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.

French Lessons

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-18
maker
Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
ID Number
2013.0327.0657
catalog number
2013.0327.0657
accession number
2013.0327

American Soldiers Washing Up

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. The sketch is a view of the river and the steps leading down to it as seen between two buildings. Several dwellings in the background. Soldier mounting steps and two soldiers at the water.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. The sketch is a view of the river and the steps leading down to it as seen between two buildings. Several dwellings in the background. Soldier mounting steps and two soldiers at the water. The sketch is mounted to a larger piece of heavy white cardboard. A label affixed to this cardboard mount reads: "11./AMERICAN SOLDIERS WASHING UP IN THE DOLLER RIVER IN AN TOWN IN GERMAN/ALSACE. (Massevaux)./Peixotto."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25804
catalog number
25804
accession number
64592

First Lieutenant shoulder straps worn by Charles Maynard during the Civil War

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.291019
accession number
59852
catalog number
291019

Model 1841 U.S. Percussion Rifle with Merrill Breechloading Conversion

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1862
associated date
1848
patentee
Merrill, James H.
maker
Merrill, James H.
ID Number
AF.263472
catalog number
263472
accession number
52754

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with large white St. Andrew's cross hand-sewn in the center of the flag. Red cotton number "6" in the center of the cross. On the hoist side, each corner is reinforced with a small rectangle of blue fabric.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with large white St. Andrew's cross hand-sewn in the center of the flag. Red cotton number "6" in the center of the cross. On the hoist side, each corner is reinforced with a small rectangle of blue fabric. White cotton hoist with grommet on each end; an inscription on the hoist reads "6TH ARMY/CORPS HEADQUARTERS." Machine-stitched seams. Several hand-stitched repairs on the top edge of the flag, one of which overlaps the top right corner of the cross. There is also a repair on the cross.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25267A
catalog number
25267A
accession number
64127

Portrait of a man in military uniform

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1900s
ID Number
2017.3133.0102
nonaccession number
2017.3133
catalog number
2017.3133.0102

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dancing with representatives of America's military

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2009-01-20
depicted (sitter)
Obama, Barack H.
Obama, Michelle
maker
Kennerly, David Hume
ID Number
2010.0176.02
catalog number
2010.0176.02
accession number
2010.0176

Medal of Honor Ceremony

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
ID Number
2018.0166.0014
catalog number
2018.0166.0014
accession number
2018.0166

Palmetto Musket

The .69 caliber Palmetto Musket was essentially a U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Musket made under contract by William Glaze at the Palmetto Armory in Columbia for the state of South Carolina.
Description (Brief)
The .69 caliber Palmetto Musket was essentially a U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Musket made under contract by William Glaze at the Palmetto Armory in Columbia for the state of South Carolina. The bulk of them were assembled from surplus or rejected parts from the Springfield Armory.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
associated date
1852
maker
Palmetto Armory
ID Number
AF.256991
catalog number
256991
accession number
50774

John H. Hilldring

A three-quarters portrait of John H. Hilldring depicted as Major General, G-5, Director of Civil Affairs Division, War Department General Staff. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, Major General Hilldring has gray hair and blue eyes.
Description
A three-quarters portrait of John H. Hilldring depicted as Major General, G-5, Director of Civil Affairs Division, War Department General Staff. An oil painting on an illustration board. A white man, Major General Hilldring has gray hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a olive drab service coat with a collared shirt and a tie underneath as well as an olive drab garrison hat or a visor hat with an eagle in the center. U.S. officer collar insignias is seen on the left lapel. Five military ribbons are pinned to his left chest (identification is provided below). Two stars can be seen on the left shoulder strap indicating his rank as Major General. The bottom portion of the portrait is not sketched or painted in great detail. Major General Hilldring's signature is seen on the bottom right of the portrait.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1945
associated date
1941 - 1945
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
maker
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.46991
catalog number
46991
accession number
166217

Dog harness used by WWI Mascot Stubby

This brown leather dog harness was worn by "Stubby", the dog mascot of the Yankee Division during World War I. It is decorated with brass plates engraved with the towns in France where the Yankee Division fought, as well as names of places Stubby visited.
Description
This brown leather dog harness was worn by "Stubby", the dog mascot of the Yankee Division during World War I. It is decorated with brass plates engraved with the towns in France where the Yankee Division fought, as well as names of places Stubby visited. The plates read as follows: "Seicheprey", "Monte Carlo", "Property of J. Robert Conroy New Britain, Conn.", "Decorated by Eastern Dog Club Boston April, 1920", "Chemin Des Dames", "Paris", "Meuse Argonne", "Nice", "Monaco", "Chateau Thierry", "Stubby Mascot Yankee Division New Haven Conn to France 1917-1919". There is also a D.C. license which reads "1925 3560 Tax D.C. 1926".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.58284M
catalog number
58284M
accession number
210736

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, Light Division, 6th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a green St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist: "3rd Brg Lt Div 6 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a green St. Andrew's cross. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. Inscription on hoist: "3rd Brg Lt Div 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25228V
catalog number
25228V
accession number
64127

Springfield Armory Model 1867/1866 U.S. Cadet "Trapdoor" Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1867
associated date
1867
inventor
Allin, Erskine S.
maker
Springfield Armory
ID Number
AF.272939
catalog number
272939
accession number
54205
maker number
D1867

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps

Wool bunting rectangular flag. Blue field with a white inverted crescent surrounding a white five-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Div 7th Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting rectangular flag. Blue field with a white inverted crescent surrounding a white five-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Div 7th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25237I
catalog number
25237I
accession number
64127

coat

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1861 - 1865
user
Nagle, I. E.
ID Number
AF.2142 [dup1]
catalog number
2142
accession number
18342

Designating Flag, 2nd Division, 25th Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag; flag shape is almost that of a banner, with one short side (the hoist) and one long side. Blue field with a white square in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag; flag shape is almost that of a banner, with one short side (the hoist) and one long side. Blue field with a white square in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams on the flag; cotton thread in white and blue. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 25th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25255K
catalog number
25255K
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with red border on each side except the hoist. Red acorn in center of blue field. Off-white cotton hoist with a metal grommet at each end. Green, tan, and red threads. Hand and machine stitching.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with red border on each side except the hoist. Red acorn in center of blue field. Off-white cotton hoist with a metal grommet at each end. Green, tan, and red threads. Hand and machine stitching. The inscription on the hoist reads "14TH ARMY / CORPS 1ST DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25273B
catalog number
25273B
accession number
64127

Peabody Tilting Block Breechloading Rifle

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1866
maker
Providence Tool Company
ID Number
AF.222307
catalog number
222307

Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 4th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with white equilateral triangle in center of field. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "Arty Brg 4th Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with white equilateral triangle in center of field. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flag panels have flat-felled seams. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "Arty Brg 4th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235R
catalog number
25235R
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star design is two pieces sandwiched into the blue body fabric. Machine-stitched open-sleeve heading is white cotton and has no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cotton five-point star in the center of the flag. The star design is two pieces sandwiched into the blue body fabric. Machine-stitched open-sleeve heading is white cotton and has no grommets. Machine-stitching; flat-felled seams. Seams are poorly stitched; there are areas of excessive back-stitching, caught threads, and fabric caught in seams. Hand-sewn whipstitch at fly to close seam. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg. 2nd Div. 12th Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25243I
catalog number
25243I
accession number
64127

Man standing in snow

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1944-04-24
ID Number
2015.0074.0138
accession number
2015.0074
catalog number
2015.0074.0138

Roadside Blacksmith Near the Lines, Sanzey

Pencil sketch with some ink wash. A road runs through the sketch; people, horses, vehicles, and a motorcycle occupy the road. Behind the road is a row of low buildings. At left is a blacksmith shop. In front of the shop are two soldiers shoeing a horse.
Description
Pencil sketch with some ink wash. A road runs through the sketch; people, horses, vehicles, and a motorcycle occupy the road. Behind the road is a row of low buildings. At left is a blacksmith shop. In front of the shop are two soldiers shoeing a horse. Chickens and two children in foreground. Sketch is mounted to a larger piece of cardboard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25779
catalog number
25779
accession number
64592

John Mosby's Crutches

Physical DescriptionHand-carved wood.Specific HistoryThese crutches were used by John Mosby during the Civil War. Mosby stated, “These crutches were made for me during the war by a slave named Isaac who belonged to my father.
Description
Physical Description
Hand-carved wood.
Specific History
These crutches were used by John Mosby during the Civil War. Mosby stated, “These crutches were made for me during the war by a slave named Isaac who belonged to my father. They were first used in August 1863 when I went home wounded. My mother kept them for me and I again used them in September 1864 & December 1864.” General Robert E. Lee once said to Mosby, after seeing him on crutches at his headquarters, “The only fault I have to find with your conduct, Colonel Mosby, is that you are always getting wounded.”
General History
John Mosby was wounded on August 24, 1863. He was shot through the side and thigh as he attacked the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, which had halted to water the horses at Billy Gooding's Tavern on the Little River Turnpike in Virginia. He was carried into the woods and was attended to by Doctor W. L. Dunn. Due to the painful nature of his wounds, Mosby was slow to travel so he was carried into the pines and concealed as the pursuing federal troops passed through searching for him. Once clear of the danger, Mosby returned to the South to recuperate.
date made
ca 1863
associated date
1861 - 1865
user
Mosby, John Singleton
ID Number
AF.11971
catalog number
11971
accession number
51962

Headquarters of the American Army Schools

Ink wash and pencil sketch on paper. The work depicts a large, stately home in Langres, France which was converted to the Headquarters of the American Army Schools during World War I.
Description
Ink wash and pencil sketch on paper. The work depicts a large, stately home in Langres, France which was converted to the Headquarters of the American Army Schools during World War I. An automobile is in the drive and a man is walking up stairs to the entrance of the building.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25836
catalog number
25836
accession number
64592

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