MISSOURI STATE MUSEUM - WWI Artifacts from the Storage Collections

[RustyCanteen]

(Posted on behalf of member "dan h")

 

This is a look at just a few of the items held in the collections of the Missouri State Museum, most of what will be seen is from the World War One collection. I will try to add a caption to each photo, but perhaps dan h will add more (or corrections) to what I have said.

 

This field desk was a recent donation, having come from a relative of the man who used it in WWI. I believe he was in the 138th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Division.

 

An 88th Infantry Division uniform.

 

Side of the uniform, showing the 88th patch and overseas (and discharge) stripes.

 

A close-up of the 88th Liberty Loan patch.

 

And finally a WWI Victory Ribbon and an 88th Division Medal (missing suspension).

 

To the left of the uniform was a table, this had the Desk (pictured above) and these items:

 

An 88th Divisional History book, and a 203rd Coast Artillery (Missouri National Guard) M1917 Browning Ammunition Box. (The markings just post date WWI by a few years- circa 1924)

 

 

[RustyCanteen]

Note, all of the German items were "War Booty" given to the state in 1921.

 

Another table held a 1918 Mauser Anti-Tank Rifle:

 

View of the bolt action.

 

 

To the left of the Mauser were these:

 

A 1916 Spandau Aircraft Gun, and an MG08 (sled mount in the background).

 

This is the sled mount for the MG08.

 

Again from another view.

 

Another table held smaller artifacts.

 

German Armor (Front)

 

German Armor (side)

 

This German Artillery Plotting Board was reportedly captured from the Crown Prince's Headquarters.

 

A close up of the label.

 

This is something you do not see everyday.

 

M1915 Shako.

 

The final table held rifles.

 

 

From bottom to top: British Lee-Metford, Belgian Mauser, French Lebel, Austrian 1890 Mannlicher, Italian 1891 Carcano and a German Gewehr 98. Just above the 98 is a Mauser 96 "Broom handle" pistol and a German sword from 1897.

 

Closeup of the Mauser:

 

[RustyCanteen]

The next room contained flags, a lot of them.

 

The WWI flag of 129th Field Artillery (35th Division), perhaps best known as the unit Captain Harry S. Truman was assigned to.

 

The WWI flag of the 89th Division.

 

 

There were also a couple of WWI "County" Service Banners:

 

Lincoln County

 

And St. Louis City.

 

 

As a "bonus" here are a couple of Civil War flags from their extensive collection (This is only the "tip" of the proverbial iceberg!)

 

This flag would have been Missouri's "Battle Flag" had the state "officially" seceded and joined the Confederacy.

 

And this was General John S. Marmaduke's flag. It was captured by the Union in 1864 when he became a prisoner of war, it was returned after the war ended.

 

 

 

 

 

[RustyCanteen]

In the upstairs loft area were these monsters:

 

Minenwerfers.

 

A few other things to be seen:

 

M1874 .45-70 Gatling Gun. This was donated in the 1950s by a man who bought them new in the crates according to the staff.

 

Some WWI Helmets (German & US) on the top shelf, the bottom shelf had another Pickelhaube, a 4.2 inch chemical round with cardboard shipping tube (the top is laying to the left), a German shell (Dan H will know more about it). And finally the round items in the center foreground were recovered from the USS Maine which sank in Havana Harbor in February 1898, the center item is a powder can lid, and to the right is a link of chain.

[RustyCanteen]

Below the helmets were drawers.

 

Pistols, bayonets, and daggers.

 

Closeup of the pistols.

 

 

In another room was a wall of rifles:

 

A G43.

 

And this was a flintlock (converted to percussion) Kentucky rifle owned by one of Missouri's Governors, the story relayed by the staff is that the Governor elect was on his way to his inauguration and saw a deer, that was their dinner that night.

 

Special Thanks to the Collections Staff for the excellent display and for their generosity in opening these areas for viewing.

[craig_pickrall]

Very impressive. It is always fun to get into the back rooms.

[RustyCanteen]

This was part of a one-time behind the scenes tour they call "It's Your History".

 

About 15 people showed up, due to interest they opened a few of the doors to the side "pods". There may be a few more photos coming, so stay tuned.

 

RC

[RustyCanteen]

Here is another Civil War flag, it's for the 7th Missouri Cavalry.

 

A close-up of the USS Maine Powder Can lid.

 

A tripod, but I don't know what it's for.

 

Some cannon balls.

 

Another view of the M1874 Gatling gun.

 

The "business" end.

 

The crank mechanism.

 

The MG08.

 

The Hussar Hat.

 

Another view of the table, they had a few small artifacts on it.

 

 

The back of the MG08 sled mount.

 

The range marks on the mount.

 

 

[blackhawkdown]

It's funny, the 11mm Mauser picture, the please do not touch sign in the background and it looks like I am touching the rifle. Lol

[RustyCanteen]

It sure does, but I think you were reading the tag on the bipod.

[Backtheattack]

Great pics! There is so much staff in the back rooms of a museum, often more than they show off. Like the flags!

[Patriot12]

Very interesting photos. Fun to see.

[RustyCanteen]

Thanks, there may be a few more photos uploaded.

[ColdWarRules]

I love that 7th Missouri Cavalry flag, I love Missouri related militaria period. Missurah

 

 

-Nick

[RustyCanteen]

Thanks, they have an extensive collection of flags from the 1860s. I don't know how many WWI flags are in their collection, but it is probably over 100. Many of the WWI flags are actually the county service banners, of which two can be seen in the above posts.

 

Unfortunately there just wasn't enough time to see everything they had, but the staff was generous in sharing what they could in the time allotted. They also explained some of the techniques used to preserve the flags.

 

RC

[agate hunter]

Lots of cool stuff! Thanks for posting.

[Mr.Jerry]

Thanks for posting! Those service flags are great!

I have tried to get into some museums here to see what they may have for service/home front flags for the book i am working on but most have been less than inviting.

[irish]

Oh lordy. Not sure how I missed this thread before. Great stuff, one can only imagine what is sitting behind closed doors in museums across this country.

[doyler]

Thanks for the tour and for posting.Some amazing artifacts there.A nice glimpse into areas not often seen.

[Ozarkian]

The Missouri State Guard battle flag is amazing. Great stuff. Thanks, Eric

[Love of flags]

Those service flags are amazing!

The next room contained flags, a lot of them.

 

129th.jpg

The WWI flag of 129th Field Artillery (35th Division), perhaps best known as the unit Captain Harry S. Truman was assigned to.

 

89th.jpg

The WWI flag of the 89th Division.

 

 

There were also a couple of WWI "County" Service Banners:

 

lincolncounty.jpg

Lincoln County

 

saintlouis.jpg

And St. Louis City.

 

 

As a "bonus" here are a couple of Civil War flags from their extensive collection (This is only the "tip" of the proverbial iceberg!)

 

moconfed.jpg

This flag would have been Missouri's "Battle Flag" had the state "officially" seceded and joined the Confederacy.

 

marmaduke.jpg

And this was General John S. Marmaduke's flag. It was captured by the Union in 1864 when he became a prisoner of war, it was returned after the war ended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bluehawk]

Many wondrous artifacts - that field desk caught my eye especially.

 

Thank you for posting...