May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #3422:
1930S US MARINE CORPS MAMELUKE SWORD NAMED TO BRIGADIER GENERAL SAMUEL ROBERT SHAW.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/14/2026
A very nice example of a pre-WWII Marine officer's sword named to Samuel Robert Shaw. Shaw came into the Corps in 1928 and served two years as an enlistedman. He was accepted to the US Naval Academy in 1930. He had pre-war assignments in China, with the Marine Detachment aboard USS Tuscaloosa, with 1stBn 5th Marines, and also was on the Marine Corps Rifle Team at Camp Perry. Notably, Shaw commanded Company "A", Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, T. H. during the Dec 7th attack, and participated in the anti-aircraft defense that day. He departed for the Pacific area and joined Commanding officer, 6th Marine Division under Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. at Guadalcanal. He later served as the commanding officer of the 6th Pioneer Battalion on Okinawa. Shaw distinguished himself in this capacity and received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his work. After the war, following the disbandment of 6th Marine Division at the end of March 1946, Shaw served with 3rd Marine Brigade until September of that year. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for his service with 6th Marine Division and also received Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat (4th Class) by the Government of Republic of China. He was promoted to the rank of colonel in August 1949 and his post-war duties included Shore Party Officer in the Engineer Section, Division of Plans and Policies, Chief of the Joint Action Panel in the Marine Corps, Division of Plans and Policies Joint Amphibious Board at Little Creek Naval Base, Advanced Research Group, Marine Corps Educational Center, Quantico. In June 1954 he joined the 1st Marine Division under Major General Robert E. Hogaboom as assistant chief of staff for logistics. Shaw participated in the guarding of the Korean Demilitarized Zone until July 1955 and then returned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington for duty as director, Policy Analysis Branch. In June 1957, he was named deputy chief of staff, research and development, and promoted to the rank of brigadier general in November of that year. Shaw was transferred to Quantico in July 1958 and was appointed director of the Marine Corps Development Center. Shaw assumed duty as commanding general, Troop Training Unit, Pacific Fleet and was responsible for amphibious training of several marine and navy units within Pacific Fleet. He retired from the Marine Corps service on March 1, 1962, after 34 years of active service. He was recalled to active duty in September 1962 and served as the senior military aide and advisor to President John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Shaw served with Senate Armed Service Committee and travelled to Vietnam 13 times during the War. He was appointed as the chief legislative liaison official for the Selective Service System in 1972 and served in this position until his second retirement in 1977. Sword is correct to regulations and has acid etched designs, a nickeled scabbard, gold gilded furniture, and nicely toned ivory grips. CONDITION: Very good. Scabbard shows very light scratches to the nickel, and sword and grips are tight to tang.
CORRECTION: Typo amended.
Item Dimensions: L: 39"
Paperwork
Folder of Research