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: Pennsylvania

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. An inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 11 Army Corps R. C. Toy [illegible]." Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Hand stitching at fly.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red crescent in the center of the flag. Undyed cotton hoist with no grommets. An inscription on the hoist reads "1st Brg 1st Div 11 Army Corps R. C. Toy [illegible]." Machine stitching; flat-felled seams. Hand stitching at fly. Natural/undyed cotton threads.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25242E
catalog number
25242E
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a dark green five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 1st Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Red field with a dark green five-point star in the center of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "4th Div 1st Brg 20 Army Corps Dept. of/Cumberland R.C. Toy 49 N 9th Phila." The flag is machine-stitched with flat-felled seams using red and white cotton thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25250FF
catalog number
25250FF
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 21st Army Corps

Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. Two inch gold fringe is machine sewn onto all sides of the flag except for the hoist.
Description
Rectangular wool bunting flag. Horizontal tricolor design is red on top, white in middle, and blue on the bottom. Two inch gold fringe is machine sewn onto all sides of the flag except for the hoist. In the center of the white band is a painted black (or brown--very faded) eagle with a shield on its breast. The number "21" is inscribed in the shield. White canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "Headquarters 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.25251A
catalog number
25251A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white shield applique in the center of the flag. Painted on the shield is a red cannon diagonally crossed with a painted blue anchor (the cannon surmounts the anchor). White hoist with no grommets. Flat-felled center seam.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white shield applique in the center of the flag. Painted on the shield is a red cannon diagonally crossed with a painted blue anchor (the cannon surmounts the anchor). White hoist with no grommets. Flat-felled center seam. Inscription on hoist reads "1st Brg 2nd Div 9 Army Corps R.C. Toy... [illegible]".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25270N
catalog number
25270N
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Department of West Virginia

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is an eagle, in flight, with an olive branch and three arrows in its talons. The eagle is painted in white pigment paint and faces the hoist of the flag.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white border around all sides except the hoist. In the center of the flag is an eagle, in flight, with an olive branch and three arrows in its talons. The eagle is painted in white pigment paint and faces the hoist of the flag. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Brg 3rd Div Dept. of. West Va." The flag has machine-stitching and flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25261M
catalog number
25261M
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 17th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with yellow fringe on all edges except for the hoist. In the center of the flag are two diagonally crossed white arrows; the arrows point towards the fly. White canvas 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 are two diagonally crossed white arrows; the arrows point towards the fly. White canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "2nd Div 2nd Brg 17 Army Corps R.C. Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." Arrow applique and fringe are machine-stitched. Flag panels are machine-stitched with flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25247J
catalog number
25247J
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Quartermaster, 1st Division, 25th Army Corps

Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. White field with two diagonal blue stripes (or bends). Each bend starts at one end of the hoist, crossing at the fork, and extending to the opposite swallowtail. Offset towards the hoist is a red square applique.
Description
Wool bunting tapered swallowtail flag. White field with two diagonal blue stripes (or bends). Each bend starts at one end of the hoist, crossing at the fork, and extending to the opposite swallowtail. Offset towards the hoist is a red square applique. White cotton hoist with no grommets. The hoist has two inscriptions: one side reads "Q.M. 1st Div 25th Army Corps" while the reverse reads "R.C. Toy 49.N.9th Phila." The flag has flat-felled seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25255C
catalog number
25255C
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps

Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. In the middle of the flag is a blue cross in the shape of a circle. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are curved, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets.
Description
Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. In the middle of the flag is a blue cross in the shape of a circle. The cross resembles a Maltese cross whose outer edges are curved, forming a circle. White hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Div 3rd Brg 16 Army Corps R C Toy 49 N th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25246Q
catalog number
25246Q
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi

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 cotton 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 cotton applique of two crossed swords. Above the cross in the swords is a number "2" stenciled in blue pigment paint. Below the cross in the swords is a number "2" stenciled in red pigment paint. White hoist with no grommets; rope threaded through hoist. There is an inscription on each side of the hoist; one side reads "1st Brg 2nd Div Cavalry Command Div. of Miss" while the reverse reads "RC Toy 49 n 9th Phila."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25293F
catalog number
25293F
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 1st Veteran Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white applique in center of the flag. The applique is a circle with seven fan-leaf shapes radiating from the circle; the edges of these spokes are concave. The overall effect is that of a heptagon.
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white applique in center of the flag. The applique is a circle with seven fan-leaf shapes radiating from the circle; the edges of these spokes are concave. The overall effect is that of a heptagon. Painted on the applique is a US shield (bottom is red and white stripes; top is blue with stars) surrounded by green laurel leaves. White spears radiating from circle applique in between the fan-leaves (the spears are the ground fabric and are outlined by black paint). White cotton hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the front side of the hoist reads "Corps Headquarters 1st Veterans Army Corps." The inscription on the reverse of the hoist reads "R.C Toy 49 N. 9th Phila." Machine-stitched seams.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25258A
catalog number
25258A
accession number
64127

Lithograph of bird species "Ericornis Melanura and Scytalopus Fuscus"

Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original illustration by William Dreser
Description (Brief)
Thomas Sinclair (ca 1805-1881) of Philadelphia produced this chromolithographic print of "Ericornis melanura [Gray] adult and Scytalopus fuscus [Gould],” now "Chilia melanura" (Crag chilia), and "Scytalopus fuscus" (Dusky tapaculo), from an original illustration by William Dreser (ca 1820, fl. 1849-1860). The image was published as Plate XXI in Volume 2, following page 188 of Appendix F (Zoology-Birds) by John Cassin (1813-1869) in the report describing "The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the Years 1849, 1850, 1851, and 1852" by James M. Gillis (1811-1865). The volume was printed in 1855 by A. O. P. Nicholson (1808-1876) of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1855
graphic artist
Sinclair, Thomas
original artist
Dreser, William
printer
Nicholson, A. O. P.
publisher
United States Navy
author
Cassin, John
Gilliss, James Melville
ID Number
2008.0175.05
accession number
2008.0175
catalog number
2008.0175.05

Designating Flag, Headquarters, 22nd Army Corps

Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. On the cross, the number "22" is painted in red. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila 22 Army Corps Headquarters".Currently not on view
Description
Wool bunting swallowtail flag. Blue field with a white pentagonal cross in the center of the flag. On the cross, the number "22" is painted in red. White hoist with no grommets. Inscription on hoist reads "R C Toy 49 N 9th Phila 22 Army Corps Headquarters".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1897
maker
Robert C. Toy
ID Number
AF.25252A
catalog number
25252A
accession number
64127

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 25th Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

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

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac

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

Designating Flag, Artillery Brigade, 7th Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 22nd Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 1st Brig, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi

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

Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 1st Veteran Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac

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

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 4th Brigade, 1st Division, 22nd Army Corps

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

Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps

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

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.