| National Museum of American History

Currently not on view

Location: Currently not on view

date made: ca 1927; ca 1926

maker: Springfield Armory

ID Number: AF.84503M
catalog number: 84503M
accession number: 1977.0478
serial number: 23

Currently not on view

Location: Currently not on view

date made: ca 1921

licensee: Thompson
maker: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company

ID Number: AF.68980M
catalog number: 68980M
accession number: 260284
serial number: 583

Developed by Hugo Schmeisser and Theodor Bergmann, the MP18/1 Submachine Gun was designed with trench warfare in mind.

Description (Brief): Developed by Hugo Schmeisser and Theodor Bergmann, the MP18/1 Submachine Gun was designed with trench warfare in mind. Designated the Maschinenpistole 18/1, it had a 32 round TM08 drum, or "snail shell," magazine and could fire approximately 500 rounds per minute.
Location: Currently not on view

associated date: 1920

ID Number: AF.68699M
catalog number: 68699M
serial number: 12272
accession number: 257059

Physical DescriptionUnited States M1 .30-caliber rifle.Specific HistoryJohn Garand was a civil service employee.

Description: Physical Description; United States M1 .30-caliber rifle.; Specific History; John Garand was a civil service employee. As the chief civilian engineer at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts, he invented a semiautomatic .30-caliber rifle known as the M1 or the "Garand." His work on this rifle let the United States enter into World War II as the only country with a semiautomatic rifle as standard issue for its troops. Garand received no monetary award other than his modest civil service salary for the M-1 or his numerous other technical innovations related to weapons. A bill was introduced in Congress to grant him $100,000, but it did not pass. However, in 1941 he was awarded a Medal for Meritorious Service. In 1944 he received a U.S. Government Medal for Merit.; General History; The United States M1 Rifle, .30 caliber, is better known as the M1 Garand. This rifle made General George Patton state, "In my opinion, the M1 rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised."

licensee: Garand, J. C.
maker: Springfield Armory

ID Number: AF.84450M
catalog number: 84450M
accession number: 1978.0623

Currently not on view

Location: Currently not on view

date made: ca 1903; ca 1920

ID Number: AF.82805M
catalog number: 82805M
accession number: 1977.0217
serial number: 813336

Physical DescriptionWooden toy gun.General HistoryWorld War II brought hard times for Daisy, as it did for many other United States companies. With steel no longer available for domestic use, Daisy was forced to make wooden pop guns.

Description: Physical Description; Wooden toy gun.; General History; World War II brought hard times for Daisy, as it did for many other United States companies. With steel no longer available for domestic use, Daisy was forced to make wooden pop guns. The steel that had made the BB gun was now used by Daisy to make 37-mm canisters for the war effort.

maker: Daisy Manufacturing Company, Inc.

ID Number: AF.84663M
catalog number: 84663M
accession number: 1978.1028
catalog number: 1978.1028.18

Physical DescriptionJapanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle, 6.5 mm with forged-steel bayonet; partially eradicated chrysanthemum stamp on receiver.General HistoryThe Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifles were all turn bolt-operated, with five-round non-detachable staggered row box magazines.

Description: Physical Description; Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle, 6.5 mm with forged-steel bayonet; partially eradicated chrysanthemum stamp on receiver.; General History; The Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifles were all turn bolt-operated, with five-round non-detachable staggered row box magazines. They were loaded with five-round stripper clips, a flat metal piece holding a five-round stack, which was inserted at the top of the magazine, the rounds thumbed down into position, and the metal piece sent flying when the bolt was closed. This rifle was named for Colonel Nariakira Arisaka. During the 1890s he headed a commission charged with developing a new rifle to replace earlier models such as the Murata. The Arisaka rifles were designated with the year of the current emperor's reign. Thus, the Type 38 rifle was designed in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Emperor Meiji which would have been 1905. The rifle was stamped on the receiver with a sixteen-petal chrysanthemum, the symbol of the Japanese emperor. The chrysanthemum stamp showed the rifle was manufactured for the Imperial Japanese Army and therefore belonged to the emperor. As a face-saving gesture, Japanese soldiers who surrendered after the war made an attempt to grind the symbol off their rifles.

licensee: Arisaka, Nariakira

ID Number: AF.59478M
catalog number: 59478M
accession number: 214893

Edward Hebern of California designed this rotor for a cipher machine.

Description: Edward Hebern of California designed this rotor for a cipher machine. Commercial rotary cipher machines would be introduced in the 1920s and 1930s for commercial purposes by several people in several countries, and proved most important during World War II.; Hebern’s rotor has twenty-six electrical wires which directed the flow of current representing each letter of the alphabet from one location to another. The twenty-six wires are covered with green cloth, each wire having lugs at each end. One lug of each wire is lettered. The lettered lug is screwed into electrical contacts on one side of the rotor. The wire then passes through a hole in the rotor and is attached to a contact on the other side. As the rotor is wired, alternate lettered and unlettered lugs appear around both circles of contacts.; The rim of the rotor has a paper inset that reads: HEBERN ELECTRIC CODE. Another inset reads: NAVY-PRIVATE CODE. The rotor is stamped near the edge: MADE JAN 10 -1915.; The rotor has a cardboard case covered inside and out with green velvet. The date on the rotor precedes Hebern's patents for rotary cipher machines and his establishment of a company to manufacture them.
Location: Currently not on view

date made: ca 1925; 1915

maker: Hebern, Edward; Edward Hebern

ID Number: 1991.0190.07
catalog number: 1991.0190.07

Physical DescriptionAbridged Prayer Book for Jews in the Armed Forces of the United States, in drab green boards, 360 pp.Specific HistoryThis prayer book was owned by Sergeant Jules Herstein. He listed his military service on the inside back cover.

Description: Physical Description; Abridged Prayer Book for Jews in the Armed Forces of the United States, in drab green boards, 360 pp.; Specific History; This prayer book was owned by Sergeant Jules Herstein. He listed his military service on the inside back cover. He served five years from his induction in June 1940 until his discharge on December 5, 1945.

associated dates: 1940-06-01-1945-12-05

user: Herstein, Sergeant Jules

ID Number: 1993.0505.01
catalog number: 1993.0505.01
accession number: 1993.0505

The United States entered World War I in April 1917. Within days, the federal government created the Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC) to construct a fleet of merchant ships.

Description: The United States entered World War I in April 1917. Within days, the federal government created the Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC) to construct a fleet of merchant ships. The EFC hired the American International Shipbuilding Corporation to build and operate the largest shipyard in the world: Hog Island, near Philadelphia.; Most of the Emergency Fleet Corporation’s 122 ships were Type A cargo freighters. However, a few were Type B troop transports. Originally named Sisladobsis, this single-screw transport was completed in December 1920 by the American International Shipbuilding Corporation as Aisne for the US Shipping Board at Hog Island, Philadelphia. In 1924, it was renamed the American Merchant and later sold to the United States Lines. In February 1940 it was sold again to a Belgian holding company partly owned by the United States Lines and renamed Ville de Namur.; In mid-June 1940, the Ville was transporting a cargo of horses from Bordeaux, France to Liverpool, England. On the 19th, it was struck by two torpedoes from the German U-Boat U-52 and sank quickly. Fifty-four of its crew of 79 survived.

date made: 1920

ID Number: TR.306999
accession number: 64928
catalog number: TR*306999

Physical DescriptionPrinted paper.Specific HistoryThis citation was awarded to Audie Murphy for “Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity Involving Risk of Life Above and Beyond the Call of Duty In Action With the Enemy,” January 26, 1945. The citation reads:2d Lt.

Description: Physical Description; Printed paper.; Specific History; This citation was awarded to Audie Murphy for “Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity Involving Risk of Life Above and Beyond the Call of Duty In Action With the Enemy,” January 26, 1945. The citation reads:; 2d Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, 1 of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective.; General History; Audie Murphy enlisted in the United States Army at age seventeen to make something of himself. By the end of World War II, Audie Murphy's exploits had earned him every medal his country could give. He was the war's most decorated soldier and a national hero. Four years later, as a struggling actor in Hollywood, he turned his wartime experiences into a best selling book, To Hell and Back. He later starred in the film version of his book. He died in an airplane crash in 1971 in Virginia while on a business trip.; His list of medals includes:; Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster; Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster; U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Distinguished Unit Emblem with First Oak Leaf Cluster; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns), and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France); World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar; Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar; French Fourragère in Colors of the Croix de Guerre; French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier; French Croix de Guerre With Silver Star; French Croix de Guerre with Palm; Medal of Liberated France; Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm
Location: Currently not on view

date awarded: 1945-04-23
date referenced: 1945-01-26

recipient: Murphy, Audie

ID Number: 1985.0428.04
catalog number: 1985.0428.04
accession number: 1985.0428

Physical DescriptionGerman MP40 "Maschinenpistole .40" submachine gun, .40 caliber.General HistoryThe Maschinenpistole 40, commonly known as the MP40, is similar to the Thompson, but uses a smaller 9-mm round.

Description: Physical Description; German MP40 "Maschinenpistole .40" submachine gun, .40 caliber.; General History; The Maschinenpistole 40, commonly known as the MP40, is similar to the Thompson, but uses a smaller 9-mm round. This submachine gun evolved out of the MP38, which was prone to misfirings that had sometimes lethal results. A simple technical innovation to the hammer eliminated the problem, and the MP40 was born. Total production is unknown but it is believed that more that one million of these weapons were produced between 1940 and 1944.

licensee: Erma Werke - Erfurter Maschinenfabrik
maker: Erma Werke - Erfurter Maschinenfabrik

ID Number: AF.53278
catalog number: 53278
accession number: 188409

Physical DescriptionGerman Walther P38 pistol, 9 mm.General HistoryThe Carl Walther Company began development of a new military pistol in the mid-1930s to replace the WW I Luger design.

Description: Physical Description; German Walther P38 pistol, 9 mm.; General History; The Carl Walther Company began development of a new military pistol in the mid-1930s to replace the WW I Luger design. In 1938, the Werhmacht adopted Walther's design and called it the "Pistole 38." The pistol went into full production by mid-1940 and became standard issue in the World War II. Although never as famous as the Luger pistol, the P38 was issued to far more troops.

licensee: Walther
maker: Mauser

ID Number: AF.58195M
catalog number: 58195M
accession number: 209540

Currently not on view

Location: Currently not on view

date made: 1915-1921

ID Number: 2017.0308.0001
catalog number: 2017.0308.0001
accession number: 2017.0308

Currently not on view

Location: Currently not on view

date made: ca 1920s

maker: Keystone View Company

ID Number: 2010.0182.0084
catalog number: 2010.0182.0084
accession number: 2010.0182

Edward Hebern of California designed several machines to encipher and decipher typed messages. They used one of the most important twentieth century developments in cipher machines, the rotor.

Description: Edward Hebern of California designed several machines to encipher and decipher typed messages. They used one of the most important twentieth century developments in cipher machines, the rotor. Rotary cipher machines were introduced in the 1920s and 1930s for commercial purposes by several people in several countries.; These two rotors are of Hebern’s design. Each has a metal ring with spokes attached to central hole, between two bakelite rings. Twenty-six short metal strips pass through each rotor. The strips are screwed down on one side of the rotor. On the other side, they are held down with nuts (one rotor has no nuts). Both sides of each rotor have twenty-six round metal contacts, outside the metal strips. A metal band goes around the outside of each rotor, with the letters from A to Y. Between the letters are square openings in the rings. One rotor is numbered “3” on the ring, the other “4”. Both rotors have a mark on one spoke that reads: HEBERN (/) ELECTRIC (/) CODE. They are also marked with various patent dates and numbers. The latest date reads: SEPT. 30, 1924.; Compare the rotor on cipher machine prototype 1991.0190.04.; Reference:; E.H. Hebern, “Electric Coding Machine,” U.S. Patent 1,510,441, September 30, 1924.
Location: Currently not on view

date made: ca 1925

maker: Hebern, Edward; Edward Hebern

ID Number: 1991.0190.08
catalog number: 1991.0190.08

Physical DescriptionFlag is olive green, with Man-in-Service Flag embroidered in red and white with one blue star in center; word "Medical" embroidered above embroidered flag.

Description: Physical Description; Flag is olive green, with Man-in-Service Flag embroidered in red and white with one blue star in center; word "Medical" embroidered above embroidered flag. Caduceus embroidered under flag.; Specific History; This modification of the Service Flag indicates that the member is in the Medical Corps.; General History; When displayed in a home, business, or church, the flag indicates that one member of the family or other group is actively serving in the armed forces. A blue star indicates a member currently serving, while a gold star indicates a member killed while serving.

associated date: 1917-1918; 1914-1918

ID Number: 1979.0220.13
accession number: 1979.0220
catalog number: 1979.0220.013

Physical DescriptionRed wool bunting cloth with white circle in center. In the center of the white circle is a swastika.General HistoryIn 1920, Adolf Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag.

Description: Physical Description; Red wool bunting cloth with white circle in center. In the center of the white circle is a swastika.; General History; In 1920, Adolf Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own insignia and flag. For Hitler, the new flag had to be “a symbol of our own struggle” as well as “highly effective as a poster.” On August 7, 1920, at the Salzburg Congress, this flag became the official emblem of the Nazi Party. In Mein Kampf, Hitler described the Nazis' new flag: “In red we see the social idea of the movement, in white the nationalistic idea, in the swastika the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man, and, by the same token, the victory of the idea of creative work, which as such always has been and always will be anti-Semitic.”

ID Number: 1977.0788.03
catalog number: 1977.0788.03
accession number: 1977.0788

Physical DescriptionCotton bunting. Blue star in the center of white field; red border.General HistoryThe Man-in-Service Flag was used in both World War I and World War II. It is also known as the Blue Star Flag.

Description: Physical Description; Cotton bunting. Blue star in the center of white field; red border.; General History; The Man-in-Service Flag was used in both World War I and World War II. It is also known as the Blue Star Flag. Each family was entitled to hang a small Man-in-Service Flag in a window to signify they had a family member in service. The flag was about a foot long and was hung vertically. The blue star was covered with a gold (actually yellow) star if the family member died in action.
Location: Currently not on view

ID Number: 1979.0445.42
catalog number: 1979.0445.42
accession number: 1979.0445

Edward Hebern of California designed several machines to encipher and decipher typed messages. Hebern was one of the first to patent one of the most important developments in cipher machines, the rotor.

Description: Edward Hebern of California designed several machines to encipher and decipher typed messages. Hebern was one of the first to patent one of the most important developments in cipher machines, the rotor. This black metal machine has a keyboard, a lever and two switches in front, three rotors and two half-rotors behind the keyboard, and typewriter keys and carriage in back. Twenty-six lettered white keys are arranged as on a QUERTY keyboard. Keys in the top row also have numbers painted on them. The bottom row has a short black bar on the right. The rotors and half-rotors are lettered from A to Z on the rim and have toothed edges. Two of these edges fit into two mechanisms behind the rotors. The typing mechanism has a spring attached that prevents printing from occurring in some circumstances. A shift key is on the left and an advance key on the right.; Two electrical components on the underside of the machine are marked: WESTERN ELECTROMECHANICAL CO. (/) MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS (/) 300 Broadway OAKLAND 7, CAL.; The black suitcase that holds the machine is lined with purple cloth. It has four straps on the inside and two on the outside. A stamp on the bottom (or back) reads: 24ELKIDE 803. A worn tag attached to one of the outer straps reads: -FROM- (/) OMO 47 BRANCH (/) Bank of America (/) TRUST AND (/) NATIONAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATION (/) [. . .] To Douglas Chase (/) SK91269 (/) Black Suit Case. Another mark on the tag reads: 3-4-50.
Location: Currently not on view

date made: 1925-1940; 1920-1940; 1920s; 1920s?

maker: Hebern, Edward; Edward Hebern

ID Number: 1991.0190.02
catalog number: 1991.0190.02

Physical DescriptionBrown cardboard box, marked with a red cross and lettered in black "American Red Cross Prisoner of War Food Package No.

Description: Physical Description; Brown cardboard box, marked with a red cross and lettered in black "American Red Cross Prisoner of War Food Package No. 10 for Distribution through the International Red Cross Committee."; General History; Filled by Red Cross volunteers in the United States, in cooperation with the army's Quartermaster Corps, these boxes were then shipped to the International Committee of the Red Cross warehouse in Geneva Switzerland. From Switzerland, the boxes were shipped to the nearly 1.4 million Allied prisoners of war held in Germany. The boxes usually contained the following: army spread, canned bacon, luncheon meat, salmon, dehydrated corned beef, canned-cheese product, soluble coffee, powdered milk, and chocolate D bars. Non-food items included: toilet paper, soap, paper towels, can opener, needles, thread, patching cloth, vitamin capsules, salt, and tobacco.

associated dates: 1941-1945

issuing authority: Red Cross

ID Number: 1992.3030.30
catalog number: 1992.3030.30
nonaccession number: 1992.3030

Physical DescriptionPacket of blue-gray paper with a red border bearing the "V-mail" logo and information.General HistoryDuring World War II, V-Mail became a popular way for soldiers and their loved ones at home to correspond.

Description: Physical Description; Packet of blue-gray paper with a red border bearing the "V-mail" logo and information.; General History; During World War II, V-Mail became a popular way for soldiers and their loved ones at home to correspond. V-mail was written on specially designed sheets— a combination letter and envelope. These sheets were sent to the government where they were reduced to thumbnail size on microfilm. The microfilm was flown overseas and then developed at a lab close to the recipient's position. The V-mail letter-sheets, now about one-quarter of their original size, were mailed and delivered to the soldiers or their families back home. The development of the V-Mail system reduced the time it took a soldier to receive a letter by a month— from six weeks by boat to twelve days or less by air.; However, the main advantage of V-Mail was its compact nature. Reduction in the size and weight of the letters translated into more space for crucial military supplies on cargo planes. One roll of film weighing about seven ounces could hold over 1,500 letters. Putting that another way, two pounds of microfilm replaced 100 pounds of letters! Over a billion letters were sent via V-Mail between 1942 and 1945. In all, about 556.5 million pieces of V-Mail were sent from the United States to military post offices and over 510 million pieces were received from military personnel abroad. Think of it as the earliest form of e-mail.

maker: Stanley Wessel & Company

ID Number: 1992.3030.18
catalog number: 1992.3030.18
nonaccession number: 1992.3030

Dance card from Staunton Military Acadamy's Final Ball of the year on June 4, 1929. Its four paper pages have celluloid covers front and back and an attached cord and tassel. All twelve lines for dances have been filled with names.Currently not on view

Description (Brief): Dance card from Staunton Military Acadamy's Final Ball of the year on June 4, 1929. Its four paper pages have celluloid covers front and back and an attached cord and tassel. All twelve lines for dances have been filled with names.
Location: Currently not on view

date made: 1929

ID Number: 2006.0098.1341
catalog number: 2006.0098.1341
accession number: 2006.0098

Military

T1 Rifle Pedersen's Patent

Auto-Ordnance Corporation/Colt Model 1921 Thompson Submachinegun

MP 18/1 Submachine Gun

United States M1 Rifle

Sporterized Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle

Daisy Pop Gun

Japanese Arisaka Rifle with Bayonet

Hebern Electric - Cipher Machine Rotor

Jewish Prayer Book

Ship Model, Transport American Merchant

Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor Citation

German MP40 "Maschinenpistole .40" Submachine Gun

German Walther P38 Pistol

Photograph Album, WWI

Fort Marion

Two Hebern Electric Code Cipher Machine Rotors

Man-in-Service Flag

German Nazi Swastika Flag

Man-in-Service Flag

Hebern Cipher Machine

American Red Cross Prisoner of War Food Package No. 10

Victory-Mail Packet

Dance card