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.

Place: New York

Schuyler, Hartley & Graham Presentation Sword, Ames Manufacturing Co. Scabbard Inscribed "Genl. U.S. Grant Galena Ill's, Presented by G.W. Graham, C.B. Lagow, C.C. Marsh & John Cook 1861"

Sword: This presentation sword was given to Ulysses S. Grant in April 1862. The blade is long, slender, diamond shaped, and straight. It is decorated with silver chasing on both sides. On the obverse, there is a "US" monogram in the center.
Description
Sword: This presentation sword was given to Ulysses S. Grant in April 1862. The blade is long, slender, diamond shaped, and straight. It is decorated with silver chasing on both sides. On the obverse, there is a "US" monogram in the center. Above the monogram there is a bugler sounding his horn and below it there is a Zouave soldier and an infantryman holding his bayonet. There are floral designs surrounding each of the characters. The reverse is similarly decorated with an infantryman, a Zouave, a naval officer, and trophy and floral designs. The grip of the sword is ivory. On the obverse there is a United States flag and shield design, a Roman helmet, and two crossed cannons. The reverse bears a simple carving of a shingle design. The pommel is shaped like a vase, with an eagle cast on the obverse and a plain shield surrounded by scroll designs on the reverse. There are four faces cast into the top of the pommel: Zeus, Hermes, and two who look like classical soldiers. The knuckleguard is a four sided bronze strip, the obverse and reverse of which are decorated with thunderbolts. It terminates in a round, flat quillon with a floral design cast on the tip. The counterguard is ovular, and features an eagle standing in front of three standards. The reverse side of the counterguard is a plain, and it is hinged to the quillon.
Scabbard: The scabbard bears three gold mounts. The top two mounts are decorated in scroll and floral designs, and the bottom, (which acts as the drag), bears a long oak spray. There is an inscription reading, "Genl. U.S. Grant. / GALENA ILL'S" between the top and middle mount on the obverse. The space between the middle mount and the drag bears an engraving of military trophies and floral designs. The reverse of the scabbard bears an inscription reading, "PRESENTED / BY / G.W. Graham. C.B. Lagow. / C.C. Marsh & John Cook. / 1861". The scabbard has three carrying rings, one on each side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the middle mount.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1861
date presented
1861
recipient
President Ulysses S. Grant
associated person
Graham, G. W.
Lagow, C. B.
Marsh, C. C.
Hook, John
maker of sword
Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
maker of scabbard
Ames Manufacturing Company
ID Number
AF.2989
catalog number
2989
accession number
18528

Biplane bomber

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1907-1914
Associated Date
1914-07-30
ID Number
2018.0166.0088
catalog number
2018.0166.0088
accession number
2018.0166

"Go Nuts"

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date printed
2021
date made
2007-05-25
maker
Berman, Nina
ID Number
2021.0057.0031
accession number
2021.0057
catalog number
2021.0057.0031

Boy and Girl at U.S. Marines recruiting event

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date printed
2021
date made
2007-05-25
maker
Berman, Nina
ID Number
2021.0057.0013
accession number
2021.0057
catalog number
2021.0057.0013

US Army Model 1851 dress cap worn by William T. Sherman

US Army Model 1851 dress cap worn by William Tecumseh Sherman. The shako-style hat is made of cardboard covered in a dark blue cloth, with a cap band of a dark blue wool with a gold thread insignia consisting of the letters "U.S." in a wreath.
Description
US Army Model 1851 dress cap worn by William Tecumseh Sherman. The shako-style hat is made of cardboard covered in a dark blue cloth, with a cap band of a dark blue wool with a gold thread insignia consisting of the letters "U.S." in a wreath. The hat's brim is missing but its black leather chin strap is still attached at one side with a US general service button. Sherman wore this cap when serving as a Captain in the Subsistence Department in 1851.
date made
ca 1851
wearer
Sherman, William Tecumseh
ID Number
AF.15932
catalog number
15932
accession number
59388

Pair of US Army general service buttons

Two gilt United States Army officer's general service buttons marked "S.M. & Co. New York".Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Two gilt United States Army officer's general service buttons marked "S.M. & Co. New York".
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1832 - 1902
ID Number
AF.22107
catalog number
22107
accession number
63543

William T. Sherman's General of the Army forage cap

Forage cap worn by William Tecumseh Sherman when General of the Army, 1869-1883. The cap is a custom-made modification of a Model 1872 US Army officer's forage cap, with leather brim, velvet band, and dark blue wool upper.
Description
Forage cap worn by William Tecumseh Sherman when General of the Army, 1869-1883. The cap is a custom-made modification of a Model 1872 US Army officer's forage cap, with leather brim, velvet band, and dark blue wool upper. The cap is ornamented with an embroidered US insignia inside a wreath and a gold thread knot on top to signify the rank of General of the Army.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870s
wearer
Sherman, William Tecumseh
ID Number
AF.15934
catalog number
15934
accession number
59388

Sword Voted to Ulysses S. Grant at the Metropolitan Fair

Presented to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant by the United States Sanitary Commission Metropolitan Fair in New York, New York on April 23, 1864.This sword was voted to Ulysses S.
Description (Brief)
Presented to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant by the United States Sanitary Commission Metropolitan Fair in New York, New York on April 23, 1864.
Description
This sword was voted to Ulysses S. Grant at the Metropolitan Fair in aid of the United States Sanitary Commission in New York, New York on April 23, 1864. The United States Sanitary Commission was a private relief organization that supported army hospitals and sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. The voting at the Metropolitan Fair became a real contest between Grant and George B. McClellan who was politically connected and very popular in New York. The newspapers covered it as extensively as any election or military battle.
This design of this sword is similar to presentation swords of the War of 1812 era. The blade is wide, heavy, and straight with beveled edges. The obverse of the blade features a knight, a trophy, and a floral scroll design in silver chasing on a gold background. The reverse is similarly decorated with the figure of a youthful United States Infantry officer, supporting floral and scroll designs. The silver mounted grip is decorated on the obverse with the head a classical Greek soldier surrounded by military trophies; the reverse is decorated with a figure of Nike. The pommel is a bust of Athena. The lower portion of it is set with rubies and diamonds and a sapphire in the center. The knuckle guard consists of a heavy gilt strip, decorated with a medallion bearing the head of Medusa and terminating above the blade in a quillon in the shape of a ram's head. The counterguard is formed of a large oval shield bearing the figure of Hercules slaying the Nemean lion.
The scabbard is decorated with three mounts, two of which bear oak-leaf designs and a laurel spray on the drag. It bears two inscriptions, “PRESENTED TO / Lient. Gen! U.S. Grant. / by his friends through the / METROPOLITAN FAIR, in aid of the / UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION. / New York. April 23.d 1864.” Also, “"UPON YOUR SWORD SITS LAUREL'D VICTORY". The scabbard has three carrying rings; two positioned on either side at the top, and one at the middle
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
associated date
1864-04-24
recipient
President Ulysses S. Grant
presenter
United States Sanitary Commission
maker
Tiffany & Co.
ID Number
AF.2991A
catalog number
2991A
accession number
18528

George Washington's Battle Sword and Scabbard

Physical DescriptionHanger-type sword of forged steel with grooved blade. Grip of green-dyed ivory with silver strip decoration.
Description
Physical Description
Hanger-type sword of forged steel with grooved blade. Grip of green-dyed ivory with silver strip decoration. Leather scabbard with silver trim.
Specific History
George Washington wore this simple hanger as his battle sword while serving as commander of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Made in Fishkill, New York, by John Bailey, an immigrant cutler from Sheffield, England, the sword has a slightly curved, grooved steel blade, silver-mounted cross guard and pommel, and a green ivory grip.
The sword was inherited by Washington’s nephew, Samuel T. Washington, an army captain. In his will, Washington admonished his nephew to draw the sword only "in self-defense or in the defense of [the] country and its rights.” Samuel's son donated the sword to the United States government in 1843.
Date made
ca 1765
date made
ca 1778
associated person
Washington, George
maker
Bailey, John
ID Number
AF.32010
catalog number
32010
accession number
68016

Sword Presented to Henry W. Lawton

Presented to Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Lawton by the Officers and Men of his Regiment [30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry] on March 4, 1865Henry W. Lawton began the Civil War as an enlisted 90-day volunteer. By the war’s end he was a brevet Colonel.
Description (Brief)
Presented to Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Lawton by the Officers and Men of his Regiment [30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry] on March 4, 1865
Description
Henry W. Lawton began the Civil War as an enlisted 90-day volunteer. By the war’s end he was a brevet Colonel. Lawton received a Medal of Honor for service in Sherman’s Atlanta campaign.
This sword was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Lawton by the officers and men of the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The blade is Damascus steel; it is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller is wide and shallow, and extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The obverse bears a silver eagle surrounded by a scroll pattern, wearing a US shield and holding an "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner in the middle of a large sunburst, all backed in gold chasing. The reverse of the blade features the same design with a "U.S." monogram surrounded by the inscription "For Union / and Liberty." The grip features a silver figure of Nike holding a laurel wreath; she is resting against a piece of gold metal in the shape of a large palm leaf. The knuckle-bow is a brass strip that branches off about half way down the hilt. The strip and branch are adorned in oak leaves and acorns. The branch widens into a large half basket shaped counterguard which is covered in openwork scroll design. This terminates in a quillon in the shape of a dragon's head.
The scabbard is gilded and bears three silvered mounts. The first mount features a medieval trophy design surrounded by laurel wreath and scroll designs. The reverse bears a "US" monogram with similar surroundings. The middle mount features a US shield held by an eagle standing on a globe with an identical laurel and scroll pattern. The bottom mount, which acts as the drag, features another eagle/ US shield design, as well as an ornate engraving of laurel leaves and scrolls. Between the first and second mount a plate with an engraved inscription to Lawton reads “LIEUT. COL. HENRY W. LAWTON / 30th Ind. Vet. Vol Infty. / Presented by the Officers and Men of his Regiment / as a token of confidence and respect. / March 4th 1865” The plate is surrounded by names of the battles he fought: Shiloh / Corinth / Stone River / Chickamauga / Atlanta / Franklin / Nashville. Between the second and first mount is a plate with castings of oak sprays and acorns. The carrying rings to the scabbard with an acorn shaped ring.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
date presented
1865-03-04
recipient
Lawton, Henry W.
maker
Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
W. Clauberg
ID Number
AF.16043 [dup1]
catalog number
16043
accession number
59545

US Soldiers' Children at Sackets Harbor

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908
Associated Date
1908-12-07
ID Number
2018.0166.0022
accession number
2018.0166
catalog number
2018.0166.0022

Sword Presented to William T. Sherman

This sword was presented to William T. Sherman for his service in the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, by Major General H.W. Halleck. The straight double edged blade is engraved with ornate floral and scroll patterns.
Description
This sword was presented to William T. Sherman for his service in the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, by Major General H.W. Halleck. The straight double edged blade is engraved with ornate floral and scroll patterns. It is very pitted in places, but the obverse features the figure of a knight in armor. Only part of the inscription on the reverse of the blade is legible. It shows General Halleck’s letter of recommendation to the Secretary of War and reads:
“...Stanton, Secretary of War- / ...the unanimous opinion here that Brigadier General W.T. Sherman saved the fortune of the day of the 6th and contributed largely to the / ....victory of the 7th. He was in the thickest of the fight on both days having three horses killed under him, & being wounded twice. I respectfully request / that he be made a Major General of Volunteers to date from the 6th instant. - Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H.W. Halleck, Major General / Commanding.”
Inside a hollowed grip, the figure of Athena slays a dragon. On the pommel an eagle rests atop a globe covered with stars. The knuckle-bow is decorated with laurel leaves and a banner which wraps around the top and reads, "PITTSBURGH . LANDING. / April / 6TH& 7TH 1862". Set within an enamel counterguard is Sherman’s monogram "WTS", which is covered in approximately 90 tiny diamonds. On the reverse of the counterguard there are two laurel leaves. The quillon extends away from the counterguard and is in the shape of the head of Ares.
The scabbard is gilded and has three gold mounts. The first bears the head of Ares and two American flags on the obverse. On the reverse of the mount there is a snake. The second and third mounts are decorated with oak leaves. The scabbard has three carrying rings, one on each side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the middle mount.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1864
recipient
Sherman, William Tecumseh
presented by
Halleck, Henry W.
maker
Tiffany & Co.
ID Number
AF.15927
catalog number
15927
accession number
59388

Sam Houston's Hunting Knife

Physical DescriptionSteel with wooden handle. The handle has an eight-point star-shaped plate with “Houston” inscribed on it.Specific HistoryThis hunting knife was owned by Sam Houston.
Description
Physical Description
Steel with wooden handle. The handle has an eight-point star-shaped plate with “Houston” inscribed on it.
Specific History
This hunting knife was owned by Sam Houston. In the mid-19th century, Houston presented the knife to New York lawyer Nicholas Dean.
General History
Sam Houston emerged as a prominent player in the affairs of Texas. Houston was elected commander in chief of the armies of Texas and took control of the Texas forces after the fall of the Alamo. On April 21, 1836, his force defeated Santa Anna and secured Texas independence. Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas. After statehood in 1845, Houston was elected senator from Texas to the Congress of the United States.
associated dates
1800-1850
1850-1870
user
Houston, Sam
recipient
Dean, Nicholas
ID Number
1990.0546.01.01
catalog number
1990.0546.01.01
accession number
1990.0546

Head-Quarters for Army, Navy and Masonic Badges

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1978.0010.10
accession number
1978.0010
catalog number
1978.0010.10
accession number
85357M

Stop Militarism In Our Schools

A poster from the Continential Walk for Disarmament in 1976. Marchers walked from San Francisco to the Pentagon in 1976.
Description
A poster from the Continential Walk for Disarmament in 1976. Marchers walked from San Francisco to the Pentagon in 1976. The Contintential Walk for Disarmament and Social Justice called for "disarmament, a simultaneous shift of economic priorities away from militarism and toward meeting domestic and global human needs, and removal of the causes of war."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
commissioner
War Resisters League
maker
War Resisters League
ID Number
1978.0564.03
accession number
1978.0564
catalog number
1978.0564.03

U.S. Military Academy, West Point

date made
ca 1910
referenced
United States Army. Corps of Cadets
United States Military Academy
maker
Murad Cigarettes
ID Number
1982.0091.141
accession number
1982.0091
catalog number
1982.0091.141

Adams Cottage press, No. 4

This hand cylinder press was made by the Adams Press Company of New York in about 1862.
Description (Brief)
This hand cylinder press was made by the Adams Press Company of New York in about 1862. It is marked in its casting “Patented March 19 1861.” Its bed measures 11.5 inches by 13 inches.
The Adams Cottage Press was patented by Albert Adams in 1861, and manufactured by Joseph Watson operating as the Adams Press Company, New York. The press was advertised as a portable do-it-yourself press for amateurs and businessmen, but its portability soon appealed to the armies and navies of the Civil War. This particular press arrived at the Museum with a traveling chest of type with the painted words, “HEAD QUARTERS, ARMY OF POTOMAC, NO. 6, PRINTING DEPARTMENT.”
Purchased in 1982.
Citation: Elizabeth Harris, "Printing Presses in the Graphic Arts Collection," 1996.
Description
Every Man His Own Printer! advertised the makers of the Lowe and Adams presses. Easy to use, these presses inspired military and amateur printers during and after the Civil War to make use of the portable presses to print military orders, receipts, billheads, and other documents.
Albert Adams's New York cylinder press was described as useful for the armed forces and merchants. It was patented on March 19, 1861, and manufactured and distributed by entrepreneur Joseph Watson and the Adams Press Company in New York.
The Adams Cottage Press was designed without a frisket. The frisket, a separate inner frame hinged to the cloth-covered tympan, served to hold the paper in place and protect the printed sheet. The press included an automatic tympan which closed with the movement of the cylinder. The Adams Cottage Press and other portable presses did not include a self-inking system. The type was inked by hand, a sheet of paper was placed over the inked type, and the bed of the press was cranked below the cylinder to produce an impression and the printed sheet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1861
ca 1862
maker
Adams, Albert
manufacturer
Adams Press Company
ID Number
1982.0203.2740
accession number
1982.0203
catalog number
1982.0203.2740

U.S. Naval Academy

date made
ca 1910
referenced
United States Naval Academy
maker
Murad Cigarettes
ID Number
1982.0091.112
accession number
1982.0091
catalog number
1982.0091.112

G.A.R. Cap

This Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) cap was worn by John Doran-Donahue during organization meetings. The GAR and its counterpart, the United Confederate Veterans, were organizations in which veterans and their families joined to remember the dead and salute the living.
Description
This Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) cap was worn by John Doran-Donahue during organization meetings. The GAR and its counterpart, the United Confederate Veterans, were organizations in which veterans and their families joined to remember the dead and salute the living. These groups were an important facet of veteran life that supplanted wartime camaraderie.
Location
Currently not on view
user
Doran-Donahue, John
manufacturer
Ridabock and Company
associated user
Grand Army of the Republic
maker
Ridabock and Company
ID Number
1979.1267.001
accession number
1979.1267
catalog number
1979.1267.001

#53 Hum-Vs moving in

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2001
2001-09-01
2001-09
maker
Watts, Susan C.
ID Number
2003.0077.15
accession number
2003.0077
catalog number
2003.0077.15

No. 80 Looking down a 16-inch navy rifle tube, Watervliet Arsenal, NY

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1944
maker
Feininger, Andreas
ID Number
1990.0160.023
accession number
1990.0160
catalog number
1990.0160.023

diary

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
associated dates
1863 01 01+ / 1863 01 01+, 1863 12 31- / 1863 12 31-
ID Number
1993.3005.01
catalog number
1993.3005.01
accession number
1993.3005

Lt. j.g. Robert G. Hall

Black and white photograph of Lt. Junior Grade Robert G. Hall in his Navy uniform.Currently not on view
Description
Black and white photograph of Lt. Junior Grade Robert G. Hall in his Navy uniform.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1944
ID Number
2006.0199.01
accession number
2006.0199
catalog number
2006.0199.01

To the Cadets of the West Point Military Academy, May 15, 1828

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1828
associated date
1830 - 1840
1828 05 15
Associated Name
United States Military Academy
artist
Catlin, George
colorist
Hill, John
ID Number
AF.60055M
catalog number
60055M
accession number
224396

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