Military - Overview
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.
"Military - Overview" showing 95 items.
Page 1 of 10
Virginia Manufactory Pistol 1st Model
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock First Model pistol was made by the Virginia Manufactory for the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is iron mounted and fastens at the forend with a double strap barrel band. This pistol has a large gooseneck hammer. It also has a brass blade sight brazed to the lower strap of the barrel band. The ramrod is iron with a bulbous head. It has been reconverted from percussion.
- This pistol is stamped “VIRGINIA” under the pan and “MANUFACTORY” is script under Virginia. “RICHMOND/1808” is stamped at rear of lockplate. There is a raised “P” on the pistol.
- History:
- The Virginia Manufactory is also known as the Richmond Armory and the Virginia State Armory. It was established by the Act of 1797 to manufacture arms for the state militia. It was built along the James River and was initially in production from 1802 through 1820. The man who was in charge of the armory was James Haslett. He was formerly employed by Robert McCormick. He was recommended for the job by Colonel John Shee, a surgeon from Philadelphia who served in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion. He wrote to the Governor of Virginia that they would “be enabled to engage Haslett…for the Richmond Armory.” The Armory reopened in 1860 for production during the Civil War.
- This specific type of pistol is the largest American martial handgun ever made. The Virginia Manufactory cut down defective musket barrels from the iron mountings for these pistols. The raised “P” is in the place of typical Virginia regiment mark “4,V,A, REGT.”
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 200.
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 240.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1808
- associated date
- 1808
- maker
- Virginia State Armory
- ID Number
- 1986.0024.08
- accession number
- 1986.0024
- catalog number
- 1986.0024.08
- collector/donor number
- P47L
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Virginia Manufactory Pistol Second Model
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .54 caliber smoothbore flintlock 2nd Model pistol was made by the Virginia Manufactory. It was modeled after the Harpers Ferry Model 1805. It has brass mountings, a walnut half stock and is wedge fastened. It has an iron rib under the barrel with a wooden ramrod with swelled tip.
- It is stamped “VIRGINIA” and “RICHMOND/1812” on the lockplate. “P” is stamped inside the lockplate and so is “VIII” and “8”. The walnut stock is stamped “RI”.
- History:
- The Virginia Manufactory is also known as the Richmond Armory and the Virginia State Armory. It was established by the Act of 1797 to manufacture arms for the state militia. It was built along the James River and was initially in production from 1802 through 1820. The man who was in charge of the armory was James Haslett. He was formerly employed by McCormick. He was recommended for the job by Colonel John Shee, a surgeon from Philadelphia who served in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion. He wrote to the Governor of Virginia that they would “be enabled to engage Haslett…for the Richmond Armory.” The Armory reopened in 1860 for production during the Civil War.
- It is a rare pistol type made with a hickory ramrod. Fewer than 300 wooden ramrods were made after 1812 because the iron swivel type was favored. There are cuts in the iron rib to make it easier to get the ramrod.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 200.
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 242.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1812
- associated date
- 1812
- maker
- Virginia State Armory
- ID Number
- 1987.0014.22
- accession number
- 1987.0014
- catalog number
- 1987.0014.22
- collector/donor number
- P114L
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Virgina Manufactory Pistol, 2nd Model
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .54 caliber smoothbore flintlock pistol 2nd Model was made by the Virginia State Armory in Richmond Virginia. It is wedge fastened, has an iron rib under the barrel, a walnut half stock, and a swivel type ramrod with button head. It has a brass ramrod pipe, buttplate and trigger guard.
- The lock plate is stamped “RICHMOND” under the flashpan and “1815” at the rear. “77” is stamped on the left side of the barrel. The inside of the lock plate is stamped “V”.
- History:
- The Virginia Manufactory is also known as the Richmond Armory and the Virginia State Armory. It was established by the Act of 1797 to manufacture arms for the state militia. It was built along the James River and was initially in production from 1802 through 1820. The man who was in charge of the armory was James Haslett. He was formerly employed by McCormick. He was recommended for the job by Colonel John Shee, a surgeon from Philadelphia who served in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion. He wrote to the Governor of Virginia that the state would “be enabled to engage Haslett…for the Richmond Armory.” The Armory reopened in 1860 for production during the Civil War.
- The Virginia Manufactory was one of the only companies to issue only one pistol. This practice was called the single pistol theory. It was based on the economy and the belief that a sword was more important to a cavalryman than a pistol.
- This pistol has two differences from other pistols with this date. It has a thicker and straighter grip and the lock marking lacks the typical “VIRGINIA” stamp.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 200.
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 246.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1815
- maker
- Virginia Manufactory
- ID Number
- 1987.0014.30
- catalog number
- 1987.0014.30
- accession number
- 1987.0014
- collector/donor number
- P179L
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Dragoon Pistol
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock U.S. Light Dragoon Pistol was made by James Hunter’s Rappahannock Forge for the Continental Army. The pistol has brass mountings and a gooseneck hammer. It has a bulbous hexagonal shaped butt.
- The lockplate is stamped “RAPA/FORGE” and is marked “FK K VIII” on the inside. The barrel is stamped “I. HUNTER”. The numerals “VIIII” are stamped on the inside of the brass mountings
- History:
- Rappahannock Forge is also referred to as the Hunter’s Iron Works. It was built before the American Revolution by James Hunter of Stafford County, along the Rappahannock River in Virginia. The only official record of his communication with the Council of Safety deals with horseman’s swords.
- This pistol is very similar to other Rappahannock Forge pistols. It is thought that only the 3rd Regiment marked their pistols because those are the only found with markings. This particular pistol was found in a house in Brookline, Ma in 1967. It was purchased by Arnold Mills then sold to the Bitter Collection.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 157.
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 58.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1780
- maker
- Hunter, James
- ID Number
- 1989.0149.02
- accession number
- 1989.0149
- catalog number
- 1989.0149.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Filling canteens at the old well on Battlefield of Bull Run. Active no. 6510. [stereo photonegative.]
- Notes
- Currently stored in box 1.1.28 [160A], moved from [155]
- Date
- 1895
- 1900-1910
- publisher
- Underwood & Underwood
- photographer
- White, Ray
- publisher
- H.C. White Co
- Local number
- RSN 5091
- Video number 03875
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
Confederate Army Frock Coat, Model 1861
- Description
- This Confederate Army frock coat would have been worn during the American Civil War. It is a single breasted gray wool frock coat with eight brass State of Virginia buttons down the front. The buttons depict the Virginia state motto of "Sic Semper Tyrannis" around an image of Virtus standing over a defeated Tyranny. The bottom button on the chest is missing, and two buttons are missing on the back waist. There are two locations with missing buttons on the back of the skirt. There are three smaller brass buttons on the right cuff and two on the left cuff. The top button is missing on the left cuff. There are cloth belt loops on each side just above the waist and secured with a small button on the upper end of the loop. There is single breast pocket in the left inside of the coat. The coat is fully lined with padded wool. Sleeves are lined with a polka-dotted fabric. The same fabric is used to make a fabric loop on the inside collar.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated dates
- 1861-1865
- ID Number
- 1983.0860.01
- catalog number
- 1983.0860.01
- accession number
- 1983.0860
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Dance card
- 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.
- date made
- 1929
- ID Number
- 2006.0098.1341
- catalog number
- 2006.0098.1341
- accession number
- 2006.0098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Presented to James Crall
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Major James Crall by the non-commissioned officers and privates of the 82nd Ohio Regiment
- Description
- James S. Crall was an officer of the 82nd Ohio Infantry Regiment throughout the Civil War. He mustered out with his regiment in July, 1865.
- The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade, and both sides are decorated in floral designs in silver chasing. The obverse features US arms, a banner reading "E PLURIBUS / UNUM", an eagle, a small etched scene with a field and mountains, and the inscription “MAJOR / JAMES S. CRALL / 182d. REG. / OHIO VOL.” The grip is cylindrical. On the obverse, there is a cast of Columbia holding a sword in her right hand and a US shield in her left. The reverse is decorated with a "US" monogram that is surrounded in scroll and floral designs. The pommel bears oak scrolls on the bottom and is surmounted by an eagle standing on a ball. The knuckle guard is a thin strip of gold metal decorated in oak scrolls. The counterguard is decorated in casting of military trophies, including a US shield and a liberty pole and cap. All of this terminates in a quillon which extends downward toward the blade and bears a scroll pattern.
- The scabbard bears three gold mounts, two of which are decorated with war trophies and the third with a US cavalryman. The reverse of the mounts feature scroll designs. Between the first two mounts is the inscription “PRESENTED TO / Major Games S. Crall / BY THE / NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS / & PRIVATES OF THE 82nd REGT. O.V. IN. / FOR / MERITORIOUS CONDUCT DISPLAYED ON THE / BATTLE FIELDS OF / Manassas Plains, Chancellorsville / & Gettysburg.” There are two carrying rings on this scabbard. They are found on the right side of the top two mounts. The carrying rings are gripped by castings of a hands.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1864
- recipient
- Crall, James S.
- maker
- W. Clauberg
- ID Number
- AF*25460 [dup1]
- catalog number
- 25460
- accession number
- 64204
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Presented to Frank Wheaton
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Brevet Major General Frank Wheaton by the State of Rhode Island through Governor James Y. Smith, January 1865
- Description
- Presented to Frank Wheaton by the state of Rhode Island in 1865, the blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. It is decorated in gold and silver chasing on both sides. The obverse features a "US" monogram and a US shield of arms, while the reverse features and eagle, a face, and a cluster of military trophies. Both sides are also heavily decorated in floral and scroll patterns. The grip of the sword is a woman, perhaps Columbia or Nike, wearing a toga with her right arm raised; originally her right hand held a laurel wreath. There are two stars on her toga. The sword lacks a pommel and knuckle guard. There are two quillons and a counterguard. The smaller quillon is a simple scroll shape, while the larger quillon extends half way up the hilt, and is the same height as the woman figure's waist. This quillon features a very large purple amethyst, surrounded by casts of four cherubs. The counterguard bears a large blue enamel medallion with the initials "FW" cast in the center. The medallion is surrounded by a large laurel wreath and ribbon.
- The scabbard has three gold mounts. The first mount features the seal of Rhode Island on the obverse and a dagger between laurel leaves on the reverse. The second bears a medieval trophy of arms on the obverse and a shield inscribed with the monogram "US" on the reverse. The third mount bears a spray of oak leaves on both sides. Between the second and third mounts is the inscription “BREVET MAJOR GENERAL FRANK WHEATON U.S.V. / For gallant and meritorious service during the war, and especially in the battles of / OPEQUAN, FISHERS HILL AND MIDDLETOWN / BY / The State of Rhode Island THROUGH James Y. Smith Governor, / in conformity with a RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY passed at its Jan'y Session / A.D. 1865” The scabbard has three carrying rings, one on each side of the first mount, and one on the right side of the second mount.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1865
- associated date
- 1865
- recipient
- Wheaton, Frank
- maker
- Collins & Co.
- ID Number
- AF*34845A
- catalog number
- 34845
- accession number
- 84827
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Presented to A. H. Foster
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Captain A.H. Foster by Company D of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteers Regiment on February 8, 1862.
- Description
- Albert H Foster mustered in as a Captain of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment on Oct. 12, 1861. He mustered out on Oct. 20, 1864.
- The blade of this Model 1850 presentation sword is single edged and slightly curved. There is a broad, shallow fuller on three quarters of the blade. Floral designs and military trophies decorate both sides. There is an eagle on the obverse and a "US" monogram on the reverse. The shark skin grip is wrapped 14 times with a thin gold metal wire. The counterguard is an ornate sculpture of three parallel gold strips connected with floral sprays and laurel leaves and a “US” monogram. The reverse of the counterguard is a small gold ova. The quillon is a basic solid spiral decorated with a palm leaf engraving on the front.
- The scabbard is gold plated and has two simple, thin gold mounts decorated with laurel leaves. Between the mounts are ornate scroll designs and the inscription “Presented to / Capt. A. H. Foster Co. D. 25 REG. Mass. Vo. / BY / HIS COMPANY / As a token of their regard and esteem for him. / and for his bravery at the battle of Roanoke. / Feb. 8th 1862.” Between the second mount and the drag, there is a complex military trophy and floral spray engraving. The reverse of the scabbard bears no decoration. The scabbard has two carrying rings—one on the right side of the top mount, and the other on the right side of the middle mount.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1862
- date presented
- 1862
- recipient
- Foster, Albert H.
- maker
- Ames Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- AF*5836 [dup1]
- catalog number
- 5836
- accession number
- 24418
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
