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.

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cross bottony in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 18th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white cross bottony in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 18th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25248J
catalog number
25248J
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with red equilateral triangle in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams on flag panels and on triangle. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with red equilateral triangle in center of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams on flag panels and on triangle. Red and white cotton threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div. 4th Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235T
catalog number
25235T
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with large blue trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. Both corners on the hoist end have small white rectangular reinforcements. The cotton hoist is white and has a grommet at each end. The flag has machine stitched flat-felled seams.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with large blue trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. Both corners on the hoist end have small white rectangular reinforcements. The cotton hoist is white and has a grommet at each end. The flag has machine stitched flat-felled seams. The heading and trefoil are hand-stitched with flat-felled seams. Inscription on hoist reads "2ND ARMY/CORPS 3RD DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25263C
catalog number
25263C
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. The hoist is machine-stitched, open sleeve with one blue horizontal thread running its length. The hoist has inscription which reads "2nd Div.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. The hoist is machine-stitched, open sleeve with one blue horizontal thread running its length. The hoist has inscription which reads "2nd Div. 11 Army Corps." Flag is machine stitched with flat-felled seams using natural and brown/green threads.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242I
catalog number
25242I
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a wide yellow border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white applique of two crossed swords. The number "2" is stenciled on top of the crossed swords in red paint. White cotton hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a wide yellow border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white applique of two crossed swords. The number "2" is stenciled on top of the crossed swords in red paint. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Brg 4th Div'n Cavalry. Command." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled panel seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25260P
catalog number
25260P
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design; the top band is red, the middle band is white, and the bottom band is blue. In each band, next to the hoist edge of the flag, is a black five-point star applique.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design; the top band is red, the middle band is white, and the bottom band is blue. In each band, next to the hoist edge of the flag, is a black five-point star applique. White cotton canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "3rd Div 21st Army Corps." The flag has machine-stitched seams and hand-stitched edges.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25251J
catalog number
25251J
accession number
64127
Swallowtail flag. Blue field with three applique white stars near hoist. Red union with a white saltire next to the hoist. White hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 2nd Div. 14th Army Corps Dept.
Description
Swallowtail flag. Blue field with three applique white stars near hoist. Red union with a white saltire next to the hoist. White hoist. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 2nd Div. 14th Army Corps Dept. of / Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25244I
catalog number
25244I
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white crescent inset (or applique) in the center of the flag. There is a red number "11" on the crescent, most likely done in paint. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white crescent inset (or applique) in the center of the flag. There is a red number "11" on the crescent, most likely done in paint. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "11 Army Corps Headquarters."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242A
catalog number
25242A
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. Red crescent in the center of the flag. White cotton machine-stitched hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched flat-felled flag seams. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 1st Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. Red crescent in the center of the flag. White cotton machine-stitched hoist with no grommets. Machine-stitched flat-felled flag seams. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Brg. 1st Div. 11 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242F
catalog number
25242F
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white St. Andrew's cross in center of flag. Red border around all three sides of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine-stitched using brown threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 2nd Div 6 Army Corps."Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with white St. Andrew's cross in center of flag. Red border around all three sides of flag. White cotton hoist. Machine-stitched using brown threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 2nd Div 6 Army Corps."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25228L
catalog number
25228L
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white heart machine-stitched in the center of the flag. White canvas hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white heart machine-stitched in the center of the flag. White canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "RC Toy 49 N 9th Phila 24 Army Corps 1st Brg 2nd Div." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams. Overcast stitch at fly.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25254J
catalog number
25254J
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with blue union on top corner of hoist. Two crossed white stripes, forming a saltire, in union. Below union are two white stars arranged vertically. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div'n 2nd Brg 4th Army Corps Dept.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with blue union on top corner of hoist. Two crossed white stripes, forming a saltire, in union. Below union are two white stars arranged vertically. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div'n 2nd Brg 4th Army Corps Dept. of Cumberland."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25235K
catalog number
25235K
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a red inset six-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Div. 8 Army Corps".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a red inset six-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Div. 8 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25238D
catalog number
25238D
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a red heart in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "R.C. Toy [illegible] Phila. 24 Army Corps 1 [illegible] Div."Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a red heart in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "R.C. Toy [illegible] Phila. 24 Army Corps 1 [illegible] Div."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25254D
catalog number
25254D
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with blue union on top hoist corner. Two crossed white stripes, forming a saltire, in union. Three white stars arranged vertically beneath the union. The hoist has an inscription that reads "2nd Div. 3rd Brg. 4th Army Corp Dept.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with blue union on top hoist corner. Two crossed white stripes, forming a saltire, in union. Three white stars arranged vertically beneath the union. The hoist has an inscription that reads "2nd Div. 3rd Brg. 4th Army Corp Dept. of/Cumberland R C Toy 47 N 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25235L
catalog number
25235L
accession number
64127
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonal blue stripes, or bends, that run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail. The stripes cross at the fork of the swallowtail. In between the hoist and where the stripes cross is a white number "11".
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonal blue stripes, or bends, that run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail. The stripes cross at the fork of the swallowtail. In between the hoist and where the stripes cross is a white number "11". White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Ch'f Q. M. 11 Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25242C
catalog number
25242C
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. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Div 12 th Army Corps".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. Inscription on hoist reads "2nd Div 12 th Army Corps".
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25243H
catalog number
25243H
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. In both the red and blue bands there is a black five-point star applique with the number "1" painted in white on each star. White cotton hoist with hand-sewn tabs.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. In both the red and blue bands there is a black five-point star applique with the number "1" painted in white on each star. White cotton hoist with hand-sewn tabs. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 21st Army Corps." The flag has flat-felled machine-stitched seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25251G
catalog number
25251G
accession number
64127
Physical Description:Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white cotton shield insert hand-stitched in the center of the flag. Appliqued on the insert is a blue cotton anchor surmounted by a red cotton cannon. The anchor and cannon are crossed.
Description
Physical Description:
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with a white cotton shield insert hand-stitched in the center of the flag. Appliqued on the insert is a blue cotton anchor surmounted by a red cotton cannon. The anchor and cannon are crossed. Reinforcements on each hoist corner. Rope running through white hoist. Inscription on hoist reads "9 ARMY CORPS 2 Div HORSTMANN/Philadelphia".
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
ca 1865
maker
William H. Horstmann & Sons
ID Number
AF.25270A
catalog number
25270A
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a wide white border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a dark green five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 3rd Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a wide white border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a dark green five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 3rd Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49.N.9th Phila." The flag has flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250HH
catalog number
25250HH
accession number
64127
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonal blue stripes, or bends, that run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail. The stripes cross at the fork of the swallowtail. White number "7" painted in center of flag.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two diagonal blue stripes, or bends, that run from one end of the hoist to the opposite swallowtail. The stripes cross at the fork of the swallowtail. White number "7" painted in center of flag. White cotton canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "Chief Q. M. 7th Army Corps." Machine stitching.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25237C
catalog number
25237C
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design; the top band is red, the middle band is white, and the bottom band is blue. In each band, next to the hoist edge of the flag, is a black five-point star applique. The number "2" is painted on each star in white.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design; the top band is red, the middle band is white, and the bottom band is blue. In each band, next to the hoist edge of the flag, is a black five-point star applique. The number "2" is painted on each star in white. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the flag reads "2nd Brg 3rd Div 21st Army Corps." The flag is Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25251L
catalog number
25251L
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with white border around all edges except the hoist. White acorn in center of red field. Off-white cotton hoist with a grommet at each end. Tan threads. Hand and machine stitching.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with white border around all edges except the hoist. White acorn in center of red field. Off-white cotton hoist with a grommet at each end. Tan threads. Hand and machine stitching. The inscription on the hoist reads "14TH ARMY / CORPS 2ND DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25273C
catalog number
25273C
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with pigment painted design in center of flag. The design is a red shield with a white anchor that is crossed with a blue cannon (the cannon surmounts the anchor). Both the cannon and the anchor have black paint detailing on them.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with pigment painted design in center of flag. The design is a red shield with a white anchor that is crossed with a blue cannon (the cannon surmounts the anchor). Both the cannon and the anchor have black paint detailing on them. Two small reinforcement squares at the upper and lower hoist corners. Machine-stitched flat-felled panel seams. Machine and hand-stitched unbleached cotton pole sleeve with a grommet at each end. An inscription on the pole sleeve reads "9TH ARMY/CORPS 1ST DIVISION."
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AF.25284B
catalog number
25284B
accession number
64127

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