 1830s. The drawing displays a Kiowa warrior’s head and neck ornament (possibly a peace medal), and his leg sashes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1880
ca 1869
ca 1882
original artist
unknown
ID Number
2008.0175.51
catalog number
2008.0175.051
accession number
2008.0175
Charcoal, ink wash, and gouache drawing on beige textured paper. The work depicts refugees returning to a shell torn village in Hatton Chattel, France. Older men, women, children, sheep and a mule laden with clothing gather in front of a severely damaged building.
Description
Charcoal, ink wash, and gouache drawing on beige textured paper. The work depicts refugees returning to a shell torn village in Hatton Chattel, France. Older men, women, children, sheep and a mule laden with clothing gather in front of a severely damaged building. An American soldier is standing in the center of the drawing. In the foreground on the left, a man in dark clothes stands looking at the crowd.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25664
catalog number
25664
accession number
64592
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
maker
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25722
catalog number
25722
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
Charcoal, wash, and gouache drawing on card. The work depicts a street scene in Neufchâteau, France. A woman carrying a basket walks down in the road, facing the viewer. A church's tower dominates the background.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal, wash, and gouache drawing on card. The work depicts a street scene in Neufchâteau, France. A woman carrying a basket walks down in the road, facing the viewer. A church's tower dominates the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25669
catalog number
25669
accession number
64592
Charcoal, ink wash, and gouache on beige card. The work depicts a farm building in a village near Neufchâteau, France. The farm building is in good condition.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal, ink wash, and gouache on beige card. The work depicts a farm building in a village near Neufchâteau, France. The farm building is in good condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25648
catalog number
25648
accession number
64592
Koba aka Wild Horse (Kiowa),drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida"Indian Discovery of U.S. Cavalry"Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878Colored pencil, ink, and watercolorThe focus of this drawing by Koba is a Kiowa warrior coming down from his lookout hill.
Description
Koba aka Wild Horse (Kiowa),
drawn between 1875 and 1878 at Fort Marion, Florida
"Indian Discovery of U.S. Cavalry"
Collected by Richard Henry Pratt about 1878
Colored pencil, ink, and watercolor
The focus of this drawing by Koba is a Kiowa warrior coming down from his lookout hill. He carries a pair of field glasses (either a trade item or possibly taken from an enemy combatant) which assisted him in the discovery of the cavalry unit riding nearby. The Kiowa camp below is at rest; tribesmen welcome the scout's return and warning.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875-1878
original artist
Koba
ID Number
2008.0175.52
catalog number
2008.0175.052
accession number
2008.0175
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
AF.53012
catalog number
53012
accession number
187000
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. Buildings under construction at Is-sur-Tille, France during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. Buildings under construction at Is-sur-Tille, France during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25960
catalog number
25960
accession number
64592
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658T13
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1914 - 1918
ID Number
ZZ.RSN82658T15
Mixed media sketch on paper. Soldiers, horses, and wagons gathered in a courtyard in the town of Echternach, Luxembourg. Many of the soldiers are under a temporary structure on the left.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. Soldiers, horses, and wagons gathered in a courtyard in the town of Echternach, Luxembourg. Many of the soldiers are under a temporary structure on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25964
catalog number
25964
accession number
64592
Charcoal, crayon, and pastel drawing on heavy textured laid paper. The work depicts a destroyed German army dump at Cierges, France during World War I.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and pastel drawing on heavy textured laid paper. The work depicts a destroyed German army dump at Cierges, France during World War I. In the center of the drawing is a large crater in the ground surrounded by vehicle parts, trees, ammunition shells, and other debris. Several deceased German soldiers are lying in the foreground. Damaged buildings are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25756
catalog number
25756
accession number
64592
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Captain Easy comic strip shows the title character enjoying the fictitious Mediterranean Republic of Dizmaylia with his date, Lolita.
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Captain Easy comic strip shows the title character enjoying the fictitious Mediterranean Republic of Dizmaylia with his date, Lolita. He later discovers that she works for his enemies.
Leslie Turner (1899-1988) prepared freelance illustrations in Dallas in his early years. When he sold a cartoon to Judge, he moved to New York and began contributing to publications such as Redbook and Pictorial Review. In 1937 Turner took a job as an assistant to Roy Crane, creator of the Captain Easy newspaper strip, which was then called Wash Tubbs. Turner took over the strip in 1943 and continued to draw it, with some assistance from Walt Scott, until he retired in 1970.
Captain Easy, (1933-1988) an adventure strip originally called Wash Tubbs, starred an eccentric character named Washington Tubbs II. The Captain Easy character was included in a supporting role. In 1933 creator Roy Crane retitled the strip and remodeled it to highlight the new protagonist who joined the U.S. army during World War II, and later became a private detective.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-08-14
graphic artist
Turner, Leslie
publisher
NEA, Inc.
ID Number
GA.22332
catalog number
22332
accession number
277502
Oil and watercolor painting on paper of two American soldiers while off duty during World War I. The soldiers are in uniform and sitting on a cot.
Description
Oil and watercolor painting on paper of two American soldiers while off duty during World War I. The soldiers are in uniform and sitting on a cot. The soldier on the right is wearing his helmet, with his rifle (probably an M1903 Springfield) propped on the cot next to him, reading a newspaper. The soldier on the left is smoking a cigarette and looking at the viewer. His helmet and bag are hanging on the wall above his head and there is a canteen at his feet. Signed by the artist at bottom left, "Harvey Dunn, 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25712
catalog number
25712
accession number
64592
"Beetle Bailey" was created and continues to be drawn by Mort Walker (b. 1923). The comic strip centers around characters on Camp Swampy, a fictitious United States Army military post.
Description
"Beetle Bailey" was created and continues to be drawn by Mort Walker (b. 1923). The comic strip centers around characters on Camp Swampy, a fictitious United States Army military post. The main character, Beetle Bailey, is consistently lazy, drawing negative attention towards him and causing antics on the post. In this strip, the General is briefing his men on battle plans. He soon learns that asking his men for criticisms was the wrong plan.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
07/03/1966
graphic artist
Walker, Mort
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22601
catalog number
22601
accession number
277502
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. Soldiers in the Champs des Mars, World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and watercolor sketch on paper. Soldiers in the Champs des Mars, World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-03-25
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25962
catalog number
25962
accession number
64592
Charcoal, crayon, gouache, and blue wash drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. The work depicts American soldiers marching German ("Boche") prisoners of war (unarmed, in green uniforms) through a street in a recaptured village on the Marne.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, gouache, and blue wash drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. The work depicts American soldiers marching German ("Boche") prisoners of war (unarmed, in green uniforms) through a street in a recaptured village on the Marne. A woman is sitting inside one of the badly damaged buildings lining the street. Deceased German soldiers are lying on the ground in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
1918-07-01
1918-07-01
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25747
catalog number
25747
accession number
64592
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Beetle Bailey comic strip shows Beetle asking what the Chaplain thinks about sneaking naps after being told “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”Addison Morton "Mort" Walker (1923- ) was first published at age eleven, and soon afterward was
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing produced for the Beetle Bailey comic strip shows Beetle asking what the Chaplain thinks about sneaking naps after being told “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Addison Morton "Mort" Walker (1923- ) was first published at age eleven, and soon afterward was drawing a weekly cartoon for the Kansas City Journal. After U.S. Army service in World War II, Walker began drawing a cartoon named Spider for the Saturday Evening Post. King Features Syndicate later contracted with him for the related comic strip devoted to the character Beetle Bailey. Walker also wrote for Hi and Lois, considered to be a spin-off of Beetle Bailey. More recently Walker has drawn the strip with the help of his sons.
Beetle Bailey (1950- ), a private in the U.S. Army, is regularly looking for a way to avoid doing work. He is memorable because his eyes are always covered by a hat or helmet. The strip location originally took place on a college campus but after a year Walker reimagined the location of the strip as a U.S. Army base called "Camp Swampy," where the characters seem to be stationed in never-ending basic training.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-09-24
graphic artist
Walker, Mort
publisher
King Features Syndicate
ID Number
GA.22533
catalog number
22533
accession number
277502
This pen-and-ink drawing prepared for the Dan Flagg comic strip shows the title character and companions aboard a yacht in trouble during a storm. Flagg tries to calm the other passengers and announces the arrival of the U.S.
Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing prepared for the Dan Flagg comic strip shows the title character and companions aboard a yacht in trouble during a storm. Flagg tries to calm the other passengers and announces the arrival of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Don Sherwood (1930-2010) spent his youth preparing to be a comic artist and after serving as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War assisted on Terry and the Pirates. In 1963 he debuted his own strip, Dan Flagg, inspired by the U.S. Marine Corps. After Dan Flagg was canceled in 1967, Sherwood began drawing for Hanna-Barbera, Columbia Pictures, the comic book The Phantom, and The Flintstones comic strip.
Dan Flagg (1963-1967) was an adventure comic strip that premiered during the Vietnam War. As World War II had been a popular subject matter for comic strips in the 1940s, publishers thought that comic strips about the Vietnam War would be just as popular. However, though readers thought Dan Flagg was an entertaining character, increasing opposition to the Vietnam War prevented the strip from enjoying sufficient popularity. Dan Flagg was dropped by its syndicate in 1965 and canceled permanently in 1967.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966-07-24
publisher
Bell-McClure Syndicate
graphic artist
Sherwood, Don
author
Thomas, Jerry
ID Number
GA.22575
catalog number
22575
accession number
277502

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