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.

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
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1890 - 1897
ID Number
1983.0615.05
catalog number
1983.0615.05
accession number
1983.0615
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1898 06 25+ / 1898 06 25+, 1899 03 31- / 1899 03 31-
used date
1902 -
wearer
Gallagher, Michael F.
ID Number
1989.0167.02
catalog number
1989.0167.02
accession number
1989.0167
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1890
ID Number
NU.68.21.242
catalog number
68.21.242
accession number
276536
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
user
1898 01 01, 1901 12 31
used date
1890 - 1897
user
Dart, William C.
ID Number
1992.0436.04
catalog number
1992.0436.04
accession number
1992.0436
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1890 - 1897
user
Gscheidle, Frederick
ID Number
AF.72391M
catalog number
72391M
accession number
283647
Unknown artist, about 1894“Cheyenne Pictures. Standing Elk’s Horse Killed in Fight with Troops.”Pencil, ink, and watercolorThe central focus of this image is a wounded horse, bleeding from head and rump, being fired on by U.S. troops at the right.
Description
Unknown artist, about 1894
“Cheyenne Pictures. Standing Elk’s Horse Killed in Fight with Troops.”
Pencil, ink, and watercolor
The central focus of this image is a wounded horse, bleeding from head and rump, being fired on by U.S. troops at the right. Standing Elk, with his name glyph above him, has dismounted and appears to be safe from the rifle shots. The suggestion of concern by the warrior indicates the high value placed on horses by Plains tribesmen.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1894
original artist
unknown
ID Number
GA.08112
catalog number
GA*08112
accession number
1897.031963
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1895
Associated Date
1885 - 1902
user
Adams, James M.
ID Number
AF.70723M
catalog number
70723M
accession number
277915
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898
ID Number
NU.NU61864
catalog number
NU61864
accession number
210914
Unknown artist, about 1894“Cheyenne Pictures.
Description
Unknown artist, about 1894
“Cheyenne Pictures. High Wolf Kills a Shoshonee or Snake Indian.”
Pencil, colored pencil, ink and watercolor
This drawing shows a mounted warrior with a name glyph - a symbol for the personal name “High Wolf” - riding victoriously over a fallen Snake (Shoshone) warrior, identified by his shield. The artist depicts High Wolf counting coup on his enemy by showing a riding whip (quirt) touching the shield of the fallen Shoshone warrior. Counting coup - in this instance touching an adversary in battle - was considered an act of bravery that could gain war honors.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1894
original artist
unknown
ID Number
GA.08113
catalog number
GA*08113
accession number
1897.031963
This trumpet was made by Klemm & Brothers. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. around 1879 to 1891. It is an F natural trumpet made of brass brass, with a double coil and bell garland.
Description

This trumpet was made by Klemm & Brothers. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. around 1879 to 1891. It is an F natural trumpet made of brass brass, with a double coil and bell garland. This trumpet is stamped:

KLEMM & BRO.
PHILAD

This is a standard military trumpet, made according to Specification No. 38, dated February 15th, 1879, “Specifications for Trumpets,” Quartermaster General’s Office, War Department:

“For all foot troops -- To be the same as standard sample brass trumpet ’F,’ two (2) coil, and with two (2) mouthpieces. When complete, with mouth-piece in, to weigh about twelve and a half (12 ½) ounces, and to measure about sixteen (16) inches in length, and about four and a half (4 ½) inches in width at center. Diameter of bell to be about four and a half (4 ½) inches.”

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1879-1891
maker
Klemm & Brothers
ID Number
MI.025147
accession number
64127
catalog number
025147
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1899
associated person
Peter I
ID Number
NU.69.127.431
catalog number
69.127.431
accession number
286471
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1891
associated date
1891 -
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80777W44
designer number
198
accession number
64127
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1898 07 03 / 1898 07 03
ID Number
1988.0341.01
catalog number
1988.0341.01
accession number
1988.0341
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1892
user
1898 01 01, 1901 12 31
used date
1885 - 1902
user
William Dart
wearer
North, Virginia L.
ID Number
1992.0436.03
catalog number
1992.0436.03
accession number
1992.0436
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1898 - 1899
ID Number
2007.0069.07
catalog number
2007.0069.07
accession number
2007.0069
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1895
used date
1889 - 1902
ID Number
AF.25101.175
accession number
64127
catalog number
25101.175
Physical DescriptionWhite cotton with gunner's mate patch on left sleeve.Specific HistoryThis jumper or shirt would have been worn by an enlisted seaman.
Description
Physical Description
White cotton with gunner's mate patch on left sleeve.
Specific History
This jumper or shirt would have been worn by an enlisted seaman.
date made
ca 1890
ID Number
1982.0544.12
catalog number
1982.0544.12
accession number
1982.0544
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1895
associated date
1853 - 1895
ID Number
NU.68.263.766
catalog number
68.263.766
accession number
281689
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
user
1898 01 01, 1901 12 31
used date
1890 - 1897
user
Dart, William C.
ID Number
1992.0436.05
catalog number
1992.0436.05
accession number
1992.0436
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1899
ID Number
NU.69.127.128
catalog number
69.127.128
accession number
286471
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1890 - 1897
user
Utt, Harry S.
ID Number
1980.0420.03
catalog number
1980.0420.03
accession number
1980.0420
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898
ID Number
NU.69.127.708
catalog number
69.127.708
accession number
286471

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