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U.S. Articles of Interest
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Grand Prize for U.S. Marine Marksmanship (1 of 10) (Item USARTICLES 1-1; BRITSCOT 3-7) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is the coveted prize that was given for the first prize in the U.S. Marine Corps shooting competition. The statue represents an English longbow man of medieval times and this has come to be known as the epitome of historical marksmanship recognized throughout the world. You can see from this clipping from a 1960s edition of National Rifleman that Lt. James Bowen received one of these coveted prizes when he won the National Service Rifle Championship in 1967. Bowen was not only a crack shot, but he trained snipers for the Marines during his service in Vietnam. The bronze bowman is perfect in every detail and color and would have to be considered one of the most historically important bronze sculptures offered. The piece was limited to 10 ever made. This is a huge bronze weighing about 80 pounds. It measures 30 inches from the bottom of the marble base to the top of the archer’s helmet. The base is 17 x 10 inches; the bow measures more than 26 inches from end to end. The original design is be Pierre Tourgueneff. The piece is not only important historically, but it’s dramatic and colorful. Imagine this in your office or den. Remember, it’s been 40 years since this was made and presented, and only 10 existed.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Old West Marshal’s Badge (Item USARTICLES 1-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a U.S. Marshal's badge in sterling silver and it looks to be completely hand engraved. The federal marshals had no particular type of standard badge and used whatever they chose and bought or commissioned, so various types exist in collections in museums, today. Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876) was a noted western lawman. He served as a deputy U.S. marshal at Fort Riley, Kansas, and contrary to the movies he never wore his badge, but carried in his vest pocket. Wyatt Earp (1848-1905), did sport his badge similar to the one we offer. He was appointed to his brother, Virgil Earp’s, place by the Arizona territorial governor “Bat” Masterson, who also for a time was a U.S. marshal. The badge is a real beauty with the cutout star and a fine floral carving. This is a very nice western relic.
PRICE: $385.00 |
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| DESCRIPTION: During the first decade of the 19th century many of the highest ranking American officers purchased swords of the variety typified by the saber that we offer here. These sabers were made in France in what the continental taste of the period considered the very best tradition. These swords most beautiful in their presentation that were made especially for the American market usually possessed eagle-head pommels and decorations using American motifs. The fact that these swords were worn by high-ranking officers is indicated not only by the quality of the weapons, but by the overall length and the length of the blade which is even longer than that prescribed for field officers in the regulations of 1801. The curved blade is single edged with a rudimentary false edge extending back about 9 inches from the point. A very broad fuller begins at the hilt and runs to a point just past the beginning of the false edge. It’s ornamented in gilt etching on the obverse side with the American eagle with the motto: “e pluribus unum” in a scroll above the eagle’s head. Various floral patterns are interspaced along the length of three fourths of the blade. The reverse also has three blued panels with military trophies and more floral designs. The grips are usually composed of two plaques of mother of pearl reeded obliquely with checkered design and this one is no exception even to the joints between the plaques that are covered both above and below with a fine leaf design in the finest Napoleonic pattern. The knuckle bow which curves in an even arc is decorated with further leaves in the French tradition. This culminates in a downward thrust on the other side of the languet with a lioness’ head beautifully executed. There are shield-shaped languets on each side of the blade with rectangular panels above them. The one on the obverse side bears the likeness of a helmeted Roman suit of armor with crossed Roman swords behind it. The reverse languet has a shield with various weapons, swords, axes. All-metal parts of the hilt are brass. The scabbard is of brass also. The scabbard is very elaborately decorated with three raised separately affixed panels employing helmets, flags, shields, armor, lances, lion heads, axes, pole arms, all beautifully arrayed. The panels are about 3 1/4 inches long and almost an inch and a half wide. The scabbard has two carrying rings with an asymmetrical drag. The scabbard has other floral designs in an engraved-looking appearance. Now! How is this one different from the other rare examples of the 1810-model officers’ swords? This lies in the fact that each example of this sword seen in museums and prestigious collections bears as its pommel the eagle’s head cast most realistically. Here the similarity ends. Because this obviously specially ordered custom sword has the head of Mars, the Roman god of war, as its pommel. There he is in all his martial glory with his dragon motif helmet upon his head. This feature had to be a very special order and sets this sword apart from all the other rare 1810 swords. The former owner must have been a particularly martial-minded officer to have this sword made to his specifications employing Mars. Being a sword from 1800-810 it is not being too speculative to suppose that it was used by its owner in the War of 1812 2 years later. It is a fantastic find and certainly an important historical relic. The design is of course taken from the patterns used by marshals of Napoleon’s Grand Armée, but it is American, very American and the finest sword to come along in a long time. The blade is in grade ‘average’ condition for weapons of this age. It has not been sharpened, shortened, abused, but after sitting in its scabbard for just short of 200 years, it shows its age. The blade is actually not bad at all considering, but the panels closest to the languets have some accumulated rust that could be easily removed; however, since the gilded designs are also at this point we would considered it dangerous to do so. A museum conservation team might be able to accomplish this goal if it were thought advisable or necessary. The rest of the blade is really average for condition. The grips, thank goodness, are intact except for a very small crack that is near the place where the pommel meets the grip on the obverse side. This is in itself incredible. Think about it! So, except for the blade rust (unavoidable) this sword is in noteworthy condition. Its importance is obvious; its beauty patently obvious; the best!
PRICE: $15,000 |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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