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.
7,964
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Model 1821
- Location
- Currently not on view
- associated date
- 1812
- ID Number
- AF.69584M
- catalog number
- 69584M
- accession number
- 269638
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Model 1910
- Location
- Currently not on view
- used date
- 1910
- ID Number
- AF.81415M
- catalog number
- 81415M
- 1977.0495.01
- accession number
- 1977.0495
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Model 1872
- Location
- Currently not on view
- used date
- 1872 - 1879
- maker
- Brooks Brothers
- ID Number
- 1978.0658.01
- accession number
- 1978.0658
- catalog number
- 1978.0658.01
- 84527M
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Vela de Pancho Villa
- Description
- Pancho Villa is one of the most recognizable leaders of the Mexico Revolution. This civil war, which lasted from 1910-1921, was fought to curb U.S. corporate interests and to redistribute agricultural lands, especially for indigenous communities. It was a social revolution that reasserted popular culture and the value of "Mexican-ness." It was also a prolonged, violent conflict that spread death and hunger throughout Mexico, spurring migrants north, mostly into El Paso, Los Angeles, and other historically Mexican U.S. cities. With them came ideas, images, and language for organizing laborers and the rural poor. These ideas and images percolated in the popular culture of Mexican Americans and reappear in the art and activism of Chicanos in the 1960s and 1970s. On the back of this candle depicting Villa are prayers written in English and Spanish asking him to grant the petitioner some of the insight and prowess that enshrined this bandit, social revolutionary, and media star in the mythology of modern Mexico.
- Description (Spanish)
- Pancho Villa es uno de los líderes más populares de la Revolución de México. Esta guerra civil, que se prolongó desde 1910 hasta 1921, se centró en poner freno a los intereses de las corporaciones estadounidenses y redistribuir las tierras de cultivo, especialmente entre las comunidades indígenas. Se trató de una revolución social para reafirmar la cultura popular y el valor de la "mexicaneidad". Pero constituyó también un largo y violento conflicto que esparció la muerte y el hambre a través de México, instigando la inmigración hacia el norte, mayormente hacia ciudades históricamente mexicanas dentro de los Estados Unidos, como El Paso y Los Ángeles. Con ellos llegaron las ideas, imágenes y lenguaje que organizaron a los trabajadores y los campesinos pobres. Estas ideas e imágenes penetrarían la cultura popular de los mexicoamericanos y reaparecerían en el arte y activismo de los chicanos en las décadas de 1960 y 1970. En la parte de atrás de esta vela con la imagen de Villa hay oraciones escritas en inglés y en español donde los suplicantes piden al héroe que les conceda algo de la lucidez y pericia que consagraron a este bandido, revolucionario social y estrella de los medios, a la mitología del México moderno.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- depicted
- Villa, Pancho
- ID Number
- 1991.0741.13
- catalog number
- 1991.0741.13
- accession number
- 1991.0741
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Pair of General of the Army epaulets worn by William T. Sherman
- Description
- One pair of gold epaulets worn by William Tecumseh Sherman between 1869 and 1883 when he was serving as General of the Army. The epaulets are ornamented with two stars and an embroidered eagle with an American flag and half-globe eagle and shield buttons, backed with red fabric.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1869
- associated date
- 1869-1883
- wearer
- Sherman, William Tecumseh
- ID Number
- AF.15937
- catalog number
- 15937
- accession number
- 59388
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pair of General epaulets worn by William T. Sherman
- Description
- One pair of gold epaulets worn by William Tecumseh Sherman in 1880 when he held the rank of General, US Army. The epaulets are ornamented with two stars and a colored American flag shield, with a metal attachment hook on their underside.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1880
- associated date
- 1851-1901
- associated person
- Sherman, P.T.
- wearer
- Sherman, William Tecumseh
- ID Number
- AF.15938
- catalog number
- 15938
- accession number
- 59388
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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M*A*S*H Action Figures
- Description (Brief)
- Fully jointed plastic action figures of characters from the television show M*A*S*H. In original cardboard and plastic packaging. Characters included are: Captain B.J. Hunnicut, Colonel Sherman T. Potter, Major Charles Winchester and Corporal Maxwell Q. Kingler.
- M*A*S*H was a movie and television series that followed the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Unit (MASH) during the Korean War. MASH began as a novel by Richard Hooker published in 1968 based on his experiences as a surgeon in the 8055th MASH in South Korea. The film MASH was based off of the novel and released in 1970. The television spin-off from the novel, M*A*S*H, aired from 1972-1983 along with spin-offs such as Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986) and AfterMASH (1983-1985).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- Associated Name
- Morgan, Harry
- Farrell, Mike
- Stiers, David Ogden
- Farr, Jamie
- ID Number
- 1985.0252.531
- accession number
- 1985.0252
- catalog number
- 1985.0252.531
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Father Mulcahy Action Figure
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- Associated Name
- Christopher, William
- ID Number
- 1985.0252.532.03
- accession number
- 1985.0252
- catalog number
- 1985.0252.532.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Klinger Action Figure
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- Associated Name
- Farr, Jamie
- ID Number
- 1985.0252.532.04
- accession number
- 1985.0252
- catalog number
- 1985.0252.532.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Canteen Utility Belt Toy from M*A*S*H
- Description (Brief)
- Canteen Utility Belt Toy from the television series M*A*S*H. Canteen is green plastic with a green plastic and fabric utility belt with metal fasteners. Toy is in its original cardboard and plastic packaging. Utility belt is bundled together with a rubber band. Canteen has the M*A*S*H logo printed in yellow on the front along with a red cross with a yellow background.
- M*A*S*H was a movie and television series that followed the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Unit (MASH) during the Korean War. MASH began as a novel by Richard Hooker published in 1968 based on his experiences as a surgeon in the 8055th MASH in South Korea. The film MASH was based off of the novel and released in 1970. The television spin-off from the novel, M*A*S*H, aired from 1972-1983 along with spin-offs such as Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986) and AfterMASH (1983-1985).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 1985.0252.534
- accession number
- 1985.0252
- catalog number
- 1985.0252.534
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Flashlight Toy from M*A*S*H
- Description (Brief)
- Flashlight toy from the television series M*A*S*H. Toy is dark green plastic with a metal switch and clip. M*A*S*H logo printed in yellow on flashlight along with red cross with yellow background. Packaging features a color photograph of the cast of M*A*S*H.
- M*A*S*H was a movie and television series that followed the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Unit (MASH) during the Korean War. MASH began as a novel by Richard Hooker published in 1968 based on his experiences as a surgeon in the 8055th MASH in South Korea. The film MASH was based off of the novel and released in 1970. The television spin-off from the novel, M*A*S*H, aired from 1972-1983 along with spin-offs such as Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986) and AfterMASH (1983-1985).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- ID Number
- 1985.0252.535
- accession number
- 1985.0252
- catalog number
- 1985.0252.535
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Jeep Toy from M*A*S*H
- Description (Brief)
- Plastic toy medical unit Jeep with action figure from the television show M*A*S*H. Jeep is scaled to fit the M*A*S*H action figures that were manufactured around the same time. Jeep is in original cardboard and plastic packaging. Package features color photograph of the cast of M*A*S*H. Jeep has M*A*S*H and medical symbol painted in white along with a red cross with a yellow background.
- M*A*S*H was a movie and television series that followed the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Unit (MASH) during the Korean War. MASH began as a novel by Richard Hooker published in 1968 based on his experiences as a surgeon in the 8055th MASH in South Korea. The film MASH was based off of the novel and released in 1970. The television spin-off from the novel, M*A*S*H, aired from 1972-1983 along with spin-offs such as Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986) and AfterMASH (1983-1985).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 1985.0252.537
- accession number
- 1985.0252
- catalog number
- 1985.0252.537
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
War Stamp and Bond Drive Poster
- Description
- The Rohwer High School National Honor Society created these posters to advertise a war stamp and bond drive they were hosting. Although these people were being imprisoned by the government, they still held events to support the war effort and promote their patriotism.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1986.3144.36
- nonaccession number
- 1986.3144
- catalog number
- 1986.3144.36
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Herringbone Twill; Model 1943
- Location
- Currently not on view
- used date
- 1943 -
- associated
- Rubin, Edward
- ID Number
- 1985.0611.0637
- catalog number
- 1985.0611.0637
- accession number
- 1985.0611
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Indian Trade Musket
- Description (Brief)
- This .60 caliber smoothbore flintlock musket was manufactured in Pennsylvania about 1820 for trade with American Indians. The lockplate, stamped "Ketland & Co." and "UNITED STATES" was manufactured in Britain for use by U.S. military contract manufacturers.
- maker
- Ketland & Co.
- ID Number
- 1985.0783.24
- accession number
- 1985.0783
- catalog number
- 1985.0783.24
- collector/donor number
- M11
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plate 55. Headquarters Guard of the Army of the Potomac
- Description
- Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
- Soon after the breaking out of the war, a company of Zouaves, formed upon the French model, was organized in Philadelphia, with Capt. Collis as commander. They became body guard to General Banks, and did good service. Subsequently, Capt. Collis obtained authority to increase his small command to a Regiment, altering the costume from the old red Zouave bags–not at all suited for service in the woods of Virginia–to trousers of the same color. The affection of the soldiers for color is extraordinary; no statistics, showing the large increase of casualties to showy uniforms, could induce the Zouzous to part with theirs, and in this dress the 114th--attached to the Third Corps–participated in some of the bloodiest battles. At Gettysburg, their gallant Lieutenant Colonel (Cavada) was taken prisoner; with a number of the Regiment, fighting bravely against odds.
- When the army lay in winter quarters around Culpepper [sic], they relieved the 93d New York, in the duties of "Headquarters Guard" to General Meade, near Brandy Station. The photograph represents morning guard mount in front of the picturesque camp, a good specimen of the soldiers' architecture; the huts, with the barrel chimneys on the slope of the hill, are the quarters of the men; the larger ones on the ridge belong to the officers, while on the extreme right the tent in which the Sutler keeps store, is pitched. The entire space was a portion of a dense wood, almost impassable when first chosen for headquarters, and filled with rabbits, quail, hawks, owls, and other game. Soon all was cut down save the little grove on the top of the hill, reserved by Capt. Sleeper, of the 10th Massachusetts Battery, who had pitched his tents there, on what was once the rebel General Stuart's headquarters.
- The duties of the guard of headquarters, which also formed part of the provost brigade under Gen. Patrick, included, besides furnishing the regular camp guards for the protection of the officers' quarters, the care of the valuable wagon train of army headquarters, both in park and on the march, and the custody of rebel prisoners and deserters, detained for a time at the Provost Marshal's. In summer time, when the tents were shaded and embowered in branches of the green pine, a highly dramatic picture would be presented by the Regiment, marching out from the trees to evening dress parade, their muskets glittering brightly in the setting sun, white turbans and blue and scarlet uniforms contrasting strongly against the dusky background, while the officers of camp grouped around, smoking their pipes in the pleasant coolness of the evening air, listened to the "Faust March," by the Zouave band.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Gardner, Alexander
- ID Number
- 1986.0711.0283.05
- accession number
- 1986.0711
- catalog number
- 1986.0711.0283.05
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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military parade
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1907
- ID Number
- 1986.3048.1500
- nonaccession number
- 1986.3048
- catalog number
- 1986.3048.1500
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Studio portrait of a sailor
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1907
- ID Number
- 1986.3048.1746
- nonaccession number
- 1986.3048
- catalog number
- 1986.3048.1746
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning; How About a Cheer for the Navy
- Description (Brief)
side1: Irving Berlin. Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning; side 2: All Soldier Orchestra and Chorus. How About a Cheer for the Navy (Decca 18477), from the album, Irving Berlin's All Soldier Show: This Is the Army (Decca A-340).
78 rpmThis album is from the Broadway musical This Is the Army, with book by James McColl, and music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical was produced by the U. S. Army in 1942, and featured a cast of U. S. soldiers, for the benefit of the Army Relief Fund. The revue ran at the Broadway Theatre from July 4, 1942, to September 26, 1942, for 113 performances.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recording date
- 1942
- recording artist
- Berlin, Irving
- manufacturer
- Decca
- ID Number
- 1988.0384.05
- accession number
- 1988.0384
- maker number
- 18477
- catalog number
- 1988.0384.05
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Herringbone Twill; Model 1942
- Location
- Currently not on view
- used date
- 1942 -
- associated
- Rubin, Edward
- ID Number
- 1985.0611.0164
- designer number
- OLIVE DRAB 7
- catalog number
- 1985.0611.0164
- accession number
- 1985.0611
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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