LOT Little John's Auction Service  /  OUR BIG FALL SALE  / 

187

Recently discovered authentic McElroy Clip-Point Lasso Bowie knife by W.J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Recently discovered authentic McElroy Clip-Point Lasso Bowie knife by W.J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia
All items are as is, no warranty or claims and All SALES ARE FINAL. Please examine prior to bidding as it is the bidder's responsibilty to establish condition, age, genuineness, value or any other determinative factors.
Recently discovered authentic McElroy Clip-Point Lasso Bowie knife by W.J. McElroy of Macon, Georgia, overall length approx. 17” with a blade length of approx. 12” and integral cast grip and crossguard with lanyard loop and presentation plaque affixed to left side of grip with three brass pins inscribed “MESSENGER OF 7TH CAVALRY TROOP – G – U.S.A. PRESENTED BY GENERAL G.A. CUSTER FORT DODGE KANSAS. JUNE 1875”. The knife is very heavy and thick with the blade showing a dark patina, the grip and cross guard show casting imperfections under a beautiful dark patina; there is no accompanying scabbard. This knife descended in the family of the late Anthony Scala, a long-time Los Angeles area collector who obtained the knife circa 1977-78, from a fellow collector, Art Greg, who purchased the knife originally from Norm Hobson’s Military Antiques of Alameda, California circa 1967. Hand-written note accompanying the piece indicate Mr. Scala attempted to obtain additional information from Mr. Hobson’s widow on the history of the knife but there are no correspondence back from her and unfortunately, Mr. Scala himself passed away shortly after obtaining the knife. Also included with this lot is a postcard dated June 19, 1978 to Mr. Scala from the late Custer historian Ernest Lisle Reedstrom indicating his plan to speak to the Little Big Horn Associates “next Month and I will show your bowie to a number of scholars. I do not have any answers now. Let’s wait & see. Best; (Reedstrom’s signature)”. Given the undisturbed patina, style of inscription and fact that a “huckster” would likely not use an expensive and rare Confederate Bowie knife to pass a fake, or create an inscription that did not cite a specific, well-known date or historical Custer-related event, it is our opinion that this piece is authentic. Also several well-known Bowie knife experts concur with its originality. Interestingly enough, the time cited in the presentation was a year before the Battle of the Little Big Horn. It too was the point at which the Black Hills Expedition had Custer’s attention and brought him back into the public’s eye concerning the media’s report of “Gold in the Hills”. It likewise was a critical period for him politically as he battled with Washington bureaucrats including President Grant’s brother concerning post tradership scandals that almost cost Custer his position with the 7th Cavalry. It is interesting to speculate that the knife itself may have been a souvenir Custer secured for his own collection during his well-documented heroic Civil War service. Further research may ultimately result in the identification of the messenger who received this impressive award from one of the best-known and still to this day, one of the most controversial Generals in U.S. history. Est.: $25,000-$50,000.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot