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.

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue circle in the center of the flag. Three-piece construction. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Div'n 1st Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue circle in the center of the flag. Three-piece construction. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Div'n 1st Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25232N
catalog number
25232N
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue triangles forming each corner. The edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. A red St. Andrew's cross (or X) is in the center of the flag.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with blue triangles forming each corner. The edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. A red St. Andrew's cross (or X) is in the center of the flag. On the upper edge of the flag, to the left of the fly, is a patch repair. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "4th Brg 1st Div 6 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25228H
catalog number
25228H
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white five-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div. 20thArmy Corps R.C. Toy 49 N.9th Phila."Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white five-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div. 20thArmy Corps R.C. Toy 49 N.9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250I
catalog number
25250I
accession number
64127
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with yellow fringe on all edges of the flag except for the hoist. There are two blue stripes the cross diagonally where at the fork in the swallowtail. A white number "17" applique surmounts the blue stripes.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with yellow fringe on all edges of the flag except for the hoist. There are two blue stripes the cross diagonally where at the fork in the swallowtail. A white number "17" applique surmounts the blue stripes. Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white thread. White canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "Chief Q.M. 15 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25247C
catalog number
25247C
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with pie-shaped red triangles forming the three corners. The edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. In the center of the flag is a white fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross).
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with pie-shaped red triangles forming the three corners. The edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. In the center of the flag is a white fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 4th Brg 19th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249EE
catalog number
25249EE
accession number
64127
Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with a white four-pointed star in the center of the flag. The number "1" is painted in black in the center of the star. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets.
Description
Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with a white four-pointed star in the center of the flag. The number "1" is painted in black in the center of the star. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div 19 Army Corps [illegible]." The flag is machine stitched.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
design date
before 1863
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249A
catalog number
25249A
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a green shield in the center of the flag. Inside the shield is a white anchor surmounted by a red or brown cannon. The cannon and anchor are diagonally crossed. Each corner of the flag forms a pie-shaped blue triangle.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a green shield in the center of the flag. Inside the shield is a white anchor surmounted by a red or brown cannon. The cannon and anchor are diagonally crossed. Each corner of the flag forms a pie-shaped blue triangle. The edges of the triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. White hoist with an inscription that reads "4th Brg 4th Div 9 Army Corps [illegible]."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25270M
catalog number
25270M
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with a black cartridge box in the center of the flag. On the front flap of the cartridge box is a yellow oval, or plate, with the letters "U.S." Above the cartridge box, in black letters, is written "FORTY ROUNDS" in an arc.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Red field with a black cartridge box in the center of the flag. On the front flap of the cartridge box is a yellow oval, or plate, with the letters "U.S." Above the cartridge box, in black letters, is written "FORTY ROUNDS" in an arc. White hoist with an inscription reading "1st Div 15 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25245D
catalog number
25245D
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a wide blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a red applique of two crossed swords. A blue or black number "3" is painted on top of the crossed swords. White cotton hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a wide blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a red applique of two crossed swords. A blue or black number "3" is painted on top of the crossed swords. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The hoist has an inscription on each side; one side reads "3rd Brg. 1st Div. Cavalry. Command." and the reverse side reads "R C Toy 49 N 9th St. Phila Pa." The flag has machine-stitched flat-felled panel seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25260E
catalog number
25260E
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red diamond in center of flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the edge of these triangles that face the diamond is curved. The triangle on the fly corner is much smaller than those on the hoist. White cotton hoist.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red diamond in center of flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the edge of these triangles that face the diamond is curved. The triangle on the fly corner is much smaller than those on the hoist. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat felled seams. White and blue threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div'n 4th Brg 3rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25234G
catalog number
25234G
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a red five-point star. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div. 2nd Brg. 20th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a red five-point star. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div. 2nd Brg. 20th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250F
catalog number
25250F
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag there is a blue six-point star. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Br. 3rd Div. 8 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag there is a blue six-point star. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Br. 3rd Div. 8 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25238P
catalog number
25238P
accession number
64127
Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal triband design. Top and bottom band are blue; the middle band is white. In the center of the middle band is a black painted number "2" cotton applique. White cotton canvas hoist without grommets.
Description
Pre-1863 design. Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal triband design. Top and bottom band are blue; the middle band is white. In the center of the middle band is a black painted number "2" cotton applique. White cotton canvas hoist without grommets. The hoist has an inscription that reads "1st Div 2nd Brg 19 Army Corps Prior to 1863." Machine stitching throughout the flag.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
design date
before 1863
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249C
catalog number
25249C
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue six-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg 3rd Div. 8 Army Corps...[illegible]."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue six-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg 3rd Div. 8 Army Corps...[illegible]."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25238O
catalog number
25238O
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on the hoist edge. Blue square machine-stitched in the middle of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on the hoist edge. Blue square machine-stitched in the middle of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Brg 3rd Div 25th Army Corps." Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams. Hand-stitching at fly and on edge of hoist.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25255Q
catalog number
25255Q
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red corners. The edges of the corner triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. There is a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscriptions on hoist read "4th Brg.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red corners. The edges of the corner triangles that face the center of the flag are convex. There is a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscriptions on hoist read "4th Brg. 3rd Div'n 5 Army Corps" and "R.C. Toy No. 47 N. 9th Phila/Contract May 17, 1890".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25236R
catalog number
25236R
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue pentagonal cross--either applique or insert. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue pentagonal cross--either applique or insert. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila 22 Army Corps 3rd Brg 3rd Div".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252P
catalog number
25252P
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a wide yellow border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is a black cotton cartridge box with a yellow wool oval on the front flap.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a wide yellow border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is a black cotton cartridge box with a yellow wool oval on the front flap. Painted in black in the oval are the letters "U.S" (there is no period after the "S"). White contrast stitching outlines the cartridge box. Above the cartridge box, written in an arc, is the phrase "FORTY ROUNDS" painted in white letters. Flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton thread. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Stamped on the hoist is the inscription "[illegible] Brg 3rd Div 15 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25245O
catalog number
25245O
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. The white cotton hoist does not have grommets; there is a blue thread that runs the length of the heading. Machine-stitched. Inscriptions on hoist read "R.C. Toy No.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. The white cotton hoist does not have grommets; there is a blue thread that runs the length of the heading. Machine-stitched. Inscriptions on hoist read "R.C. Toy No. 47 N 9th Phila" and "1st Brg. 3rd Div'n 5 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25266F
catalog number
25266F
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. Red border around all three sides of the flag. The white hoist does not have grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div'n 5 Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue Maltese cross in the center of the flag. Red border around all three sides of the flag. The white hoist does not have grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div'n 5 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25266H
catalog number
25266H
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue trefoil, or clover, in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched using cotton black and white thread. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div 2nd Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue trefoil, or clover, in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched using cotton black and white thread. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div 2nd Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25233O
catalog number
25233O
accession number
64127
Swallowtail flag. Blue field with three applique white stars near hoist. Red union, next to hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; the third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist.
Description
Swallowtail flag. Blue field with three applique white stars near hoist. Red union, next to hoist, with three crossed white stripes. Two of the stripes form a saltire; the third stripe of equal width, called a pale, vertically bisects the saltire. White hoist. The flag is stitched with white, tan, and blue threads. Machine stitching. Inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 3rd Div. 14th Army Corps Dept. of / Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244M
catalog number
25244M
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div. 1st Brg. 20th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div. 1st Brg. 20th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250J
catalog number
25250J
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a green St. Andrew's cross in the center of the flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the sides of the triangles facing the cross is convex. White cotton hoist with twill tape tabs on each end. Machine stitching.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a green St. Andrew's cross in the center of the flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the sides of the triangles facing the cross is convex. White cotton hoist with twill tape tabs on each end. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist: "4th Brg Lt Div 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228W
catalog number
25228W
accession number
64127

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.