June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/13/2019
Lot consists of: A) Small beaded American flag souvenir fob made by a Lakota woman for sale to soldiers. B) Studio marked cabinet photo by D.F. Barry of Capt Benteen in his cavalry dress uniform with shoulder knots. C) Gold linked watch chain with carved ebony fob featuring a bust of a Roman leader or Caesar. D) Bone handled "campaign" folding knife. These were the personal effects of Gen. Frederick W. Benteen given by his son Lt. Col. Fred Benteen to Custer historian Col. W. A. Graham. Benteen's personal property was burned in a home fire after his campaigns. Fortunately, for the sake of history, and that of Little Bighorn historians, he had given W. W. Cooke's note to a friend and former officer, Lt. Robert N. Price (1847-1889) whose descendents sold it to a group that bought it for the museum at West Point. According to the included note of provenance written by collector Hugh Schick, Freddie said that his father had bought the beaded fob before 1872. The other two pieces are the gold watch chain with its carved black fob which Benteen may have carried during his western campaigns, and a folding knife dating from about 1890 most likely purchased by Benteen in Atlanta. These are the only known items owned by Benteen in private hands. Lot includes associated paperwork and notes from previous owners. CONDITION: Very good overall. PROVENANCE: Gen. Fred Benteen, 7th Cavalry, to his son Col. Freddie Benteen to Col Graham to historian Hugh Schick. Late Glen Swanson Custer collection.
Condition: (Very Good).