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.

News of the Finish

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11-11
Associated Date
1918
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0654
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0654

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white square bastioned fort design (the design is a square with diamonds on each corner). Undyed cotton hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Brg 2nd Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a white square bastioned fort design (the design is a square with diamonds on each corner). Undyed cotton hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Brg 2nd Div. 10 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25241J
catalog number
25241J
accession number
64127

Women in uniform gathered around a piano

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940s
ID Number
2017.0309.0010
accession number
2017.0309
catalog number
2017.0309.0010

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with wide blue border on all sides except for the hoist. Blue acorn in center of field. One applique cotton blue star between the hoist and the acorn. Off-white cotton hoist. Tan threads. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with wide blue border on all sides except for the hoist. Blue acorn in center of field. One applique cotton blue star between the hoist and the acorn. Off-white cotton hoist. Tan threads. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 1st Brg 14th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244Y
catalog number
25244Y
accession number
64127

French L. Lamein & Co. Model 1844/60 "Piedmontese" Rifle Musket

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
AF.222337
catalog number
222337

Plant's Front Loading Pocket Revolver

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.259323
catalog number
259323
accession number
51404
serial number
4462

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 22nd Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border at the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a red pentagonal cross. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "R.C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border at the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a red pentagonal cross. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila 22 Army Corps 2nd Brg 1st Div." Machine-stitched seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252F
catalog number
25252F
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue cotton applique of two crossed swords hand-stitched to the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with a metal grommet at either end.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a blue cotton applique of two crossed swords hand-stitched to the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with a metal grommet at either end. The inscription on the hoist reads "CAVALRY 3RD DIVISION." The flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25286F
catalog number
25286F
accession number
64127

A. Waters Model 1816/1826 Type 2 Ward Tape Primed Percussion Conversion Musket

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1826
associated date
1826
licensee
Ward
maker
Waters, Asa
ID Number
AF.247408
catalog number
247408
accession number
47226
maker number
14 D1826
serial number
14

Sword captured from Confederate officer at Fort Pulaski

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.18968
catalog number
18968
accession number
62555

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border on the hoist edge. White cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star is two pieces sandwiched between the blue body fabric. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; it has no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border on the hoist edge. White cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star is two pieces sandwiched between the blue body fabric. White cotton hoist is machine-stitched with an open sleeve; it has no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 2nd Div. 12 th Army Corps". Machine-stitched flat-felled seams done in black, natural, and tan cotton thread. Hand-sewn whipstitch at fly to close seam.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25243J
catalog number
25243J
accession number
64127

Exhibition on Sex Hygiene and Venereal Disease, Placard No. 1: "In order to be a good fighting man"

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
War Department. Commission on Training Camp Activities
ID Number
2015.3115.45
catalog number
2015.3115.45
nonaccession number
2015.3115

U.S. Hall Breechloading Flintlock Rifle, Model 1819/1838

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1838
associated date
1838
licensee
Hall, John H.
maker
Harpers Ferry
ID Number
AF.273347
catalog number
273347
accession number
54537

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 2nd Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. White field with two diagonal red stripes that cross at the fork in the swallowtail. In the center of the flag is a number "2" done in blue paint or as an applique/insert of blue fabric (can't tell from photo). White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. White field with two diagonal red stripes that cross at the fork in the swallowtail. In the center of the flag is a number "2" done in blue paint or as an applique/insert of blue fabric (can't tell from photo). White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Chief Q.M. 2nd Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25233C
catalog number
25233C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a hand- and machine-stitched white crescent in the center of the flag. The crescent opens toward the fly edge of the flag. Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a hand- and machine-stitched white crescent in the center of the flag. The crescent opens toward the fly edge of the flag. Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams. The ends of the undyed cotton hoist are machine-stitched and the hoist is hand-stitched to the flag. The hoist has a metal grommet at each end and an inscription which reads "11TH ARMY/CORPS 2ND DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25272C
catalog number
25272C
accession number
64127

Springfield Armory Allin Conversion Model 1865 "Trapdoor" Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
associated date
1865
licensee
Allin, Erskine S.
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.272947
catalog number
272947
accession number
54205

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a shield in the upper hoist corner. The shield is divided into three red parts by a yellow outline. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 23rd Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a shield in the upper hoist corner. The shield is divided into three red parts by a yellow outline. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 23rd Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25253C
catalog number
25253C
accession number
64127

Winchester-Hotchkiss Model 1879 Bolt Action Carbine

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1879
inventor
Hotchkiss, Benjamin B.
maker
Winchester Repeating Arms Company
ID Number
AF.222363
catalog number
222363
serial number
75

George McClellan's forage cap

Worn by General George McClellan, this well-tailored kepi, also known as a chasseur cap, was a taller type than most Civil War kepis and popular with soldiers of all ranks, who sometimes placed a wet sponge or handkerchief under the crown to keep cool.Currently not on view
Description
Worn by General George McClellan, this well-tailored kepi, also known as a chasseur cap, was a taller type than most Civil War kepis and popular with soldiers of all ranks, who sometimes placed a wet sponge or handkerchief under the crown to keep cool.
Location
Currently not on view
associated person
McClellan, George B.
ID Number
AF.56531
catalog number
56531
accession number
200641

Designating Flag, Light Division, 6th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a green St. Andrew's cross (or X) in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Lt Div. Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a green St. Andrew's cross (or X) in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Lt Div. Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228S
catalog number
25228S
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Chief Quartermaster, 9th Army Corps

Physical Description:Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field. There are two bicolor diagonal stripes that extend from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail; these stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail.
Description
Physical Description:
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field. There are two bicolor diagonal stripes that extend from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail; these stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. The bicolor stripes are white on top and navy on bottom before the fork and navy on top and white on bottom on the swallowtails. A green cotton number "9" surmounts the stripes. White cotton hhoist with a metal grommet at each end. The hoist has an inscription that reads "9th ARMY Corps/Chief/Qr. Master From/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada Pa/Contract March 23, 1865." The flag is hand-stitched.
General Description:
Ninth Army Corps (22 July 1862 - 1 August 1865)
The Ninth Army Corps used several different flags during its existence between 22 July 1862 and 1 August 1865. The corps badge, authorized on April 19, 1864, called for the design of a shield on which a fouled anchor lies beneath a cannon. the regulation flag bearing the badge design came into use in the late summer of 1864.
The Corps was commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside from its beginning. It is speculated that the shield represents the seal of the state of Rhode Island, General Burnsides' birthplace, and the fouled anchor refers to the Corp's participation in the Peninsular campaign.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25270D
catalog number
25270D
accession number
64127

Platoon 8

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939-05
ID Number
2013.0327.1192
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1192

Ruined Chateau, Village of Eix

Charcoal sketch on illustration board of a ruined chateau in the village of Eix in France. The house is shell-torn, with several large holes in the roof and walls. The chateau is surrounded by shell damaged trees and a ruined brick wall.
Description
Charcoal sketch on illustration board of a ruined chateau in the village of Eix in France. The house is shell-torn, with several large holes in the roof and walls. The chateau is surrounded by shell damaged trees and a ruined brick wall. According to the title card affixed to the drawing, the chateau was once the headquarters of the Crown Prince.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Morgan, Wallace
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25780
catalog number
25780
accession number
64592

Courtney Hicks Hodges

A three-quarters portrait of Courtney H. Hodges depicted as General, commanding 1st Army. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, General Hodges has gray hair, brown eyes and a gray moustache stubble.
Description
A three-quarters portrait of Courtney H. Hodges depicted as General, commanding 1st Army. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, General Hodges has gray hair, brown eyes and a gray moustache stubble. He is wearing a olive drab service coat with a collared shirt and a tie underneath. U.S. officer insignias are found on the lapels of the coat. Four stars indicating his rank of General are seen on the shoulder straps along with a green band under one of the stars to serve as an identifier for leaders. He has a shoulder patch of the First Army and nineteen military ribbons on his left chest which are identified below. The General's signature can be seen on the lower left portion of the portrait. The bottom portion of the coat and the portrait are not sketched or painted in detail.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1941 - 1945
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
maker
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.46992
catalog number
46992
accession number
166217

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