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.

Purple Hearts" series; handwritten on verso "Pfc. Randall Clunen, 19, of the 101st Airborne Division, was wounded December 8, 2003 in Tal Afar, Iraq when a suicide car bomber broke U.S. security lines. The explosion sent shrapnel into Clunen's face, neck and body.
Description (Brief)
Purple Hearts" series; handwritten on verso "Pfc. Randall Clunen, 19, of the 101st Airborne Division, was wounded December 8, 2003 in Tal Afar, Iraq when a suicide car bomber broke U.S. security lines. The explosion sent shrapnel into Clunen's face, neck and body. / Photographed at his home in Salem, Ohio. / February 14, 2004 / From the Purple Hearts Series
Location
Currently not on view
date printed
2021
date made
2004-02-14
maker
Berman, Nina
ID Number
2021.0057.0004
accession number
2021.0057
catalog number
2021.0057.0004
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date printed
2021
date made
2006-08-27
maker
Berman, Nina
ID Number
2021.0057.0039
catalog number
2021.0057.0039
accession number
2021.0057
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date printed
2021
date made
2008-02-20
maker
Berman, Nina
ID Number
2021.0057.0029
accession number
2021.0057
catalog number
2021.0057.0029
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Phrynosoma regale [Girard] and Doliosaurus m’callii [Girard]”—now "Phrynosoma solare" (Regal horned lizard) and "Phrynosoma mcallii" (Flat–tail horned lizard); from one or more original illustrations by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was published as Plate 28 in the “Reptiles” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by S.F. Baird (1823–1887). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Phrynosoma regale [Girard] and Doliosaurus m’callii [Girard]”—now "Phrynosoma solare" (Regal horned lizard) and "Phrynosoma mcallii" (Flat–tail horned lizard); from an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 28 in the “Reptiles” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by S.F. Baird (1823–1887). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
author
Baird, Spencer Fullerton
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Army
ID Number
2009.0115.062
catalog number
2009.0115.062
accession number
2009.0115
Physical DescriptionSong and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett.
Description
Physical Description
Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett. Gilt title on maroon boards, 192 pp.
General History
The Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, Army and Navy, edited by Ivan Loveridge Bennett, features prayers, hymns, and patriotic songs used in various military ceremonies and religious services.
date made
1942
printer
U.S. Government Printing Office
ID Number
1982.0372.01
accession number
1982.0372
catalog number
1982.0372.01
Physical DescriptionMetal with engraving.General HistoryA gorget is an ornamental plate that adorns the neck. Gorgets and printed testimonials were among the items given to Indian allies.
Description
Physical Description
Metal with engraving.
General History
A gorget is an ornamental plate that adorns the neck. Gorgets and printed testimonials were among the items given to Indian allies.
date made
1760
ID Number
1980.0399.1428
accession number
1980.0399
catalog number
1980.0399.1428
maker
Deringer, Jr., Henry
ID Number
AF.222303
accession number
41356
catalog number
222303
Physical DescriptionInk on paper.Specific HistoryOath of allegiance certificate for John Mathia, 1778.General HistoryNeeds to be re-written.Currently not on view
Description
Physical Description
Ink on paper.
Specific History
Oath of allegiance certificate for John Mathia, 1778.
General History
Needs to be re-written.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1778
associated date
1778 01
recipient
Splitner, John M.
issuer
United States of America Committee
maker
United States of America Committee
ID Number
AF.73518M
catalog number
73518M
accession number
286278
Physical DescriptionForged steel.General HistoryAmerican-made curved blade cavalry saber. Curved blade sabers were generally used as a slashing and hacking weapon.
Description
Physical Description
Forged steel.
General History
American-made curved blade cavalry saber. Curved blade sabers were generally used as a slashing and hacking weapon.
Date made
1775 - 1780
ID Number
1994.0370.02
catalog number
1994.0370.02
accession number
1994.0370
licensee
Thompson
maker
Auto-Ordnance Corporation
ID Number
AF.76531M
catalog number
76531M
accession number
304325
serial number
60886
ID Number
1986.0052.07
catalog number
1986.0052.07
accession number
1986.0052
Physical DescriptionFrench silver-hilted officer's small sword with silvered guard and knuckle bow.Specific HistoryThis artifact is part of the large collection of firearms and militaria from the Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson collection.Brem Jackson (1910-1979) was by all accounts
Description
Physical Description
French silver-hilted officer's small sword with silvered guard and knuckle bow.
Specific History
This artifact is part of the large collection of firearms and militaria from the Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson collection.
Brem Jackson (1910-1979) was by all accounts a modest and intensely private individual. He was unknown as a collector to neighbors and other military connoisseurs. Born in New York, he was raised with a French governess who told him stories of the Napoleonic Era and instilled in him an early fascination for the French emperor.
His family moved to Florence, Italy, for 14 years. While there he studied and became fluent in French, German, and Italian. While traveling Europe, touring battlefields and military cemeteries, he began collecting and making miniature model soldiers. After World War II, he moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where his collection further grew with the addition of original uniforms. He collected enough antique gear and uniforms to field a small army. He began but never completed cataloging his collection of items ranging in date from Classical Greece through World War I and housed in a large barn known locally as "Brem's Place." The barn, wagon shed, and ship studio contained not only the collection but also a master craftsman's studio and forge and an outstanding military reference library. From here Jackson gathered, restored, and researched his world-class holdings of militaria. He had an underground firing range on the property and occasionally even fired off cannons outside the barn. Although he occasionally corresponded with the Smithsonian's curators of military history, he never met with them and gave no notice of his intended bequest to the nation.
Much of his collection was part of a large bequest to the Smithsonian at his death in 1979.
General History
This type of sword was used by both French and American officers during the American Revolution.
Date made
1750-1770
ID Number
1980.0399.0227
accession number
1980.0399
catalog number
1980.0399.0227
Physical DescriptionFolding camp stool with wooden frame and leather seat.Specific HistoryGeorge Washington's camp stool used during the Revolutionary War.General HistoryWhen Washington encamped with his army, the troops carred tents, a collapsible bed, folding tables, camp stool
Description
Physical Description
Folding camp stool with wooden frame and leather seat.
Specific History
George Washington's camp stool used during the Revolutionary War.
General History
When Washington encamped with his army, the troops carred tents, a collapsible bed, folding tables, camp stools, and bags and trunks filled with equipment. Two sets of camp chests were purchased by Washington on 3 May 1776. Another set was captured from a British ship and sent to Washington in October 1778. By 1782, Washington's camp equipment was so extensive that he requested from Quartermaster Timothy Pickering two horses just to carry the load.
user
Washington, George
ID Number
AF.79371M
catalog number
79371M
accession number
319870
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0219
catalog number
2013.0327.0219
accession number
2013.0327
Physical DescriptionBlack wool felt. Red and white cotton braid trim.Specific HistoryThis particular hat is from the War Department collection, and is in unissued condition. It conforms to specifications within close tolerances and carries the maker label "W.H Hurlbut/Contract?
Description
Physical Description
Black wool felt. Red and white cotton braid trim.
Specific History
This particular hat is from the War Department collection, and is in unissued condition. It conforms to specifications within close tolerances and carries the maker label "W.H Hurlbut/Contract? Sept. 29th 1890./737 Broadway, New York" on the inner side fo the 1 3/4 inch sweat. The edge of the brim carries three rows of stitching. The hat cord also conforms to the specifications.
General History
In 1866 the Congress in reestablishing the peace-time Army authorized the President "To enlist and employ in the Territories and Indian country a force of Indians, not to exceed 1000, to act as scouts, who shall receive the pay and allowances of cavalry soldiers, and to be discharged whenever the necessity for their employment is abated...."
As of October 1868 there were 412 such scouts in the service. Over the years these scouts were enlisted for periods varying from three months to six years, the greater majority being for six months (this latter period later becoming the allowable maximun) and receiving in addition to pay and allowances forty cents a day extra if they furnished their own horse and horse equipment.
In the later winter of 1889 - 1890 Lt. E. W. Casey, 22nd Infantry, commanding a company of scouts at Fort Keogh, Montana, conceived the idea of a distinctive uniform for the scouts to attract them to the service and improve morale. When the concept was approved, Casey submitted his recommendations in detail including a variant campaign hat, hat cord, insignia, overcoat, and guidon, plus a distinctive facing for the issue dress coat. The Secretary of War approved and directed the Quartermaster General to initiate procurement. The hat and trimmings were described in Circular No. 10, Headquarters of the Army, 11 August 1890:
Fatigue Hat: Of black felt, brim 3 1/2 inches wide, crown 3 1/2 inches high; brim to be well stiffened.
Hat Cord: Of white worsted cord, one strand of scarlet, terminating in two tassels 1 1/4 inches in length, same color and material as the cord.
Hat Ornament: Two arrows crossed, to be made of nickel or some white metal, 3 inches in length, the letters U.S.S. in the upper intersection."
from United States Army Headgear 1855-1902. Catalog of United States Army Uniforms in the Collections of the Smithsonian Institutuion, II by Edgar M. Howell, Smithsonian Instiutiton, 1975.
Date made
1890-1899
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83548W47
catalog number
64127.02
accession number
64127
Physical DescriptionUnited States M-1 rifle.Specific HistoryThis is one of the rifles used by the National Guardsmen at Kent State, Ohio on 4 May 1970.General HistoryKent State University came into the international spotlight on 4 May 1970.
Description
Physical Description
United States M-1 rifle.
Specific History
This is one of the rifles used by the National Guardsmen at Kent State, Ohio on 4 May 1970.
General History
Kent State University came into the international spotlight on 4 May 1970. During a protest by students against the Vietnam War, a contingent of 28 Ohio National Guardsmen fired for 13 seconds. The rifle fire left four students dead, one permanently paralyzed, and eight others wounded. Many of the students were walking to and from class. Not every student was involved in the demonstration. The closest student wounded was 30 yards away from the Guard, while the farthest was almost 250 yards away.
associated dates
1970-05-04
user
Ohio National Guard
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
1987.0381.10
catalog number
1987.0381.10
accession number
1987.0381
serial number
2646119
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.35635E
catalog number
035635E
accession number
97652
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
Garand, John C.
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.84469M
catalog number
84469M
accession number
1978.0623
General HistoryThe uniform of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry (Duryée's Zouaves), 1861, consisted of a distinctive jacket, vest, sash, baggy trousers, and fez.
Description
General History
The uniform of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry (Duryée's Zouaves), 1861, consisted of a distinctive jacket, vest, sash, baggy trousers, and fez. The Zouave uniform adopted on both sides by many volunteer units during the first year of the Civil War was based on that of the elite Zouave battalion of the French Army, whose dashing appearance matched its fighting abilities. In their turn, the French Zouaves modeled their uniform and drill after the native dress and fearless tactics of their former Algerian opponents, encountered in the course of the colonial war of the 1830s.
ID Number
AF.24954.01
accession number
64127
catalog number
24954.01
Women's Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) uniform from World War I, consisting of hat, coat, shirtwaist, tie, skirt, and insignia. Coat and skirt are olive green wool gabardine, shirt is white dimity, hat is blue cotton, and tie is blue silk.
Description
Women's Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) uniform from World War I, consisting of hat, coat, shirtwaist, tie, skirt, and insignia. Coat and skirt are olive green wool gabardine, shirt is white dimity, hat is blue cotton, and tie is blue silk. Metal "U.S." insignia on coat lapel and cloth "J.W.B." patch with Star of David background on shouler and hat. Donated by the Jewish Welfare Board through The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
The Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was organized shortly after America’s entry into World War I, consolidating religious groups in the Jewish community to become an official agency to work with the War Department through its Commission on Training Camp Activities. It was modeled after the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Knights of Columbus, and other organizations that in World War I adapted military-like uniforms for women and men volunteers. The JWB built buildings and stocked libraries on army installations and distributed books, articles, Bibles, and prayer books supplied through its affiliation with the Jewish Publication Society. It established community branches in the “second line of defense,” by supporting Jewish workers in the shipyards, arsenals, and other military plants and factories, as well as hospitals and universities where the government had taken over under military regulations. Following the Armistice, under direction of the Navy Department, the JWB transferred its peacetime work to veteran’s hospitals and enlarged Jewish community centers.
associated date
1914-1918
ID Number
1998.0165.25.01
catalog number
1998.0165.25.01.01
1998.0165.25.01.02
accession number
1998.0165
catalog number
1998.0165.25.01
This bowie knife was found on the battlefield of Perryville, Kentucky.It is claimed that the bowie knife was designed by Rezin Bowie, the brother of James Bowie, and made by blacksmith James Black. The blade, made of steel, was up to 14 inches long.
Description
This bowie knife was found on the battlefield of Perryville, Kentucky.
It is claimed that the bowie knife was designed by Rezin Bowie, the brother of James Bowie, and made by blacksmith James Black. The blade, made of steel, was up to 14 inches long. Its shape enabled the cowboy or mountain man to skin or disembowel an animal. In general, the bowie is usually classified as any large knife with a clip point. It was popular from the 1840s through 1865 and used by United States troops during the Mexican War and on the frontier during the disturbances in Kansas and Missouri in the 1850s. During the Civil War, it was popular with Confederate soldiers, whose arms generally were inferior.
Associated Date
1862
ID Number
AF.32398
catalog number
32398
accession number
68826
Physical DescriptionIron fife.Specific HistoryThis fife from the period of the American Revolution was unearthed on Red Bank battleground in 1800 near the New Jersey Monument.General HistoryA fife is a small transverse flute, pitched to B-flat.
Description
Physical Description
Iron fife.
Specific History
This fife from the period of the American Revolution was unearthed on Red Bank battleground in 1800 near the New Jersey Monument.
General History
A fife is a small transverse flute, pitched to B-flat. There are six holes and no keys.
"The drum and fife regulated the Revolutionary War soldier's life. By commands of music, the soldier was notified when to awake in the mornings, when to attend drill, when to stop for meals, and when to report for pay. While on the march, music assisted with cadence and order, helping men to march in time. Music encouraged soldiers to press a march or attack with vigor."
"Orders were also given using whistles, blowing horns, and bagpipes. Music and songs in camp lifted soldiers' spirits following exhausting duty. They helped build fellowship in the regiments."
"Drums have been used to convey commands since ancient times. They provide distinct sounds that can be heard for great distances. The drum was the very voice and tongue of the commander. After the adoption of firearms, the fife came into use. Its peculiar piercing sound transcended the noise of men and gunfire, and added melody to the drumbeats. By the Revolution, armies had adopted a system of commands given by the drum and fife, which could rapidly communicate orders to whole armies at one time."
From National Park Service Collections American Revolutionary War: Guilford Courthouse.
ID Number
AF.58146M
catalog number
58146M
accession number
204703
licensee
Sharps, Christian
ID Number
AF.32687
catalog number
32687
accession number
69413
patentee
Browning, John M.
maker
GM Corporation, Saginaw Steering Gear Division
ID Number
AF.66807M
catalog number
66807M
accession number
235947

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