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 25 items.
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Sword Presented to Frank Wheaton
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to General Frank Wheaton by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 2d Regt R.I. Volunteers on Dec. 13th 1862.
- Description
- Frank (Francis) Wheaton started his military career on the frontier in the 1850s. When the Civil War began he was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. By war’s end he was a brevet Major General in the volunteer Army.
- The blade is long, slightly curved, and double edged. It is decorated with military trophies and floral and scroll designs in gilt and silver chasing. The obverse features an eagle holding an "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner, and the reverse bears a "US" monogram. The grip of the nickel plated with a piece of gilded wire that wraps around it in a spiral approximately ten times. The pommel bears the cast of an eagle surrounded by scroll designs on the side. The pommel cap is missing. The knuckle guard is a thin strip of gold metal with floral sprays at the top. There are a number of red jewels on the counterguard. Six of these jewels are found between scrolls, and five of them form a flower between two scrolls. The quillon is shaped like the head of a dragon, and extends down towards the blade.
- The scabbard bears four gold mounts. The first two mounts are almost identical. Both bear two sets of floral sprays in a diamond shape. The top mount features seven red jewels, and the middle mount features six. There is a casting of an anchor between the second mount and the drag. The drag bears a cluster of military trophies and nine red stones. The obverse of the scabbard is inscribed ” Malvern Hill. / BULL RUN. / WILLIAMSBURGH. / Seven Ringes. / ANTIETAM. / FREDRICKSBURGH.” The reverse is inscribed “Presented to / Genl. Frank Wheaton, / by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates / of the 2d Regt R.W. Volunteers. / As a token of Regard and Esteem. while their Colonel/ Dec. 13th 1862.” between the top two mounts. There are two carrying rings on the piece, one on the right side of the top two mounts.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1862
- date presented
- 1862-12-13
- recipient
- Wheaton, Frank
- maker
- W. Clauberg
- ID Number
- AF*34844
- catalog number
- 34844
- accession number
- 84827
- 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 George Batcheller
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to George Batcheller by the 1st Brigade of Cavalry, New York on April 9th, 1866.
- Description
- George Sherman Batcheller raised a company of New York volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War. By the war’s end he was appointed Inspector General of the Volunteers and National Guard of New York.
- The blade of this sword is slightly curved and single edged. It has a shallow, wide fuller that runs along its length. There are silver decorations on a gold backdrop on both sides of the blade. On the obverse, there are floral sprays and scroll designs. There is an engraving that reads, "One and Inseparable" and on the base of the blade there is an engraving of a canon and three flags. The reverse also has a canon and flag design on the base, and floral sprays. The monogram "US" is engraved in the middle of the decorations, and there is an eagle perched on the top of it. The eagle holds a scroll in its beak reading, "E PLURIBUS / UNUM". The grip of the sword is a figure of Athena slaying a dragon with her sword. The knuckle guard consists of a gold chain and a bust of a cherub, and it terminates in a small quillon in a scroll design. The gold chain attaches at the top of the grip near the goddess’ shoulder and at the bottom on the neck of the cherub. The counterguard is a gold plated ovular shape. The obverse has the initials "GB" cast in the center. The monogram is covered with approximately 24 small diamonds. Scroll designs surround the cast. The reverse of the counterguard is a simple scroll design.
- The scabbard is gold plated and has three gold mounts. The first mount features a medallion with a diamond encrusted star. Under the medallion is an eagle with its wings spread perched atop a shield with a stars and stripes theme. To either side of the medallion are laurel sprays, and on top there are two flags and an axe. Between the mount is the inscription “1st Brigade of Cavalry / to / Genl. G.S. Batcheller / April 9th 1866.” The middle mount features two gold laurel wreaths with a small gold rope tying them together. The drag has a very simple laurel spray design. There are two carrying rings on the mount, 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 1866
- associated date
- 1866
- recipient
- Batcheller, George Sherman
- maker
- W. Clauberg
- ID Number
- AF*36873
- catalog number
- 36873
- accession number
- 112477
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Voted to Winfield S. Hancock
- Description (Brief)
- Voted to Major General Winfield S. Hancock at the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair in St. Louis, Missouri on June 4th, 1864.
- Description
- This sword was voted to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock at the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair in St. Louis, MO on June 4th, 1864. The fair was one of many fundraisers for the United States Sanitary Commission, a private relief organization that supported army hospitals and sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Visitors to the fair gave donations to “vote” for their favorite general.
- The blade of this sword is long, straight, and singled-edged. The fuller is broad and flat, and extends almost to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in gold and silver chasing in floral and scroll designs. On the obverse is a "US" monogram and a Union soldier. On the reverse is a cluster of military trophies and a soldier. The grip is four sided. On the side faces, there is a single line of beadwork, and on the front and back faces are figures of a woman holding a sword in her right hand and a standard in her left. The pommel bears a cast eagle. The knuckle guard consists of two sprays of laurel leaves arranged in the form of a bow. In the center of the knuckle guard is Nike holding a laurel wreath. The quillon terminates above the blade in the shape of a lion's head. The counterguard features a laurel wreath on the front, and is inscribed “VOTED TO / MAJ. GEN. W.S. HANCOCK / AT THE / MISSISSIPPI / VALLEY / SANITARY / FAIR / ST. LOUIS JUNE 4 1864.”
- The scabbard has three gold mounts. The first mount bears an eagle surrounded in gold stars encrusted in diamonds (36 diamonds total), all set on a blue enamel background flanked by two standards and surmounted by two palm sprays. The reverse of this mount bears a sword wrapped in a laurel wreath. The middle mount features an oval shield with a "US" monogram cast in the center, and a Greek helmet, sword, and laurel spray. The drag features a laurel wreath, a battle axe, and a lion's head. There are three carrying rings on this scabbard, 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
- date given
- 1864-06-04
- recipient
- Hancock, Winfield Scott
- maker
- Tiffany & Co.
- maker of blade
- Collins & Co.
- ID Number
- AF*37219 [dup1]
- catalog number
- 37219
- accession number
- 115588
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Presented to James M. Green
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Major James M. Green by Company F of the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment in 1862
- Description
- James M. Green joined the 48th New York Infantry as a Captain in command of Company ‘F’ in 1861. He was presented this sword by Company ‘F’ when promoted to Major in June 1862. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December, 1862. Green was killed in an assault on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863.
- The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about three quarters of the way to the top of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The obverse depicts a classical soldier and floral sprays and is inscribed “Presented to Major James M. Green, 48th Reg. N.Y.S.V. / by the Members of Company F.” The reverse depicts a Union soldier, a "U.S." monogram, and a variety of floral sprays. The grip of the sword is ovular and has a spiral shape. There is a wire chain wrapped around the grip in a spiral. The pommel features a casting of the US shield, and on the top there is a large burgundy garnet. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with laurel sprays and scroll designs.
- The scabbard is made of metal that has been painted brown in a wood pattern, and has three gold mounts. The top two mounts are identical, and each bear a casting of a scroll design surrounded by palm leaves with a ring of laurel leaves that cuts across the center. The drag features an eagle casting, along with a scroll design that is similar to the other mounts. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the two top mounts.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1882
- recipient
- Green, James M.
- maker of blade
- Collins & Co.
- maker of sword
- Miller & Co.
- ID Number
- AF*37822 [dup1]
- catalog number
- 37822
- accession number
- 117934
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword presented to William Allen
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Lieutenant William Allen by the employees of E.T. Sinker & Company
- Description
- William Allen served as a Second Lieutenant in the 132nd Indian Infantry Regiment, one of the 100 Days volunteer regiments organized near the end of the Civil War. The regiment was mustered in May, 1864 and served as Railroad Guard in Tennessee and Alabama. It mustered out in September, 1864. The sword was a gift to Allen from his colleagues at E.T. Sinker & Co., an Indianapolis firm that manufactured steam engines and other machinery.
- This Model 1850 Staff and Field Officer's Sword has a long, single-edged, slightly curved blade. The fuller extends about two thirds of the way to the top of the blade, and both sides are decorated in floral designs in a silver chasing. The obverse features an eagle with spread wings holding a banner reading "E PLURIBUS UNUM". The reverse bears the monogram "US". Both sides of the blade feature a military trophy design that includes a few flags, a liberty pole and cap, and a US shield. The grip is a cylindrical shape and bears a laurel leaf design and is wrapped in a spiral in gilt wire. The pommel features a leaf design on its edge that is similar to the grip. The rest of the pommel is plain. The knuckle guard is a brass strip that branches off twice to form the counterguard, which is a half basket shape. There are floral castings and a "US" monogram in the space between the branches. All of this terminates in a quillon that is shaped like a water drop and is covered in a palm leaf design on the top.
- The scabbard is metal stained brown to look like wood. It bears three gold mounts. All of the mounts feature an engraving of a flower surrounded by a very simple circle design. The throat of the scabbard bears a similar design. The first mount bears the inscription “Presented to / Lient. WmAllen / by / the / Employees / of E.T. SINKER & Co.” The sword features two carrying rings, one on the right side of each of the top two mounts.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1860
- recipient
- Allen, William
- maker
- W. Clauberg
- ID Number
- AF*39758
- catalog number
- 39758
- accession number
- 139429
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Presented to Levi Force
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Captain L. Force by his Company
- Description
- Formerly a sergeant in the regular army, Levi Force enlisted as a private in Company ‘C’ of the 179th New York Volunteer Infantry in April, 1864. By August he was promoted to Captain and mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. This sword was presented to him by the men of his Company.
- The blade of this Model 1850 presentation sword is long, curved, and single edged. The fuller is broad and shallow, and extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated with scroll designs in silver chasing. The obverse bears an eagle holding an "E PLURIBUS UNUM" banner, and the reverse bears a "U.S." monogram. The grip of the sword is cylindrical and has a metal gilt wire that wraps around it in a spiral. The pommel features oak spray castings on the sides and a scroll design on the top. The knuckle guard is a strip of gold metal with floral sprays. The counterguard is half basket shaped and bears an eagle with a US shield and oak and laurel sprays. The knuckle guard terminates in a quillon in the shape of an eagle's head.
- The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount bears a casting of Columbia holding a sword and a US shield. The second mount bears military trophies. The third mount features a Union soldier carrying a flag. The reverse of the first mount bears the inscription “Presented to / Capt. L. Force / By his Company”. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of each of the top two mounts
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1865
- associated person
- Force, Levi
- maker
- W. Clauberg
- ID Number
- AF*41929
- catalog number
- 41929
- accession number
- 149376
- 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
Sword Presented to Leonard A. Harris
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to Colonel Leonard A. Harris by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Militia
- Description
- Leonard A. Harris served as a captain in the three months’ service 1st Ohio Infantry at First Manassas, and as a colonel in the three years’ service 2nd Ohio Infantry at the Battle of Perryville. He resigned due to illness in December, 1862.
- The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller extends about three quarters of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver chasing with scroll designs and depictions of battlefields. The ricasso bears an etched portrait of George Washington. The grip is metal and is wrapped approximately sixteen times with gilt wire in a spiral. The pommel features a floral design on the front and a cast medieval helmet on the top. The knuckle guard is of silver metal. The top is twisted in a spiral and straightens as it reaches the counterguard.
- The scabbard bears three silver metal mounts. The top mount features an eagle on a medallion surrounded by an oak wreath and scroll designs. The reverse features a "US" monogram in a similar setting. The medallion on the second mount is missing, but the oak wreath and scroll designs are still present. The drag features an oak spray with acorns and scroll designs. The space between the first two mount is inscribed “Presented to / Col. L.A. Harris / by the / Non-commissioned Officers / and Privates of the 2nd O.V.M. / as a token of their esteem / The heart is all.” The space between the second and third mounts bears another oak spray with acorns. There are two carrying rings on the piece, one on the right hand side of the top two mounts.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1865
- recipient
- Harris, Leonard A.
- maker
- Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
- ID Number
- AF*58705M
- catalog number
- 58705M
- accession number
- 214043
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Sword Presented to William T. Sherman
- Description (Brief)
- Presented to William T. Sherman for his service in the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, by Major General H.W. Halleck.
- 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
- Halleck, Henry W.
- maker
- Tiffany & Co.
- ID Number
- AF*15927
- catalog number
- 15927
- accession number
- 59388
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center