December 10, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2019
Presentation version of a 1902 officer's sword by Ridabock. Bright steel scabbard with openwork, faceted mounts. Upper mount is deeply cast and chased with an impressive American eagle on the obverse. Scrolling presentation, "Presented to Captain Walter Fraser Gibson from Members of M. Co. 74" Infantry 1911." Super bright-etched and gold washed blade with good edge and point. Ridabock & Co. New York blade address at reverse ricasso. Gibson's name and rank on obverse. "US" on reverse, Hilt excellent with large eagle and wreath panel set between the bars of the guard with a round central panel engraved with Gibson's initials. Gibson was made First Lieutenant in the 74th NYNG in 1906; Captain of Company M in 1907; detailed to the Governor's military staff 1911; Major 1916. Regiment saw service on the Mexican border. Gibson was with them also when they entered active service in World War I, becoming the 55th Pioneer Infantry. He transferred to be Adj. Gen. 2nd Prov. Brig. Camp Wadsworth, SC, and commanded the Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion at Kelly Field at war's end. Returned home to Buffalo, New York, and was killed in an auto accident in 1919. CONDITION: Excellent scabbard with traces of gold wash on the scabbard eagle and red on the eye. Impressive blade with lots of gold wash remaining. Light dusting of brown specks on obverse at base of blade; more on reverse for five inches above ricasso and a few scattered along blade edge.
A very nice pre-World War I sword presented to an officer by his men. (SR)