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. White field with a red square applique in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. There are two inscriptions on the hoist: one side reads "1st Brg 1st Div 25th Army Corps" and the reverse side reads "R.C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red square applique in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. There are two inscriptions on the hoist: one side reads "1st Brg 1st Div 25th Army Corps" and the reverse side reads "R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25255H
catalog number
25255H
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 3rd Brg 20 Army Corps Dept.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 3rd Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C.Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250DD
catalog number
25250DD
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with an orange (or faded red) cotton applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled panel seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with an orange (or faded red) cotton applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled panel seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila. CAVALRY Corps Army POTOMAC 1st Brg 1st Div."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25229E
catalog number
25229E
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white inverted crescent surrounding a five-point star in the center of the flag. White canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "Brg/Art'y 7th Army Corps." Machine-stitched flat-felled seams.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white inverted crescent surrounding a five-point star in the center of the flag. White canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "Brg/Art'y 7th Army Corps." Machine-stitched flat-felled seams. Star and crescent applique are machine-stitched. Hand-basted, overcast stitch at tail.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25237B
catalog number
25237B
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white pentagonal cross applique or insert. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white pentagonal cross applique or insert. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R C Toy 49.N.9th Phila 22 Army Corps 3rd Brg 2nd Div".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252K
catalog number
25252K
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Horizontal bicolor design. The top half of the flag is red and the bottom half of the flag is white. In the center of the flag is a blue applique of two crossed swords.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Horizontal bicolor design. The top half of the flag is red and the bottom half of the flag is white. In the center of the flag is a blue applique of two crossed swords. A blue number "1" is stenciled in pigment paint above the swords (on the red ground) and a red number "1" is stenciled in pigment paint below the swords (on the white ground). White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "[illegible] 1st Div Cavalry. Command. Div. of Miss."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25293C
catalog number
25293C
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red heptagon applique in the center of the flag. The sides of the heptagon are concave and the center is cutout in a circle (meaning that the white circle in the center is the ground fabric).
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red heptagon applique in the center of the flag. The sides of the heptagon are concave and the center is cutout in a circle (meaning that the white circle in the center is the ground fabric). Green laurel leaf painted inside the white circle. White paint on applique outlines red spears that radiate from the circle to each of the seven angles in the heptagon. Blue cotton five-point star on center hoist. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the front of the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Veteran Army Corps." The inscription on the reverse of the hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49.N.9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25258C
catalog number
25258C
accession number
64127
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with wide white border around all edges except the hoist. White acorn in center of field. To the viewer's left of the acorn, near the hoist, are two vertically arranged white cotton stars. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Red field with wide white border around all edges except the hoist. White acorn in center of field. To the viewer's left of the acorn, near the hoist, are two vertically arranged white cotton stars. White cotton hoist. Machine stitching. White threads. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 2nd Brg 14th Army Corps R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25244V
catalog number
25244V
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue cotton applique of two crossed swords. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue cotton applique of two crossed swords. White cotton hoist with no grommets. Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. The inscription on the hoist reads "RC Toy 49 N 9th Phila CAVALRY Corps Army POTOMAC 3rd Brg 3rd Div."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25229R
catalog number
25229R
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue cross bottony. White hoist with no grommets; an inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 3rd Div 18th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border on all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue cross bottony. White hoist with no grommets; an inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 3rd Div 18th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." Machine stitching; flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25248Q
catalog number
25248Q
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the sides of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. Each corner forms a blue triangle; the sides of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N. 9th Phila 22 Army Corps Brg 4th 1st Div".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252H
catalog number
25252H
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a blue fan-leaved cross with an octagonal center (similar to a Maltese cross). White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg. 3rd Div. 19th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249II
catalog number
25249II
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with yellow fringe on all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white arrow applique; the arrow is horizontal and points toward the fly. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with yellow fringe on all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag is a white arrow applique; the arrow is horizontal and points toward the fly. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 1st Brg 17 Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25247I
catalog number
25247I
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white six-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Brg/Arty 8 Army Corps... [illegible]".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white six-point star in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Brg/Arty 8 Army Corps... [illegible]".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25238B
catalog number
25238B
accession number
64127
Physical Description:Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with hand-stitched white shield in the center of the flag. In the shield is a blue anchor crossed with a red cannon. The cannon surmounts the anchor. Anchor and cannon are hand-stitched and are probably cotton.
Description
Physical Description:
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Blue field with hand-stitched white shield in the center of the flag. In the shield is a blue anchor crossed with a red cannon. The cannon surmounts the anchor. Anchor and cannon are hand-stitched and are probably cotton. Unbleached cotton pole sleeve with a metal grommet at each end. The pole sleeve has an inscription which reads "9th Corps/2nd DIV/BRIG Head/quarters FROM/Wm. F. Scheible/Philada. Pa/Contract March 23, 1865." Machine-stitched flag panels with flat-felled seams. Selvage edges on top and bottom of flag.
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
contract date
1865-03-23
maker
William F. Scheible
ID Number
AF.25285B
catalog number
25285B
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 2nd Brg Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue border on the hoist edge. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 2nd Brg Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250CC
catalog number
25250CC
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a red pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila 22 Army Corps 1st Div".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with a red pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila 22 Army Corps 1st Div".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252D
catalog number
25252D
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div 1st Brg 20th Army Corps Dept of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Div 1st Brg 20th Army Corps Dept of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250T
catalog number
25250T
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red crossed swords in the center of the flag (the red has faded and now appears orange). Blue border around all three sides of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist: "R. C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red crossed swords in the center of the flag (the red has faded and now appears orange). Blue border around all three sides of the flag. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist: "R. C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila CAVALRY Corps Army POTOMAC 3rd Brg 1st Div".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25229H
catalog number
25229H
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red pie-shaped triangles forming each corner. The edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red pie-shaped triangles forming each corner. The edges of the triangles facing the center of the flag are convex. In the center of the flag is a blue five-point star. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div. 4th Brg. 20th Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using white cotton threads.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250R
catalog number
25250R
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white X, or St. Andrew's cross, in the center of the field. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Brg/Arty 6 Army Corps [very faint maker's mark follows this]".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a white X, or St. Andrew's cross, in the center of the field. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "Brg/Arty 6 Army Corps [very faint maker's mark follows this]".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25228B
catalog number
25228B
accession number
64127
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Flag shape resembles that of a banner, with one long side and one short side. White field with blue square in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Flag shape resembles that of a banner, with one long side and one short side. White field with blue square in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 25th Army Corps." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25255O
catalog number
25255O
accession number
64127
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. A red number "1" is stenciled in red paint on top of the crossed swords. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a blue applique of two crossed swords in the center of the flag. A red number "1" is stenciled in red paint on top of the crossed swords. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg. 3rd Div. Cavalry. Command." Machine stitching; flat-felled panel seam.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25260K
catalog number
25260K
accession number
64127
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two blue crossed stripes; the stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. Between the hoist and where the stripes cross is a white cotton number "19" applique.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. Red field with two blue crossed stripes; the stripes cross at the fork in the swallowtail. Between the hoist and where the stripes cross is a white cotton number "19" applique. White cotton canvas hoist with an inscription that reads "[illegible] N 9th Phila 19th Army Corps Chief Q.M." Machine stitching.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25249T
catalog number
25249T
accession number
64127

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