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The included notarized
statement from Sandra Giovannetti Murray which states that this revolver and the accompanying sword/ machete were personally given to her grandfather Edmond Giovannetti by General John Pershing in the first half of the 20th century. She further indicates that her grandfather was a master carpenter in Washington, D.C., and constructed a custom cabinet for Pershing after which he was given these artifacts. Murray indicates the revolver and sword were passed down to her father, Vincent Edmund Giovannetti, who in turn passed them on to her. Mrs. Murray that Pershing may have acquired the sword as a souvenir during the Spanish-American War or subsequently during his service in Mexico, Cuba, or the Philippines and added that the sword was unidentified but that “Further research should easily identify its origin.” Indeed, the sword is a Spanish-American War era “officer’s machete or “pioneer machete” made by Ferd. Esser & Co. of Elberfeld, Germany. The blade measures 27 1/2 inches in length and has a tanto style point, “FERD. ESSER/ELBERFELD” on the right, and a rampant horse over “MACHETE LAMENTAR” and “No 877/C” on the left. The alloy hilt has an eagle head pommel and contrasting checkered grip scales. The scabbard is brown leather with nickel-silver mounts. This was very likely acquired by Pershing during his service in the Spanish-American War in Cuba or in the Philippines.
The engraving on the revolver covers 70% of the surface and consists mostly of fine floral scrollwork on a punch dot background along with stylized motifs using a variety of patterns such as dots, zig-zag lines and scallops which decorate the top strap, left side of the frame under the cylinder, crane, and front of the right side of the frame. The engraving is consistent with the work of the famed Cuno Helfricht Shop, possibly by Helfricht himself as the quality of engraving is extremely high. The revolver also features a rounded blade front sight, the two-line address and patent marking ending in “MAR. 5. 95.” on top of the barrel, “COLT. D.A. 38” in an engraved panel on the left side of the barrel, “J.T.T.” on the left side of the trigger guard, “K” and “9753” on the cylinder latch, “9753” on the frame and crane, “U.S./ARMY/MODEL/1903/ No/219/753” on the butt, and checkered grips.
General of the Armies John Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing (1860-1948) is among the most famous military leaders in American history. In 1903, when the revolver was shipped, he had already become well-known after his victories and had just returned home after successfully leading U.S. troops against the Moros in the Philippines.