
Arms, Armor, and the Early West
Arms, Armor, and the Early West
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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:
Red Leather Sword Belt of Sam Houston
Lot # 76 (Sale Order: 76 of 429)
**Good condition overall. Some wear to edges and loosening of bullion wire. Some tarnishing and verdigris on brass parts.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$2,000-$4,000
Saddle Pad and Blanket of General Sam Houston
Lot # 77 (Sale Order: 77 of 429)
Leather construction with muslin lining and fiber padding. Underside of pad stenciled "LAUREL D".
**Fair condition. Center has split from age and use exposing fiber padding. Some stitching repairs evident. Leather shows some scratching and wear from age and use.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$10,000-$20,000
Samuel Bell-Made Silver Spurs of Sam Houston, Worn at San Jacinto
Lot # 78 (Sale Order: 78 of 429)
Heel band measures 4.25" x 3". Silver alloy construction with intricate woven silver heel chains. Skillfully sculpted and chiseled hanging studs and terminals. Rowel boxes in the form of rooster heads with eight-pointed iron rowels. Interior of heel bands marked in script "S H" and "S BELL".
Houston wore these spurs at the Texan victory of the Battle of San Jacinto, and later during the ball held on the Anniversary of the battle. A December 1914 article in the Knoxville Sentinel which published a short biography of Bell and his adventures in both Tennessee and Texas, confirms that the San Jacinto spurs were manufactured while he lived in Knoxville, Tennessee.
**Fine condition. Some very minor scattered tarnishing with one shank showing signs of repair. Chains are in good condition with some deformities from use. Some minor remnants of cleaning agent present in low areas from museum conservation. A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a pair of spurs belonging to an American legend, at one of the most pivotal moments in American history.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$50,000-$100,000
Field Desk of Sam Houston
Lot # 79 (Sale Order: 79 of 429)
11.5" x 17" x 16". Wood construction with dovetailed joinery. Iron handle with cut iron nails throughout. Includes key for functional lock.
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$3,000-$5,000
Mexican Officer's Sword of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Captured at San Jacinto
Lot # 80 (Sale Order: 80 of 429)
There is some question as two which of the two swords from the Sam Houston Family Collection is the sword carried at San Jacinto by General Santa Anna.
An article published in the New York Times on February 28, 1898, reprints a response by Sam Houston's son Andrew, published in the Cincinnati Enquirer concerning a claim made by an artist in the city that the latter possessed the sword surrendered by Santa Anna to Houston after the battle.
While Houston admitted the sword owned by the Cincinnati man may have once been owned by Santa Anna, the sword surrendered at the battle was "in possession of my family here in Texas". Inheriting the fighting spirit of his father, he states that the sword would "remain [in the family] unless I should find it necessary to carry it....in the prospective war with Spain."
Houston does not describe the sword in detail, but the article confirms that one of the two swords from his family's collection, subsequently offered at this auction, is the San Jacinto sword of Santa Anna.
**Good condition. Blade is most bright with some scattered oxidation. Some moderate dark brown rust on blade under langlets, with very old leather washer still remaining. Good gilt and bluing remaining on blade. Grip shows an old stable crack from age along its length. Hilt is in good condition with some scattered verdigris. Scabbard is good with matching age and a minor stable split near mouth along seam, along with some handling marks and blemishes.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$75,000-150,000
Presentation Presidential Dress Sword of Santa Anna, Captured at San Jacinto
Lot # 81 (Sale Order: 81 of 429)
Brass lapped scabbard with fan-style ring mounts. Scabbard engraved en suite with hilt "El Presidente/de la Republic Mexico/Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna/Y Perez de Lebron/16 Mayo 1833".
Taken at the Battle of San Jacinto by the victorious Texans, this sword is one of several that would have been carried in the baggage of Santa Anna. As both a general and president, Santa Anna would have possessed multiple swords, to be worn as the occasion required; considering himself "The Napoleon of the West", the General carried with him on campaign the finest possible accoutrements.
**Very good condition overall. Blade has a mostly dark gunmetal patination with moderate scattered oxidation with some wear to bluing and some remnants of gilt. Hilt has a dull luster with some scattered verdigris and darkening in low areas. Scabbard shows some oxidation and verdigris with some dents and wear from age and use.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$75,000-$150,000
Presidential Sword Belt Attributed to Santa Anna, Captured at San Jacinto
Lot # 82 (Sale Order: 82 of 429)
40.25" x 3.5". Red Morocco leather with silver bullion leaf border. Center of belt embroidered with grape vine motifs over black velvet backing. Hanging straps en suite with cast brass fittings. Large 3.68" x 5.5" silver plated belt plate with gilt brass Mexican eagle.
**Very good condition overall. Some pulling and loosening of stitching on edges of belt with some darkening and minor loss of bullion wire throughout, especially on hanging straps. Plate may be a replacement or has been heavily restored. Some tarnishing to brass.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$30,000-$40,000
Pair of Spurs and Shirt Clasp Attributed to Santa Anna, Taken at San Jacinto
Lot # 83 (Sale Order: 83 of 429)
Shirt clasp measures 2.25" x 1". Of good construction in a gold finish with classical female portraits backed in mother of pearl, secured by a double-headed snake clasp.
**Fine condition overall. Some attractive patination present. Good detail remains on feathers and rowels spin freely. Some leftover cleaning agent in low areas from display. Clasp is in fine condition with minimal wear and no cracks to pearl. **
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$3,000-$5,000
Good Silver-Mounted Dagger
Lot # 84 (Sale Order: 84 of 429)
8.75" spearpoint blade, .75" wide at forte. Hilt appears to be of brass with silver plate. Complete with scabbard. While unsigned, this piece bears a close resemblance to works by famed Tennessee, and later Texas, silversmith Samuel Bell, who made a pair of silver spurs worn by Sam Houston.
**Good condition overall. Some imperfections to blade with red felt washer present. Blade is somewhat loose. Some tarnishing to plate finish. A very attractive dagger overall.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$2,000-$4,000
Good Belt Knife with Mother of Pearl Grips
Lot # 85 (Sale Order: 85 of 429)
7.125" clip-point blade with 2.5" false edge. Faceted ferule with carved mother of pearl grip scales. Nickel-silver mounts with faceted pommel. No scabbard. While unsigned, this piece bears a close resemblance to works by famed Tennessee, and later Texas, silversmith Samuel Bell, who made a pair of silver spurs worn by Sam Houston.
**Good condition overall. Some wear and scratches to blade with grip scales in good condition. Some tarnishing to mounts.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$1,000-$1,500
CDV of Sam Houston
Lot # 86 (Sale Order: 86 of 429)
6.5" x 4.25". Depicts Sam Houston in his later years, around the US Civil War period. No imprint or maker's mark visible.
**Good condition. Some minor foxing and wear to edges of mount. Image shows some very minor deterioration.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$600-$800
Salt Print of General Sam Houston as Member of US Senate
Lot # 87 (Sale Order: 87 of 429)
Good Italian Flintlock Pistol
Lot # 88 (Sale Order: 88 of 429)
20 bore, 6.25" barrel, NSN. Bright finish with walnut stock. Iron ramrod pipe, entry pipe, triggerguard, and buttcap. Barrel chiseled near breech with ribbons, and a panoply of arms consisting of a knife, pair of pistols, and flintlock musket. Attractive silver inlay on grip of eagle with floral motifs and "PB" in a gilt oval.
**Good condition overall. Barrel has a light pewter coloration with some minor oxidation. Some handling marks and blemishes to stock with silver fittings having a dull luster. Action is functional. A very attractive pistol regardless of its provenance.**
Provenance
James Sylvester/New Orleans Picayune Collection
$1,000-$1,500
Composite Flintlock Pistol
Lot # 89 (Sale Order: 89 of 429)
15 bore, 9.25" barrel, NSN. Bright finish with walnut stock. Brass ramrod pipe, entry pipe, triggerguard, buttcap, and sideplate. Replaced James Golcher lockplate with reinforced cock and ovoid pan with fence and roller frizzen. Lockplate engraved with broad scrolls. Barrel shows British commercial proofs.
**Very good condition as-is. Barrel has a dark even patination with some scattered old pitting. Some handling marks and blemishes to stock with much original finish remaining. Sideplate screws and tang screw appear to be replacements. Action is functional.**
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
$800-$1,200
Lion's Head Saber used as 1893 Statue Model
Lot # 90 (Sale Order: 90 of 429)
30" single-edged blade, 1" wide at forte. Brass hilt with grip in the form of a flowing lion's mane. Leather scabbard with brass fittings.
This sword was used by sculptress Elizabet Ney as a model for the sword held by Houston in her statue commissioned for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 by the Board of Lady Managers of the Chicago World's Fair Association. The statue was later moved to Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., with a copy also made by Ney currently standing in the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
**Very good condition. Some minor oxidation and scratches to blade with hilt showing a dull luster with an overall bronze patination. Some flaking and wear to finish of scabbard with matching patination of fittings.**
$2,000-$3,000
Provenance
Sam Houston Family Collection
Republic of Mexico General Officer's Full Dress Uniform Attributed to Santa Anna
Lot # 91 (Sale Order: 91 of 429)
Cuffs, collar, and front panel adorned with gold and silver bullion embroidery in a floral style. Shoulder straps are of the regulation type with heavy gold bullion embroidery featuring a Mexican eagle flanked by two five-point silver stars, surrounded by floral designs. Coattails with two large 12x11cm bullion Mexican eagle patches.
French-made epaulettes of the stiffened type with heavily embroidered strap with crescent of alternating twisted wire and 49mm gold fringe. Insignia en suite with straps. Epaulettes secured by metal hook showing makers mark of a crown and "MARQUE DE FABRIQUE". Both show two-piece buttons with Mexican eagle over "RM".
**Very good condition overall. Some scattered areas of repair throughout with one later repair to outside of right sleeve. Some moth holes to lining of coattails. Some staining of interior from use. Some fading of color on edges of facing fabric from age. Bullion in fine condition with some scattered loss of silver wire wrap on threads. Some scattered loss of stitching and light pulling of threads. Rear right sleeve seam has ripped and is held with pins, likely caused by display on mannequins weakening stitching. Some later reinforcing stitching present throughout.**
For serious inquiries or more detailed condition reports on this lot, please contact us at info@lewisandgrant.com.
Provenance
New Orleans Picayune / James A. Sylvester Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
$50,000-$75,000
Presentation Sword of Captain Samuel Walker from the Citizens of New Orleans
Lot # 92 (Sale Order: 92 of 429)
Backstrap of guard engraved in fine script and "Old English" font "Presented by the Citizens of New Orleans to/Cpt. Samuel H. Walker/of the Texas Rangers for Valor & Gallantry/displayed at Palo Alto & Resaca Del La Palma/May 14, 1846."
A May 16, 1846 article in the New Orleans Picayune Newspaper states the sword was purchased via a subscription at Bravo's Exchange in honor of Walker's actions at the aforementioned battles; Palo Alto being the first major Battle of the Mexican-American War, and Resaca De La Palma, a battle that took place the next day. A later article in the Lagrange Intelligencer, dated May 30, reports the same.
Samuel Hamilton Walker, a native of Maryland, began his military career with the Washington City Volunteers in the Creek Campaign of 1836. Enjoying the life of adventure in the field offered by the military, he was employed as a scout in Florida until 1841, when he traveled to Texas. While in Texas, he participated in the Texan Revolution and was a survivor of the infamous "Black Bean Episode", where seventeen captured Texan Soldiers were executed after drawing a black bean from a jar. After escaping from Mexican captivity, Walker returned to Texas and joined with the Texas Rangers under John Coffee Hays.
Walker may be best remembered for his contribution to the revolver that bears his name. Desiring a more powerful weapon than the single-shot 1842 percussion pistols then in use by the Army, Walker collaborated with gunmaker Samuel Colt, who had recently lost his business, despite the numbers of Patterson revolvers ordered by the new Republic of Texas. The resulting design was a massive .44 caliber revolver, of which just over 1,000 were made. The order provided Colt with enough funds to restart his business and take his place in history alongside Captain Walker.
At the time of the presentation, Walker was still in the field commanding a company of Texas Rangers. The sword was placed in the care of Louisiana Militia General Persifor Frazer Smith, who had only days before accepted a commission as a Colonel in the US Army Regulars and was soon to depart for General Taylor's army.
**Excellent to fine condition overall. Blade is bright with some scattered oxidation and old patches of pitting from age. Minor imperfections to cutting edge. Some dulling of brass with grip showing some very minor loss of leather. Pommel with some dents and damage, appearing that it was used as a hammer or mallet. Some minor flaking of finish on scabbard. A fine and important piece of Texas history presented to the father of the "Walker" revolver.**
$75,000-$150,000
Provenance
Captain Samuel Walker
Dr. Roy Horton
Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, 2009-2011
Fine Quarter-Plate Daguerreotype
Lot # 93 (Sale Order: 93 of 429)
**Fine condition. Case is in two parts and shows some minor wear and scratches. Image is clear with only minor imperfections.**
Provenance
Dr. Roy Horton
$600-$1,000
Eighth-Plate Daguerreotype
Lot # 94 (Sale Order: 94 of 429)
**Good condition. Case shows some wear to exterior finish with hinge in good condition. Some speckling and silvering to mat and image, though it retains a clear view of the face and body. Appears to have been resealed.**
Provenance
Dr. Roy Horton
$600-$900
Receipt for Horse Signed by Captain Samuel H. Walker at Veracruz, April 18, 1847
Lot # 95 (Sale Order: 95 of 429)
**Fine condition overall. Some minor fading of ink present.**
$500-$700
Letter of Safe Conduct for William Garl Brown, Jr. Signed by Captain Samuel H. Walker, August 1847
Lot # 96 (Sale Order: 96 of 429)
The full-size portrait, commissioned by the Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, was painted just after the Battle of Buena Vista. Upon his return, the painting was shown to the public for a 25-cent admission fee. It currently resides at the Louisiana State Museum.
**Good condition overall. Some foxing of paper with a large old stain in the center.**
$500-$700
Republic of Mexico Presidential-Grade Full Dress Coat Attributed to Santa Anna
Lot # 97 (Sale Order: 97 of 429)
Four-piece dark blue wool body with separate tails. Body and tails lined with black silk, sleeves lined with brown silk. Front has been fitted with nine two-piece 22.5mm brass buttons with rounded shanks and applied Mexican eagles holding a ribbon reading ?REPUBLICA MEXICANA?. Backmark with ?*SUPERIOR*QUALITY? between two dotted lines. Twelve brass hook-and-eye type closures attached with brown thread.
Red wool broadcloth collar and cuffs, the cuffs fitted with 14mm buttons en suite with body; the left with three buttons, with backmarks ?[anchor] TW&W PARIS [anchor]?, the right with two buttons, one with [anchor] TW&W PARIS [anchor] backmark, the other unmarked.
Dark blue wool coat tails are attached to the body with a well?concealed hand stitched seam. False pocket flaps with true internal pockets on tails lined with white muslin. Back point fitted with three buttons en suite with body, showing ?*SUPERIOR*QUALITY? backmarks. Each tail with 11.5x10cm patches of Mexican eagles embroidered in gold and silver bullion.
Covered with detailed gold bullion embroidered floral designs highlighted with sequins.
One of the flagship items of this auction, the "Tehuacan Coat" was taken by members of the Texas Rangers after an unsuccessful attempt to capture Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna as he resided in the Village of Tehuacan in the State of Puebla. Upon discovering he had fled the village, the Rangers helped themselves to the General's baggage, though the property of his wife was returned to her.
The coat was initially taken by Captain Ephraim Dagget, the "Father of Fort Worth", to whom Santa Anna made an offer of over $1,000 for return of the jacket; Dagget refused, preferring to keep his prize. Upon return to the United States, Dagget gave the coat to his commander, Colonel John Coffee Hays, who would wear it to a grand ball in celebration of the American victory.
It remained in the Hays family until it was sold by his widow, Sarah Hays, along with the other items in the Hays collection. This item is accompanied with several associated objects paired with it for museum display, including a Mexican General's sash attributed to Santa Anna, a pair of Mexican Officer's epaulettes, and a pair of trousers of unknown origin.
**Very good condition overall. Some minor scattered insect holes and wear. Some pulling to stitching and separation of lining to interior. Some buttons may have been replaced along with some evidence of repair, possibly by previous owners as a stabilization effort for display. A true treasure of history with excellent provenance, worthy of any museum in the world, or the ultimate piece of any private collection.**
Serious inquiries on item condition and detailed historical provenance should contact info@lewisandgrant.com
$50,000-$100,000
Provenance
Colonel John Hays Collection
Harry B. Crozier Collection
Texas Centennial Celebration Display
Stafford Engraving Company Collection
Ormsby Company Collection
Mexican Officer's Cloak
Lot # 98 (Sale Order: 98 of 429)
Heavy maroon wool construction with black polished cotton lining. Trimmed with 1.875" bimetallic lace trim. Dark blue velvet collar with matching time. Raw edges to hem. Fitted with gilt brass clasps with eagle rosettes.
**Good condition overall. Clasps may have been added later or repaired for museum display. Only minor ae wear to body with some very minor moth holes. Lining in good condition.**
$1,000-$3,000
Provenance
New Orleans Picayune/James A. Sylvester Collection
?Battle for Texas: The Experience?, San Antonio, Texas
Mexican Presidential-Grade Chapeau Attributed to Santa Ana
Lot # 99 (Sale Order: 99 of 429)
16.5" x 10". Wool felt construction, trimmed in hand-sewn gold lace. Grosgrain ribbon with black silk-backed Mexican cockade. Three rows of bright gold bullion with coin-style Mexican eagle button with "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS". Leather sweatband with hand-stitched lining with "M.C. St. JOHN/118 Broadway/New York".
**Fine condition overall. Some fading of colors and staining of body with some wear on folds. Some wear to edges of cockade and tarnishing of bullion. Button may be a replacement, feathers are a replacement. Seatband is intact but dry from age, with some minor staining of lining from wear with moderately worn maker's stamp. A must-have item for serious collectors, or a museum focused on military of North American history.**
Provenance
Colonel John Hays Collection
Harry B. Crozier Collection
Texas Centennial Celebration Display
Stafford Engraving Company Collection
Ormsby Company Collection
$10,000-$20,000
Mexican General Officer's Chapeau Attributed to Santa Ana
Lot # 100 (Sale Order: 100 of 429)
**Good condition. Some cracking and splitting of wool with sweatband showing some wear from age. Lining is intact. Some evidence of conservation and restoration including glue reinforcement of body, likely replaced eagle ornament, and attachment of feathers.**
Provenance
Colonel John Hays Collection
Harry B. Crozier Collection
Texas Centennial Celebration Display
Stafford Engraving Company Collection
Ormsby Company Collection
$10,000-$15,000