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.
4,946
Page 1 of 248
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Album of WWI Photographs by Harry A. Spencer
- Description
- Album of photographs taken by Harry A. Spencer during his tour of service in the United States Army during World War I. The album has a black leather cover stamped with the word "Photographs" that has separated from the spine. A gelatin silver photograph of a piece of artillery is attached to the front below the title. The album is composed of fifty black paper pages on which silver gelatin photographs have been mounted with hand-written captions beneath. The pages are tied together near the spine with a black woven shoelace. The album details Spencer's life while he served in the military during the war, including his time at Camp Greene in North Carolina, and travels through Memphis, Tennessee, New York City, England, France, Belgium, Germany, and Colorado. See accession file for reference reproduction of Spencer's album created by the donor, Spencer's grand-daughter Kathi Wong.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1918-1919
- ID Number
- 2009.0129.01
- accession number
- 2009.0129
- catalog number
- 2009.0129.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Springfield Armory Model 1898 Krag-Jorgensen Bolt Action Rifle
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1898
- licensee
- Krag, Ole H. J.
- maker
- Springfield Armory
- ID Number
- AF.NM166
- catalog number
- NM166
- accession number
- 319944
- serial number
- 100170
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Army Corps of Engineers Sergeant's Trousers, Model 1861, Type I
- Description
- These model 1861 type I dismounted trousers would have been worn by a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Sky blue wool kersey twill trousers with a six button fly and four large buttons around the waist. Buttons are tin. There are two vertical slash pockets and a watch pocket on the right side. The waistband facing and pockets are made of cotton twill. A red numeral "1" is stamped on the left back facing. "T Martin" is stamped above the left pocket. There is a "V" shaped slit and two eyelet holes for waist adjustment at the rear of the waistband. There is a 1 1/2" yellow wool tape stripe that runs from the waistband to the cuff on the outside seam of each leg. The trousers are unlined. There is a one inch slit at the bottom of the outer seam of each trouser leg.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1861 - 1871
- 1861
- ID Number
- AF.25101.007
- catalog number
- 25101.007
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Harpers Ferry Model 1795/1810 Percussion Conversion Musket
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1800
- 1810
- maker
- Harpers Ferry
- ID Number
- AF.273341
- catalog number
- 273341
- accession number
- 54537
- serial number
- 23885
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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322nd Civil Affairs Brigade
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2011.0181.079
- accession number
- 2011.0181
- catalog number
- 2011.0181.079
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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United Defense Supply Corp. UD M42 Submachinegun
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1981.0034.02
- accession number
- 1981.0034
- serial number
- IRS 1021
- catalog number
- 1981.0034.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Inside the Church at Badonviller
- Description
- A charcoal, pastel, and watercolor sketch on paper of American troops at a church at Badonviller, France. The church is most likely the Eglise Saint-Martin. Five American soldiers are standing in what used to be the interior of the church. The church has been damaged; battered wrought iron and other debris are lying exposed in the former aisle of the church. An inscription on the drawing reads "The church at Badonviller is situated on a rise of ground and on that edge of the village that is nearest the German lines. It has suffered from bombardment perhaps more than any other structure in the village. This drawing was made from the chancel and looking along the line of the main aisle and through the archway to the front entrance. The building is hopelessly beyond repair."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1918
- associated date
- 1917-1918
- associated person
- War Department
- artist
- Smith, J. Andre
- ID Number
- AF.25950
- catalog number
- 25950
- accession number
- 64592
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Confederate Army Lieutenant John Singleton Mosby's Frock Coat
- Description
- This frock coat was worn by Confederate Army Lieutenant John Singleton Mosby. Confederate cavalry leader John Mosby is among the most romantic characters in the Civil War, and with good reason. From 1863 to the end of the conflict, Mosby's raiders were a constant headache for the North. The raiders usually acted in small detachments of several dozen, though more than 1,000 men served under Mosby. They sacked supply depots, attacked railroads, and harassed federal troops. They seemed to move behind enemy lines almost at will. Their most celebrated exploit occurred when Mosby himself rode into Fairfax Station, Virginia, in the dead of the night and kidnapped a Union general.
- Double-breasted gray wool jacket which originally had two rows of seven large gilt eagle buttons down the front. Five buttons are missing on left and two on right. There are two buttons at the back waist, and thread remains of two buttons on coattails. Both sides of the jacket have button holes. Above the cuff there is a single braid 1/4" gold lace insignia called an Austrian knot; the single braid indicates that Mosby was a lieutenant when he wore this coat. The collar and cuffs are faced with buff wool. There is a deep pocket in each coattail. The body of the coat and parts of the coattails are lined with dark green cotton-wool mix fabric. The sleeves are lined. The front of the jacket is lightly padded and quilted.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- wearer
- Mosby, John Singleton
- ID Number
- AF.4409(A)
- catalog number
- 4409(A)
- accession number
- 20063
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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MP40 Submachine Gun
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1942
- ID Number
- AF.68704M
- catalog number
- 68704M
- accession number
- 257059
- serial number
- 7978
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Before Mont-Sec
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1918-09-18
- maker
- Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Service and Army Communications Service
- ID Number
- 2013.0327.0671
- accession number
- 2013.0327
- catalog number
- 2013.0327.0671
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Canadian STEN MK II Long Branch 1943 Submachinegun
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1943
- ID Number
- AF.59494M
- catalog number
- 59494M
- accession number
- 214893
- serial number
- 9L6790
- maker number
- 9L6790
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Bedroom of Marine Lcpl. Jordan Haerter
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2013-2014
- maker
- Gilbertson, Ashley
- ID Number
- 2019.0011.0007
- accession number
- 2019.0011
- catalog number
- 2019.0011.0007
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Bedroom of Army Pfc. Richard Langenbrunner
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 2013-2014
- maker
- Gilbertson, Ashley
- ID Number
- 2019.0011.0009
- accession number
- 2019.0011
- catalog number
- 2019.0011.0009
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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medal
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1904
- ID Number
- NU.68.263.764
- catalog number
- 68.263.764
- accession number
- 281689
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Cocktail napkin with Kingdom of Serbia flag
- Description
- Cocktail napkin with Kingdom of Serbia flag motif (red, blue, and white tricolor). Green embroidery around edges. Made by French peasant women in French Lorraine during World War I. Sold in America through the Society for Employment of Women in France.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1914-1918
- ID Number
- 2011.0086.01
- catalog number
- 2011.0086.01
- accession number
- 2011.0086
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Slouch hat
- Description
- Like many soldiers on both sides, Colonel Robert Harper had both a kepi and a comfortable slouch hat. This felt hat also did a better job of protecting the wearer from glaring sun or pouring rain.
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- ID Number
- AF.42580
- catalog number
- 42580
- accession number
- 163704
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Cherokee .28 Caliber Percussion Pistol
- Description
- This .28-caliber percussion pistol with a distinctive underhammer design was made in Qualla Town, now Cherokee, North Carolina in 1843. Inscriptions in English and Cherokee identify it as the work of Salola, a blacksmith of the Oconaluftee Cherokee.
- Underhammer pistols were popular from the mid-1830s until the Civil War. Sometimes called bootleg pistols, underhammers were easily constructed, were easy to carry and draw, offered an unobstructed line of sight for aiming, and provided a measure of safety from exploding percussion caps to the shooter's eyes.
- This pistol was sent to the Patent Office in 1845 by William Holland Thomas as an example of the educational and industrial aptitude of the Cherokee people. A white trader in Qualla Town, Thomas learned the Cherokee language and was soon adopted by the tribe. He went on to become a lawyer and represented the Eastern Band of Cherokee as a state senator and as an advocate in Washington, D. C.
- The pistol was held at the Patent Office until the opening of the Smithsonian's Arts & Industries Building in 1883.
- Date made
- 1843
- associated date
- 1845
- maker
- Salolinita
- ID Number
- AF.96913
- catalog number
- 96913
- accession number
- 13152
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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"Wings Over America" Poster
- Description
- Physical Description
- Four-color print on paper.
- General History
- Posters during World War II were designed to instill in people a positive outlook, a sense of patriotism, and confidence. They linked the war in trenches with the war at home. From a practical point, they were used to encourage all Americans to help with the war effort. The posters called on every man, woman, and child to endure the personal sacrifice and domestic adjustments to further the national agenda. They encouraged rationing, conservation, and sacrifice. In addition, the posters were used for recruitment, productivity, and motivation as well as for financing the war effort. The stark, colorful graphic designs elicited strong emotions. The posters played to the fears, frustrations, and faith in freedoms that lingered in people's minds during the war.
- date made
- 1939
- associated date
- 1941 - 1945
- ID Number
- AF.70501MA
- catalog number
- 70501MA
- accession number
- 163798
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Romanoff Colors
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- NU.69.127.1167
- catalog number
- 69.127.1167
- accession number
- 286471
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Pitcher, "Washington/By Virtue and Valour"
- Description
- This creamware pitcher is decorated with two prints related to George Washington. The first print depicts George Washington stepping on a lion, symbolizing the defeat of Great Britain during the American Revolution. Surrounding this image are the words “By virtue and valour, we have freed our country, extended our commerce, and laid the foundations of a great empire.” In the background are a few Continental soldiers and a ship flying the American flag. On the reverse is a memorial print of George Washington surrounded by the allegories of Justice, Liberty, and Victory. The border for this print is made up of ribbons and stars. Each loop of ribbon features the names of the first fifteen states of the Union. This pitcher is in poor condition and has been repaired with staples in numerous places to hold it together. Printed under the spout is a flower. Robert H. MCauley purchased this jug from Joseph Kindig, Jr. of York, PA on August 5, 1938 for $60.00 as part of the William Randolph Hearst Collection.
- This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- CE.63.172
- catalog number
- 63.172
- accession number
- 248881
- collector/donor number
- 300
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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