Military

Frank Brownell's Medal of Honor

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.

Date: 1900s

A Billet Village on the Marne

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

At Ménil-la-Tour

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

Model 1880

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1880 - 1902
ID Number
2007.0069.40
catalog number
2007.0069.40
accession number
2007.0069

Montsec, A Street in No Man's Land

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

Vaux, July 23, 1918

Charcoal on white paper. Sketch showing a devastated shell torn village. There is a demolished bridge in the foreground and two destroyed buildings in the background.
Description
Charcoal on white paper. Sketch showing a devastated shell torn village. There is a demolished bridge in the foreground and two destroyed buildings in the background. Cracked wooden beams, chunks of concrete, and other debris are scattered throughout the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26133
catalog number
26133
accession number
64592

A Billet at Rangeval

A pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper of a billet at Rangeval, France. The scene is of the top floor of a stable where the soldiers are quartered.
Description
A pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper of a billet at Rangeval, France. The scene is of the top floor of a stable where the soldiers are quartered. Several soldiers are at the far end of the loft.
An original label for the sketch read, "This shows the hay loft of a huge stable. The men arrange their bunks in the straw and along the wall. The great shell hole in the roof (the result of former fighting) admits light and air and especially rain. But those men whose beds are exposed to the elements have stretched their ponchos tent-fashion and are enjoying a sort of inside-out existence."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25907
catalog number
25907
accession number
64592

Model 1872

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1872 - 1902
ID Number
2007.0069.42
catalog number
2007.0069.42
accession number
2007.0069

Model 1885

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1884 - 1885
used date
1885 - 1902
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80777W09
accession number
64127

Building Operations at Is-sur-Tille

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

Model 1880

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1880 - 1902
ID Number
2007.0069.41
catalog number
2007.0069.41
accession number
2007.0069

Model 1884; Dismounted

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1887
used date
1885 - 1902
ID Number
AF.25101.168
catalog number
25101.168
designer number
99
accession number
64127

2nd Centennial of Cavalry Regiment Number 38

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1901
associated person
Peter I
ID Number
NU.69.127.580
catalog number
69.127.580
accession number
286471

A Regiment Stops for Mess

Pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper. In this scene from the First World War, a regiment of soldiers stops for mess at Pagny-sur-Meuse, France. A large group of soldiers is assembled outdoors of what appears to be a complex of farm buildings.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper. In this scene from the First World War, a regiment of soldiers stops for mess at Pagny-sur-Meuse, France. A large group of soldiers is assembled outdoors of what appears to be a complex of farm buildings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25915
catalog number
25915
accession number
64592

Saddler's Room in a Monastery

Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on white thick paper. Three men stand in a room in a monastery. One of the men is making a horse saddle. Sheets of leather on workbenches are seen in the foreground, and there are tools and chains hanging on the wall to the right.
Description
Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on white thick paper. Three men stand in a room in a monastery. One of the men is making a horse saddle. Sheets of leather on workbenches are seen in the foreground, and there are tools and chains hanging on the wall to the right. The room is dark and in the shadows, except for the area under an open window where the men are standing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26048
catalog number
26048
accession number
64592

Model 1890

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1890 - 1902
ID Number
AF.10175
catalog number
10175
accession number
41609

A Battlefield on the Marne

Mixed media on paper. This landscape depicts a battlefield that was part of the Second Battle of the Marne during World War I. This conflict was a turning point in the war.
Description
Mixed media on paper. This landscape depicts a battlefield that was part of the Second Battle of the Marne during World War I. This conflict was a turning point in the war. On July 15-16, 1918, the 38th Regiment of the Third Infantry Division of the United States Army participated in a battle here. Two crosses marking graves in the left foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25946
catalog number
25946
accession number
64592

Major Robert Anderson Token

This advertising badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This advertising badge was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut during the mid-19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including buttons, daguerreotype mats, and campaign medals.
Obverse: Melainotype photograph of Major Robert Anderson facing forward. The text reads: OUR FLAG'S PROTECTOR. MAJ. ANDERSON.
Reverse: bears the text: ABBOT & COMPANY, MELAINOTYPE PORTRAITS, PICTURES, BUSINESS CARDS, Medals, &c./ WATERBURY, CONN.--- 143 NASSAU-ST. N.Y.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
depicted
Anderson, Robert
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1251
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1251

George Washington Commemorative Medal

This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the early 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today.
Description (Brief)
This commemorative medal was made by the Scovill Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut in the early 19th century. The Scovill Company was established in 1802 as a button manufacturer and is still in business today. Scovill was an early industrial American innovator, adapting armory manufacturing processes to mass-produce a variety of consumer goods including commemorative medals.
Obverse: Bust of George Washington facing left. Legend: GEORGE WASHINGTON, FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE
Reverse: Rim encircled by floral wreath. Legend: BORN, FEB. 11. 1732. GENERAL AMERICAN ARMIES, 1775, RESIGNED, 1783, PRESIDENT 1789 TO 1796. GENERAL U.S. ARMY, 1798. DIED, 1799.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 19th century
depicted
Washington, George
maker
Scovill Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1981.0296.1231
accession number
1981.0296
catalog number
1981.0296.1231

Model 1887; Dismounted

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1887
used date
1887 - 1902
ID Number
AF.25101.177
accession number
64127
catalog number
25101.177

Model 1885

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
used date
1885 - 1902
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80777W15
accession number
64127

Reherry

Mixed media sketch on paper. The sixteenth-century Church of Saint-Medard rises above the small French village of Grandpré. Grandpré's structures were damaged during World War I, like much of rural Fance along the Western Front.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. The sixteenth-century Church of Saint-Medard rises above the small French village of Grandpré. Grandpré's structures were damaged during World War I, like much of rural Fance along the Western Front. Small, partially-destructed houses and figures crowd the foreground at the intersection of what is today Rue du Clos and Rue du Moulin.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-04
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26035
catalog number
26035
accession number
64592

The Bridge at Dormans

Ink and pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. This sketch shows a destroyed suspension bridge. There are buildings to the left, and water and hills to the right. There are men under and on top of the bridge.Currently not on view
Description
Ink and pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. This sketch shows a destroyed suspension bridge. There are buildings to the left, and water and hills to the right. There are men under and on top of the bridge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26077
catalog number
26077
accession number
64592

Model 1885

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1996
1886
used date
1885 - 1902
ID Number
ZZ.RSN80777W07
accession number
64127

Model 1902

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1902
wearer
Gallagher, Michael F.
ID Number
1989.0167.03
catalog number
1989.0167.03
accession number
1989.0167

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