
Arms, Armor, and the Early West
Arms, Armor, and the Early West
See Special Terms for additional fees
Cash Payment Discount: 3%
Description
sale of historical artifacts and collectibles, many of which have been featured in numerous historical exhibitions and institutions. Headlining the sale are selections from the General Samuel Houston Collection, victor of the Battle of San Jacinto and first President of the Republic of Texas. These lots include not only artifacts from his early military career including a militia officers chapeau (Lot 72), his field desk (Lot 79), and saddle pad (Lot 77), but also the sword belt (Lot 75), silver spurs (Lot 78) and presentation saber (Lot 74) worn by Houston at San Jacinto. Another artifact from the Battle of San Jacinto, a Mexican General Officer’s Coat attributed to Santa Anna (Lot 91) comes from the collection of James Sylvester, the only color-bearer at the battle as well as the soldier credited with Santa Anna’s capture. Sylvester was employed at the New Orleans Picayune Newspaper and spent many years of his life collecting arms and objects associated with the Texan Revolution to... Show more
Lot Location:
**Japanese Nambu Type 94 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 51 (Sale Order: 51 of 429)
**Very good condition. Retains the majority of its finish with some very light silvering around the edges from use.**
$800-$1,200
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 52 (Sale Order: 52 of 429)
**Very good condition. Retains the majority of the blue finish except for some very light silvering around the edges from wear and wood grips show little wear. Leather pull tab has been torn away at the tip but keyhole connector is still present and in working condition, it has tight stitching and leather is in fairly good shape.**
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 53 (Sale Order: 53 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some very light silvering around the edges from wear as well as some light pitting. Wood grips show a little wear. Holster has some loose stitching around the flap connection area and is starting to pull away. **
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 54 (Sale Order: 54 of 429)
**In very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some silvering around the edges from wear and the grips show little wear. Holster has tight stitching and leather plug in the bottom is still present.***
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 55 (Sale Order: 55 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some dots of very light pitting and light silvering around the edges from wear and wood grips show little wear. Holster has tight stitching and leather is in good shape.**
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 56 (Sale Order: 56 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some very light silvering around the edges from wear and wood grips show little to no wear. Holster has a few loose threads around the flap area and flap is starting to pull away.**
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 57 (Sale Order: 57 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some silvering around the edges from wear and the grips show little wear. **
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 58 (Sale Order: 58 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some silvering around the edges from wear and wood grips show little wear. Holster has tight stitching, straps (stitching on straps are loose), and leather plug in the bottom is still present. **
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 59 (Sale Order: 59 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some very light silvering around the edges from wear and wood grips show little to no wear. Holster has tight stitching and leather is in good shape.**
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 60 (Sale Order: 60 of 429)
**Very good condition. Retains the majority of the blue finish except for some silvering around the edges from wear and the grips show little wear. Holster has tight stitching, straps (stitching on straps are loose), and leather plug in the bottom is still present.**
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 61 (Sale Order: 61 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some silvering around the edges from wear. Holster has tight stitching, straps (stitching on straps are loose), and leather plug in the bottom is still present.**
$800-$1,000
**WW2 Japanese Nambu Type 14 Pistol with Holster
Lot # 62 (Sale Order: 62 of 429)
**Very good condition. It retains the majority of the blue finish except for some silvering around the edges from wear and wood grips show little wear. Holster has tight stitching, straps (stitching on straps are loose), and leather plug in the bottom is still present. **
$800-$1,000
**Lend-Lease Colt US M1911A1 Pistol
Lot # 63 (Sale Order: 63 of 429)
**Very good condition. Parkerized finish is in good shape except a slight "dummy mark scratch" from field stripping it and some silvering around the edges from wear. Grips are original and in good shape with reinforced rings and a few very minor marks from wear. **
$1,500-$2,500
**Remington Rand US M1911A1 Pistol
Lot # 64 (Sale Order: 64 of 429)
**In very good condition with exception. Parkerized finish is in excellent shape except for one Black painted mark on the top front of the slide behind the front sight (could have been done by the G.I. for various reasons possibly for shading sunlight while sighting the pistol for target), also there is no "dummy mark scratch" from field stripping.**
$1,500-$2,500
**Remington Rand US M1911A1 Pistol
Lot # 65 (Sale Order: 65 of 429)
**In very good to excellent condition. The parkerized finish is in very good shape with some light silvering around the edges and a few very small blemishes on the left side. The wood checkered grips show wear but are in good shape with no cracks, chips, or major damage.**
$1,300-$1,800
Venetian Schiavona Basket Hilt Broadsword
Lot # 66 (Sale Order: 66 of 429)
**Leather-covered grip intact, as is the rain chape at the front of the basket to prevent moisture from entering the scabbard when the sword is sheathed. With scabbard complete with its fittings and period leather covering in fine condition. The blade shows period use, is gray with light dark staining. The guard and pommel have a nice untouched dark patina. The leather is still on the handle but missing the wire. The iron components with untouched old patina.**
$2,000-$3,000
European Sword of Justice/ Headsman Sword Ca. 1600
Lot # 67 (Sale Order: 67 of 429)
Though normally associated with German-speaking countries, these swords were also used in Poland, with several examples in the National Museum in Krakow, and blades of this form are also found in Hungarian hilts as well, one example residing in the Wallace Collection in London, England.
**The blade surface with light to moderate pitting in areas, losses to figurative engraving ahead of the inscription panels, brass with patina, leather intact. In a contemporary scabbard.**
$2,500-$5,000
Rare Boyle & Gamble Confederate Staff Officer's Sword
Lot # 68 (Sale Order: 68 of 429)
**Good condition overall. Blade has a dark gunmetal patination with scattered oxidation and old pitting throughout. Moderate imperfections to cutting edge. Guard shows some casting imperfections, as is common with Confederate made swords. All of the leather and wire wrapping has worn off revealing the wood core. A good, example of this Confederate sword.**
$3,000-$5,000
Cased Presentation Model 1872 Officer's Saber of Major George R. Burdick, California National Guard
Lot # 69 (Sale Order: 69 of 429)
George R. Burdick was elected Captain of Company B of the 1st Infantry Regiment, California National Guards on October 22, 1885, previously having served as its First Sergeant. He was promoted to Major In January of 1891.
Three years later, Burdick and his San Francisco command participated in the famous Pullman Strike of 1894, in which employees of the Pullman Car Manufacturing Company, supported by the American Railway Union, went on strike demanding better wages. The strike soon interfered with the delivery of mail, which resulted in the army being called out to force the strikers to return to work.
Burdick remained in the California National Guard until September 1895, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
**Good condition overall. Some scattered oxidation and light spider rust on blade with gilt in good condition overall. Matching wear to scabbard. Some wear and staining of case lining.**
$1,000-$2,000
Rare 1836 Republic of Texas Army Button
Lot # 70 (Sale Order: 70 of 429)
**Fine condition with good gilt and strong shank.**
$1,000-$2,000
Pair of Boots Attributed to General Sam Houston
Lot # 71 (Sale Order: 71 of 429)
"Common boot" style with black leather two-piece construction, squared toes, and straight shaft. Contrasting leather cuff with pull straps. Double-row diamond-pegged soles with rounded heel plates. Shoes show a slight left/right fit with felt inserts. Marked on the front of shaft "PATNA" in serifed script and "11" on soles, which is correct for custom-made boots, as shoe makers often used proprietary sizing systems. Likely worn by Houston later in his life.
**Good condition. Leather remains mostly pliable with some wear and flaking of finish present. Some creasing from age and storage. Soles are in good condition with nearly all pegs remaining. A good example of early boots.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$1,000-$3,000
Major General's Chapeau Attributed to Sam Houston
Lot # 72 (Sale Order: 72 of 429)
15.5" x 13". Beaver felt construction with .57"silk trim and 4" cockade. Cockade fitted with brass eagle and twisted dead/bright bullion trim. Leather sweatband with tie closure. Silk lined with vents. Lining shows old maker's mark of an American Indian armed with a bow surrounded by "WATERPROOF/JAMES HA(??)GHT/BRIDGEWATER". Folds flat.
This French-inspired "chapeau" or "fore-and-aft" hat was commonly worn by militia officers of the Federalist Period, and was regulation wear for officers of the US Regular Army for much of that time. Houston would have worn this hat in his capacity as a Major General of Tennessee Militia after his election to that position in 1821.
**Very good to fine condition overall. Some aging to fur felt with some minor bald patches and insect damage. Trim shows some minor wear but is well attached. Sweatband shows some loss of finish from age and use as does liner, with both showing some creasing from repeated folding. Maker's mark mostly legible.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$3,000-$5,000
Model 1836 Major General's Epauletes Attributed to Sam Houston
Lot # 73 (Sale Order: 73 of 429)
6.25" x 3.5" epaulettes with 3.5" x .54 fringe backed by 3" x .26" fringe. Backed in padded yellow silk. Crescent with embroidered bight and dead bullion bordered by sequins. Each fitted with two silver bullion six-pointed stars of correct differing sizes, secured with pins. Hand stitching visible throughout. Each marked on underside "Gold" in pencil.
**Very good condition overall. Bullion is bright with minimal pulling, unraveling, or fraying. Some pulling and detachment of cotton ties. No buttons.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$2,000-$4,000
Presentation Saber of Major General Sam Houston, Carried at San Jacincto
Lot # 74 (Sale Order: 74 of 429)
34.25" single-edged blade 1.25" wide at forte. French "An XI" pattern with three-branch brass guard, ovoid langlets, and single recurved quillon with wire-wrapped leather grip. Steel scabbard with brass mounts.
Fire-blued and gilt panoplies of arms featuring American flags. On the reverse, an engraved American eagle with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" in a ribbon. Blade also lightly engraved with "Garde Nationale Artillerie" on reverse with "Liberte Ordre Public". A presentation inscription on the pommel and backstrap reads "Presented May 1, 1822 by the/Tennessee State Militia/To/Major General Samuel Houston". Obverse ricasso marked "Solingen" with "S&K" on reverse.
This saber was carried throughout the Texas Revolution, but most notable the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, in which Houston and just over 900 men attacked nearly 1,400 Mexicans under the command of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Lasting less than half an hour, the battle would bring about the end of the revolution, and secured a peace treaty paving the way for Texan independence.
**Good condition overall. Blade shows some tarnishing and oxidation from age with some scratching and marring of finish from age and use. Gold fire blue remaining with some visible gilt in engravings. Some verdigris in low areas of guard with wire coming loose from grip. Scabbard shows matching oxidation and patches of rust scaling. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the most martial arms in American history, carried by Texas' most significant founding father.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$100,000-$300,000
Officer's Saber Belt of Sam Houston
Lot # 75 (Sale Order: 75 of 429)
37.25" x 1.87". Red Morocco leather "sewn-over" construction with stamped gilt trim and panoplies of arms. Sewn-in hanger straps. Stamped 2.125" x 2.875 plate with pin-on-bar attachments and "common" American eagle plate.
This belt was worn by Houston throughout his life, and is believed to have been worn at San Jacinto.
**Good condition overall. Leather is somewhat fragile with moderate wear to to edges and straps. Stitching is mostly fast with some minor pulling. Handling strap stitching is somewhat delicate. Plate shows some very minor remnants of a gilt finish on low areas. Though this piece can be handled, it should be done so with care as to not deteriorate its condition.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$5,000-$10,000