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LOT 3337
Scarce Marlow White/Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie. “President Bush” Pattern Gold-Blue Saber with Eagle Head Pommel and Scabbard - The included July 14, 2015, letter from Marlow White President Timothy J. Cahill explains: “In 2004, Texas
A&M University desired to present special gifts to both President George W. Bush and his father President George H.W. Bush -- sabers styled after the US Army’s historic
General Officer Saber, but with the Texas A&M University etch on the blades and with the sabers created in what we term the ‘gold-blue’ style.” They also note that in addition
to the sabers presented to the presidents, only two others were made in 2004. One kept
by WKC, and one owned by Lawrence M. Watson of Harlingen, Texas. An article by Watson in the October 2006 issue of “Military Trader” on these swords is also included providing further background. He indicates the order for these swords came through Robert Forrest of Bryan Surplus in College Station, Texas, where Texas A&M is located and also where the elder Bush made his home and established his presidential library and museum. Bryan Surplus were the distributors for A&M sabers for their corps of cadets. He indicated George H.W. Bush had received his by that time, but that due to the events of September 11, 2001, then President George W. Bush had not yet been to College Station to receive his. He may have received it subsequently when he gave a commencement speech in 2008. After learning about these special presidential presentation swords, Watson ordered one himself, this sword, which differs only in having the U.S.
Army etching instead of the Texas A&M etching. He notes “The presentation-grade saber with the eagle’s head in the author’s collection will likely not be manufactured again.” The sword has a 30 inch, lightly curved
blade finished in gold with 16 inch panels of etching with niter blued backgrounds, WKC maker’s mark on the left, and the six-pointed star on the right. The gilt brass hilt has an eagle head pommel, floral patterns, and an imitation shagreen grip. The scabbard has gilt fittings with floral scroll patterns and a nickel body. A light blue “US Army Officer Sword/Blade Size - 30 inch” marked WKC sword bag is also included.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with minimal light handling and storage wear such as some fading of the gold wash on the scabbard and slightly discolored grip. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3338
Rare Ames Sword Co. Experimental Model 1905/1906 Cavalry Saber and Leather Bound Scabbard - On page 207 of “The Ames Sword Company 1829-1935” by Hamilton, the author indicates that the company delivered 1,039 of these experimental swords as
part of a 20,000 sword contract signed in 1904. The rest of the swords were the Model 1860 pattern. It has a distinctive “boot” shaped grip wrapped in shagreen and alternating plain and braided wire, a blued iron hilt with knurled “boot” section, and a 31 7/8 inch lightly curved blade marked
with “A.S.Co/flaming bomb/1906” on the right ricasso and “U.S.” on the left ricasso. The iron scabbard is bound in dark brown leather and includes a thick leather drag. The left side is stamped “59.” CONDITION: Very fine with minor light age and storage related wear on the scabbard and hilt and exceptionally bright excellent blade. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3339 Outstanding World War II U.S. Kinfolks M3 Combat Knife, 1943 Dated in Early Blade-Marked Configuration, with M6 Sheath - The main-line American Army fighting knife of World War II, the M3 knife was introduced to service with the right flat of the blade used as a location for the maker’s marks. While a nice, broad canvas, concerns were raised that the blade stamps could have a negative effect on the strength of the knife, so only the earliest M3s are so marked. 11 11/16 inches overall, with a blued 6 3/4 inch blade with a spear point, sharpened false edge, and “U.S. M3 KINFOLKS 1943” on the right flat. The guard and pommel are blued, with the guard unmarked and a “flaming bomb” stamp on the pommel next to the tang, and a ribbed leather washer grip. With a brown leather Milsco M6 sheath, dated 1943 with steel reinforcement plates and integral hanger. CONDITION: Excellent, the blade, guard, and pommel retaining 98% plus of the original blue finish with some very slight wear showing bright grey on edges and high spots. The grip is also excellent with minimal handling evidence. An outstanding early M3 combat knife from one of the more rare manufacturers! Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3340
Scarce and Desirable U.S. Model 1900 Krag
Bowie Bayonet with Scabbard - Produced
(and dated) for trial in 1900, as a replacement for the
standard bayonet which could pull double duty as a brush knife. Measuring 13 3/4 inches
overall, the 9 inch blade has a deep back clip point and a 2 1/2 inch sharpened edge on the spine, with “US” on the right ricasso and “1900” on the left. All of the metal is bright, with a pair of smooth wood scales completing the grip. With a full metal sheath, which features the distinct ball tip and 100 degree belt swivel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, the metal components including the excellent blade showing almost entirely bright with the primary edge appearing to have never been sharpened. The grip scales are very fine with some scattered minor handling marks. The scabbard is also very fine retaining 80% of the original blue finish and the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina.
LOT 3341
Rare Early Production Iron Guard U.S. Springfield Model 1880 Hunting Knife Serial Number 579 with Swivel Sheath - Serial
no. 579. Constructed
in the early style iron
guard configuration
with a ribbed wood handle,
of which only 1,002 were manufactured. It measures 13
1/2 inches overall, with an 8 1/2 inch single edged blade set in an iron guard marked “579” on the right and “U.S. SPRINGFIELD” on the left. The ribbed wood grip has “S.W.P./1881” stamped on the butt. Includes a brown leather sheath, fitted with a brass throat and a belt loop with hinged cartridge loop bar and Watervliet Arsenal marks on the back.
CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly bright with some scattered light spotting, and the guard showing some slightly aged patina. The grip is fine with a couple moderate chips absent from the edge of the butt and otherwise minor handling marks. The sheath is good with some moderate wear, some light verdigris on the attractively aged brass, and the swivel portion of the belt hook reattached to the sheath in a way that has prevented it from swiveling. A very rare U.S. military knife!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
224 Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000