Guns, Swords and Blades

	MK 2 Naval combat knife identified to sailor. John C. Laity, Jr.,(died 1999) personalized his Naval knife while serving on the USS Appalachian (See details below for the WW2 service of this vessel). It has survived with its original scabbard. The blade is in excellent condition but shows characteristic carbon spots as would be expected on blades of this vintage. The blade retains most of its original blueing and has never been sharpened. Some minor rusting is present on the pommel but not prominent. The macrame on the handle is a beautiful example honoring the sailors craft and has withstood the passage of time. Item S1031   $595.00 US Appalachian service Following shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay, Appalachian headed south; transited the Panama Canal; and reached San Diego, California, on 26 November. There, after elements of the 4th Marine Division had embarked, and Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly had broken his flag in Appalachian, she got underway on 13 January 1944, bound for Hawaii. After a one-day stop in Pearl Harbor, the ship steamed westward to take part in the invasion of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. The objectives of the northern attack force, which included Appalachian, were the islands of Roi and Namur. The attack opened on 31 January; and the next day, Appalachian entered Kwajalein lagoon and began disembarking the men and equipment of the headquarters battalion of the 4th Marine Division. The area was secured by 5 February. Rear Admiral Conolly shifted his flag to USS Maryland (BB-46), and Appalachian set sail the next day for the Ellice Islands. Her crew enjoyed a week-long respite at Funafuti before the ship sailed to Guadalcanal. She operated in the Solomon Islands until 29 March when she began a return voyage to Hawaii. The vessel reached Pearl Harbor on 8 April and began resupplying. Appalachian returned to Guadalcanal in late April, spent the next six weeks preparing for the impending assault on the Marianas, then, early in June, sailed to Kwajalein, the final staging area for the operation. On 12 June, Appalachian with Major General Roy S. Geiger, USMC, embarked, sortied in a group of transports carrying troops of his III Amphibious Corps. These leathernecks were scheduled to assault Guam. When the force had progressed to within 50 miles of its objective, it was ordered to reverse course to avoid a powerful Japanese fleet which was then approaching the Marianas to contest the American landings. While the American 5th Fleet routed the Japanese warships in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and American ground forces fought fanatical Japanese defensive forces on Saipan, the convoy steamed in readiness on a rectangular course for 16 days. The Guam attack was then postponed, and the group put in at Eniwetok on 28 June for replenishment. It once more set sail for Guam on 11 July. The ships reached their objective on the 14th, and Appalachian joined in the preassault bombardment that morning and continued providing fire support throughout the invasion. On 30 July, Appalachian dropped anchor in Apra Harbor and remained there through the end of the struggle for the island. Guam was officially secured on 10 August, and Appalachian got underway that day, bound for Pearl Harbor. Between 21 August and 2 September, Appalachian carried out training exercises off Maui in preparation for an assault on Yap. However, this operation was later canceled. The ship departed Hawaiian waters on 15 September and proceeded to Manus, Admiralty Islands, for additional training. Appalachian dropped anchor in Seeadler Harbor on 3 October and reported to the 7th Fleet for duty. She sortied on the 14th with invasion forces, bound for Leyte, Philippines. Major General A. V. Arnold, Commander of the Army's 7th Infantry Division, was on board Appalachian. The landings on Leyte, which began on 20 October, met little opposition. After her troops had gone ashore, the ship stood by to supply provisions and freshwater to smaller craft in the area until the 23rd, then headed for New Guinea, and arrived in Humboldt Bay five days later. The ship sailed on for Noumea, New Caledonia, on 20 November. After her arrival there on the 26 November, the crew enjoyed a period of liberty. Appalachian sailed for the Solomons on 17 December, engaged briefly in invasion rehearsals at Guadalcanal, and stood out to sea on Christmas Day bound for Manus. For Appalachian, the year 1945 began with the invasion of the Philippine island of Luzon. She reached Lingayen Gulf on 11 January, landed her troops, and departed the following day. As she was steaming through the South China Sea, she was attacked by Japanese planes. However, she was able to evade the attackers and reached Leyte Gulf on the 15th. Appalachian sailed east on 18 January and made port calls at Ulithi and Pearl Harbor before reaching San Francisco, Calif., on 13 February. She entered the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif., on Valentine's Day to begin overhaul. The ship set out once more for Hawaiian waters on 10 April, arrived in Pearl Harbor on the 16th, and began training exercises off Maui. She sailed for the Marianas on 16 May, and reached Saipan 11 days later. The vessel remained at anchor there until 9 July, when she got underway for the Philippines. She pulled into Manila on 13 July and operated in waters of the archipelago through the end of World War II. Appalachian won four battle stars for her World War II service.
	British Brown Bess Bayonet. This bayonet, circa 1780's, is probably a battlefield pickup. It has not been vigorously cleaned and I would not advise further cleaning since it is beautiful the way it is. A wonderful, sound bayonet with a bit of deterioration on the socket. (Overall length is 20 5/8" and the original owner's measurements are included with your purchase. Item S1030   $195.00
	Civil War era Dragoon back strap. This original back strap is in very good condition, though there is some minor pitting. Note the number "422" at the corner on one side. Item S1029   $50.00
	Civil War M1840 cavalry saber. This specimen is in good condition, except that the grip and washer are missing. The blade, which is 35 inches to the ricasso, still retains an edge. There is some pitting, as might be expected, and no markings are evident on the ricasso. The guard and pommel are solid. All in all, this is a very nice display piece. The overall length is about 41.5 inches. Item S1028   $294.99
	Civil War relic combination tool for the Austrian Lorenz. This tool incorporates a punch and torque pin, cone wrench, and screwdriver, and is pictured in Gun Tools: Their History & Identification, by James B. Shaffer, Lee A. Rutledge and R. Stephen Dorsey, on page 210. A second volume lists 2 more similar tools for the Lorenz, but the length of the wrench portion is shorter on those tools. I recovered this piece in the Appomattox, Virginia, area years ago (not on park property!). It has been cleaned with electrolysis and sprayed with clear acrylic as a preservative. Item S1027   $19.99
	McElroy and Hunt short artillery sword. This style sword was made for the Confederacy in Macon, Georgia. William J. McElroy partnered with Robert J. Hunt early in the war, partnering later with A.G. Herrington. This piece measures just over 24" in length and 1.75" wide at the hilt. Close up photos show detail of the casting flaws that are commonly associated with these pieces. The tip has been blunted by minor sharpening, which occurs only on the very end. (A reproduction scabbard is included with your purchase.) Item S1026   $4200.00
	Civil War era brass Enfield gun tool. This piece was recovered at Berkeley Plantation, the birthplace of "Taps" and where McClellan's troops were stationed early in the war. Berkeley was also the ancestral home of President William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Item S1025   $25.00
	WW I German Hebel flare pistol This piece, used by German troops and u-boats soldiers, features an 8.9375" barrel and is in good working condition. The plate on one side reads "Dapag 2682"; the other side is too faded to read. This pistol is solid, though there is some surface rust. Item S1024   $325.00
	Civil War era Enfield cleaning brush segment. This piece, roughly 5 inches as found, was recovered at Berkley Plantation about forty years ago. Item S1023   $25.00 SOLD
	Ornate copper or brass sword guard. This sword handle part has an elaborate design, with a head in the center. Recovered in Caroline County, Virginia, in 2009 ,this stamped device will display nicely. Item S1022   $39.99
	M1906 Cavalry saber in very good condition. This model was based on the Civil War era M1860 Light Cavalry saber. One side of the ricasso reads "U.S./ JC", the other reads "A. S. Co./ "flaming bomb insignia"/ 1906". This flaming bomb logo was used by the famous Ames Sword Co. on its last couple of sword models, and this 1906 model sword was the very last model they made. The wire wrap on the grip is intact, as is the leather washer, resting tight under the hilt. Some minute spots on the sword appear to be white paint and could easily be removed by the buyer. The overall length of the sword is 40-1/4"; the blade is 34-5/8" long. Item S1019   $249.99
	Austrian M1838 bayonet in very nice condition. This bayonet is as nice an example as you will see. The blade length is 18-1/8" and about 22" overall. There is some typical pitting you would expect of a bayonet this age but it appears to be solid and strong. Scrutiny of the bayonet's surface leads me to believe it may have been painted at some point with black spray paint. Item S1018   $99.99
	Boyle Gamble and MacFee Cavalry Officer's sword made in Richmond, Virginia The sword is in very good condition, never sharpened, has the original wrapping and handle. It is complete with the original oilskin washer. Total length is 38 3/8", blade length is 32 1/2". Although this sword is slightly shorter than most, it is apparently made for a smaller trooper. The brass is strong and intact and has a natural gold patina. It is a good, tight and original Confederate sword that has not been "messed with" - just like you like it. There are some carbon spots along the length of the blade and this piece has never been cleaned, altered or sharpened. (This style sword is referenced in Collecting the Confederacy by Shannon Pritchard pg.211). Item S1017   $4750.00 Reduced!
	2 Civil War combination tools. I recovered these specimens at Appomattox in 1981. On the bottom of the large photo is an M1863 combination tool; an M1842 musket combination tool is on the top. The M1842 tool can be found on page 155 of Gun Tools: Their History and Identification, Volume 1, by James B. Shaffer, Lee A. Rutledge, and R. Stephen Dorsey. The M1863 tool is on page 158 of this book. Both tools have been cleaned with electrolysis and sprayed with clear acrylic as a preservative. Item S1016   Both for $24.99! SOLD
	Vintage fencing foil as used at military academies. The foil appears to be quite old, and though the tip appears broken, it may have been intentional and covered by a protective tip for fencing. There is a leather guard on front of the wooden handle, and over half the original linen or string wrapping remains on the handle. The guard is iron or steel, and the pommel is iron. Remnants of ribbon are present on the handle near the guard. The word "Solingen" on the edge of the blade is enhanced with talc. This steel blade measures 21.5" long; the overall length is 29". Item S1014   $75.00
	M1850 foot officer's sword. This Civil War period sword was based on the French Infantry Sword of 1845, according to Swords and Sabers of the Union Army, by Dr. Steven J. Schmit. It was approved by the War Department in April, 1850 for use by company grade foot officers and remained the regular model until 1872. Many were imported. This particular model shows an acid etched design on most of the blade, beginning at the stopped fuller. The grip and guard show heavy use and the upper half of the leather scabbard remains. This very collectible sword has a 30.25" blade with no manufacturer's markings. Item S1009   $575.00 SOLD
	Model 1840 NCO sword hilt. This very heavy hilt has a nice, even, light brown patina. It is just under 4 inches at its longest and 3-1/8 inches at its widest. A minor ding is present but best guess is that it is battle damage. Item S5012   $59.99 SOLD
	Rare, Sighting Hood. Protective device for the Pennsylvania-type (or Kentucky-type) musket. This unique shooting tube appears to be constructed of heavy gauge tin or similar material, and it was used to prevent glare on Pennsylvania- or Kentucky-type rifles. The use of such devices is well-documented and this is a rare piece indeed. Notice the aperture, which was designed to let in the light so that the rear sight could be utilized as designed. It is likely that such devices were used when it was raining, as well. I purchased this at the Gettysburg show, and it is the only one I've ever had in my possession. The device measures 24-1/2 inches long and is about 1-1/2 inches across. (The rifle in the picture is not included; it is for purposes of illustration only.) Item H1003   $250.00
	Civil War period musket vise from Virginia. Durable, working vise. There is a maker's mark on the side that appears to be numbers and letters. Lower photo is a close-up of it, enhanced with talc. This piece is about 4.5 inches long. Item G1008   $59.99
	Rifle Patchbox U.S. Model 1841 (Mississippi). It is complete as dug in a Civil War camp in Virginia. (Working hinge). Item G1004   $99.99 SOLD
	Twelve inch section of a Model 1860 Light Cavalry saber scabbard Hard to see in the photos, but this iron scabbard appears to have been plated. It is amazingly solid with no holes, and the drag is intact. Item S5011   $39.99 SOLD
	Unique, US Model 1835 bayonet. This bayonet was used as a tent peg. It retains part of the wood and period nail to keep it from slipping. In addition, the sharp tip has been ground down slightly on the end to prevent it from bending when it went into the ground. This is a Fredericksburg relic that has been in my collection for some time. I believe it to be a barn relic, not a dug one. The barn relic theory is supported by spots of paint that appear on it. These have been left intact, as they are now part of the provenance. The blade is about 16 inches long. As you can see by the main photo, the blade is slightly bent. It has been sprayed with clear acrylic to prevent further oxidation. Item MS9200   $129.99
	US Model 1860 Cavalry Saber. Marked 1864 Contract saber made by Emerson and Silver of Trenton, New Jersey. (Dated 1864). The initials D. F. M. are probably those of the inspector. This piece is in good condition with some surface rust. The leather wrapping appears to be original and unaltered with only a small area under the handle showing a minor tear. The scabbard is in good condition with only a small dent (about 6" from the tip). Satisfaction guaranteed. Item S6008   $950.00 Reduced to $795.00! SOLD
	Great, Confederate Bowie Knife. (It just came into my possession). The hilt is iron - all of it is iron - typical of CS Knives. The relic has been properly cleaned with electrolysis, and is solid and stable and has been covered with a protective coat of clear acrylic. You will see some erosion especially along the sharpened edges where the knife is thinnest. This is a big a knife that measures 14 ¼ inches long. The blade measures 10 ½ inches. You will see many similar examples marked as Confederate and it closely resembles examples in Stanley Phillip's books and several others. There appears to be a seam about 1/2 way down the blade which may be a repair but it is hard to see. I don't know if this one was blacksmith made or armory made. All in all, it is a nice piece. Item S1005   $895.00