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.
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Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver
- Description
- The Model 1851 Navy was Colt’s most popular percussion revolver. Nearly a quarter million of the iconic .36 caliber six-shot model were produced between 1850 and 1873. The term "Navy" refers to the caliber of the revolver, not necessarily the branch of service. The .44 caliber revolvers are called "Army" and .36 caliber revolvers are called "Navy." The 1851 Navy was used by a number of famous soldiers and lawmen as well as infamous outlaws in American history.
- date made
- 1861
- licensee
- Colt, Samuel
- maker
- Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- 1980.0399.0696
- accession number
- 1980.0399
- serial number
- 103554
- catalog number
- 1980.0399.0696
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Tintype with hardtack frame
- Description
- This innovative piece of memorabilia consists of a tintype of Augustus B. Hayes in a hardtack frame. At the age of 18, Hayes enlisted in the 1st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery Battery B on August 8, 1862. Hayes was wounded on December 31, 1862 in the Battle of Stones River. Despite this he served three more years and was mustered out June 16, 1865.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- ID Number
- 1979.0916.02
- catalog number
- 1979.0916.02
- accession number
- 1979.0916
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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G.A.R. Cap
- Description
- This Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) cap was worn by John Doran-Donahue during organization meetings. The GAR and its counterpart, the United Confederate Veterans, were organizations in which veterans and their families joined to remember the dead and salute the living. These groups were an important facet of veteran life that supplanted wartime camaraderie.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- user
- Doran-Donahue, John
- manufacturer
- Ridabock and Company
- associated user
- Grand Army of the Republic
- maker
- Ridabock and Company
- ID Number
- 1979.1267.001
- accession number
- 1979.1267
- catalog number
- 1979.1267.001
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
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Dance & Brothers Revolver
- Description
- J. H. Dance & Brothers manufactured this Colt style six-shot .44 caliber revolver in Columbia, TX. They also produced .36 caliber revolvers, but it is estimated they never produced more than 500 revolvers in total.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1862
- maker
- J. H. Dance & Brothers
- ID Number
- 1980.0399.0686
- accession number
- 1980.0399
- catalog number
- 1980.0399.0686
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Tin cup
- Description
- Tin cups were typically a part of any Union soldier's mess kit. This cup was an innovative idea of Augustus Hayes. It was made out of a soup can and the words "Cup made and used by Augustus B. Hayes during the Civil War U.S.A." were inscribed on the bottom.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- ID Number
- 1979.0916.04
- catalog number
- 1979.0916.04
- accession number
- 1979.0916
- catalog number
- 85809M
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Ambrotype of Thomas Anthony
- Description
- In addition to a sack coat and a forage cap, some Union men were issued a frock coat and a Hardee hat like those worn in this portrait of infantryman Thomas Anthony. His hat is pinned up on his left side to denote infantry, and he wears an enlisted man's single-breasted frock coat.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1860-1865
- ID Number
- 1974.0019.18
- catalog number
- 1974.19.18
- accession number
- 314637
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Shako
- Description
- 1st Regiment of Artillery, Pennsylvania Militia shako, ca. 1861 (missing pompon). This regiment was raised on April 13, 1861. The insignia displays crossed-cannon and an ordnance bomb.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1861
- associated date
- 1850-1870
- ID Number
- AF.61063M
- catalog number
- 61063M
- accession number
- 223708
- collector/donor number
- SK819
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Shell jacket
- Description
- As cloth grew scarce in the South, the long frock coat gave way to a shorter sack coat or more often to a shell jacket, which became standard issued in the Confederate Army. This jacket belonged to George William Ramsay of the 17th Regiment of the Virginia Infantry.
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- ID Number
- AF.67633M
- catalog number
- 67633M
- accession number
- 220760
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Recruitment poster
- Description
- One motive for enlistment was the desire of young men on both sides to prove their courage and conviction to friends and neighbors who volunteered with them, to local leaders who organized their regiments, and to the public at large. Many immigrants from Ireland and Germany, hoping to gain full recognition as American citizens, joined the Union Army. Some men answered appeals like the broadside above, issued by Colonel Joshua T. Owen, who raised a regiment in Philadelphia to serve in Colonel Edward Baker's brigade.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1861-1865
- ID Number
- AF.78969M
- accession number
- 308845
- catalog number
- 78969M
- 308845.906
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Recruitment poster
- Description
- After the first wave of volunteers, money persuaded soldiers to sign up to fight. Bounties like this one were used to lure men into enlisting in either the U.S. or Confederate armies.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1898-1900
- ID Number
- AF.78967M
- catalog number
- 78967M
- accession number
- 308845
- catalog number
- 308845.904
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Shako
- Description
- Charleston Light Infantry cap, 1860.
- Among the conspicuous items worn by militiamen when the conflict began were shakos-- tall hats that could make soldiers prominent targets in battle. The prevailing tactics, however, called for opposing ranks to open fire on each other at close range, in which case even soldiers wearing inconspicuous clothing were plainly visible to their opponents. A greater danger was the deadly confusion that resulted when troops in motley dress were unable to tell friends from foes.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1860-1890
- ID Number
- AF.61065M
- catalog number
- 61065M
- accession number
- 223708
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Painted Canteen
- Description
- Physical Description
- Round metal painted with camp scene.
- Specific History
- This canteen was said to have been used at Gettysburg.
- General History
- The scene painted on this canteen is a snapshot of camp life, preserved as a memento of the war like a letter home or a diary entry. At right, a soldier appears to be on guard duty beside a tent over which flies an American flag. To the left, another soldier sits on a log before a fire. The scene evokes the rituals and chores of camp life: pitching tents, standing guard, gathering firewood, and preparing food. Soldiers accustomed to the orderliness of camp life as depicted here faced a stark contrast when they entered battle at Gettysburg and other chaotic killing grounds. Memories of camp and its monotonous routine could be soothing to men who endured grueling campaigns, which may explain why this unknown soldier-artist chose to depict that theme on an object that meant much to him.
- ID Number
- 1996.0340.01
- accession number
- 1996.0340
- catalog number
- 1996.0340.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a wide white border around all three sides. In the center of the flag is a white five-point star. White cotton hoist. The inscription on the hoist reads "1st 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 navy and white thread.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25250Z
- catalog number
- 25250Z
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 22nd Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. Blue field with a white 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 Brg 2nd Div".
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25252I
- catalog number
- 25252I
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 25th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with a red border around all three sides. Blue square applique in the center of the flag. White cotton canvas hoist with no grommets. The inscription on the hoist reads "3rd Brg 3rd Div 25th Army Corps." Machine-stitched with flat-felled seams. Some hand-stitching on the fly.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1890-1897
- maker
- Robert C. Toy
- ID Number
- AF.25255R
- catalog number
- 25255R
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps
- Description
- Physical Description:
- Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with wide blue border around all three edges. Red trefoil, or clover, in center of flag. Unbleached cotton heading. Machine-stitched panels with flat-felled seams. Machine-stitched turned-under edge hems. Hand-stitched pole sleeve with hand-stitched cord casing in pole sleeve (cord is not enclosed in casing). Hand-stitched flat-fell applique (red trefoil). The inscription on the hoist reads "2 ARMY CORPS 1 Div 3 Brig HORSTMANN./PHILADELPHIA.."
- General Description:
- Second Army Corps (3 March 1862 - 28 June 1865)
- General Daniel Butterfield, who designed many of the army corps badges in detail while serving as Chief of Staff to General Philip Kearny, chose the trefoil (shamrock) for this army corps due to the Irish origin of many of the soldiers. The trefoil badge of the Second Army Corps was ordered in March 1863. Although variations came to be used, the original pattern was re instituted by General W. S. Hancock who carried the flag for the duration of the war.
- According to an 1864 catalog compiled by the Military Service Institute at Governors Island, New York, the actual Second Army Corps Headquarters flag was one of the few Civil War battle flags in that museum's holdings. The 1884 MSI Catalogue description of the flag: "With a certificate, signed by Major-General Hancock, reads as follows: 'This was my headquarters flag, and (with its present staff) was carried at the head of the 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the Wilderness Campaign of 1864, from its commencement, May 3, 1864, and in that time was borne through the battles of the Wilderness, May 5, 6, and 7, 1864; battles of the Po, May 10, 1864, and at Spotsylvania C.H. In its present battered condition it was borne in battle for the last time during the assault made on the enemy's works at Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864. A few days afterward, a new flag was procured and I then presented these colors to my senior Aide-de-camp, Major and Bvt. Brig. Gen. William G. Mitchell, who was with me on those battlefields. I have made this memorandum to accompany the flag at the request of General Mitchell.'"
- The Second Army Corps has a prestigious history; it has been called "the corps with the longer continuous service, a larger organization, hardest fighting and greatest number of casualties than any other in the eastern armies....Of the hundred Union regiments which lost the most men in battle, thirty-five belonged to the Second Corps." By reputation, "until the battle of Spotsylvania, on May 10, 1864, it never lost a gun or color." (Boatner, Mark Mayo III, the Civil War Dictionary, p. 188.)
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1865
- maker
- William H. Horstmann & Sons
- ID Number
- AF.25263E
- catalog number
- 25263E
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with large blue Maltese cross in center of flag. Red border on hoist edge. White (yellowed) burlap heading. Hand sewn.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25266C
- catalog number
- 25266C
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps
- Description
- Rectangular wool bunting flag. White field with red St. Andrew's cross in center of flag. The hoist corners are reinforced with small squares of white fabric. There are several patch repairs near the fly. White cotton hand-sewn hoist with a brass grommet at each end. Inscription on hoist "6TH ARMY/CORPS 1ST DIVISION." Machine-stitched seams.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25267B
- catalog number
- 25267B
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Designating Flag, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps
- Description
- Wool bunting pennant flag. White field with red border at the hoist. In the center of the flag is a blue shield with a red anchor surmounted by a white cannon. The anchor and cannon are crossed. White hoist with an inscription that reads "2nd Brg. 3rd Div. 9th Army Corps."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- AF.25270F
- catalog number
- 25270F
- accession number
- 64127
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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- Costume and dress 23
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- Rifles (long guns) 11
- Trousers 9
- carbine, percussion 9
- Revolvers (firearms) 8
- Insignias 6
- Hats 5
- Vests (garments) 5
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- rifle musket, percussion 5
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- Jackets (garments) 4
- rifle; Firearms; Percussion Fire; .58 In; Rifled; Muzzle Load; Sa 4
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- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military 733
- Designating Flags 630
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- Military Uniforms 23
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- National Museum of American History 12
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- Price of Freedom 10
- Revolvers 6
- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History 5
- Photography 4
- Work and Industry: Photographic History 4
- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Naval 3
- Princeton Posters 3
- Food 2
- Armed Forces, Firearms 1
- Military Schools 1
- National Treasures exhibit 1
