A lousy day that turned out brilliant
May 21, 2015 22:25:52 GMT
Post by Dave Kelly on May 21, 2015 22:25:52 GMT
Time for a fairy tale: Last week I responded to an ebay auction for a French M1854 Carabinier Enlisted Pallasch. The massive heavy cav hand lance had an opening bid of 950.00 and no takers. The hilt shows some wear but the brass was still all gilded and the grip wired and tight with just some scuffing. All the makers marks on the hilt, blade and scabbard match. The steel elements were peppered with corrosive stain but little noticeable pocking. A solid VG sword. I sent a message and made a counter offer in line with the VG condition ( in my view). I was very fortunate that the owner ( Mark Fletcher) was receptive and said if no one took the auction he would take my offer.
I introduced myself to Mark by sending him my SBG Collectors Thread URL. We made arrangements to meet at my place Thursday morning as I was off. Wensday night late, I get a text msg from my relief saying he had been called up for work by another security agency and he was no longer available to man my post. ( Asked when he had started with them. Tells me MONDAY night. I didn't say what I was thinking...) So I sent Mark a very apologetic and disappointed message, having to cancel ours plans. Great guy: says too bad, he wanted to see the spread, but he was prepared to meet me at my job site and wrap up the exchange.
Got to the sight 11:30 sharpe. We talked swords for a while and methods of trading. He annecdotally was telling me he had an antiques dealer friend in Philadelphia who hadn't dealt in edged weapons, but was having a change of heart and wanted Mark to help him sell an acquisition. Had I ever heard of the US Cavalry M1911? I smiled and said, oh hell yes. The holy grail of US Cav swords; only 75 or so thought to be in existence and auction bidding starts at 10K. ( This was the sword the Ordnance Department was about to produce when Lt George Patton went to the Army Chief of Staff, Gen Leonard Wood and submarined their prototype in favor of his own.)
At some point in the conversation he said something like he needed to take pictures of the sword. I said, "Are you telling me he SENT you the M1911 to market"? He said, "Yeah, would you like to see it? It's IN THE CAR. ( This is where I did my Ned Flanders screetching like a girl immitation.)
Brought out a gun case and let me open it. There it was. Was in need of a good cleaning and the guard had been somewhat crushed laterally. Smaller than I had imagined. A little buzz saw of a sabre. Mild curve and a spear point instead of the french hatchet. Guard was small and tight in the manner of a cutter, not a thruster.
I was disappointed I didn't get to let Mark see my collection. Even moreso since my camera and measuring instruments were out of reach to get the vitals on the 1911.
Rained hard all day. Didn't matter. Met another great collector community member and got close and personal with some amazing toys.
No pics of that 1911, but have a few from an ebay auction several years past:
Mark is lurking about. Signed in over the weekend
Cheers
I introduced myself to Mark by sending him my SBG Collectors Thread URL. We made arrangements to meet at my place Thursday morning as I was off. Wensday night late, I get a text msg from my relief saying he had been called up for work by another security agency and he was no longer available to man my post. ( Asked when he had started with them. Tells me MONDAY night. I didn't say what I was thinking...) So I sent Mark a very apologetic and disappointed message, having to cancel ours plans. Great guy: says too bad, he wanted to see the spread, but he was prepared to meet me at my job site and wrap up the exchange.
Got to the sight 11:30 sharpe. We talked swords for a while and methods of trading. He annecdotally was telling me he had an antiques dealer friend in Philadelphia who hadn't dealt in edged weapons, but was having a change of heart and wanted Mark to help him sell an acquisition. Had I ever heard of the US Cavalry M1911? I smiled and said, oh hell yes. The holy grail of US Cav swords; only 75 or so thought to be in existence and auction bidding starts at 10K. ( This was the sword the Ordnance Department was about to produce when Lt George Patton went to the Army Chief of Staff, Gen Leonard Wood and submarined their prototype in favor of his own.)
At some point in the conversation he said something like he needed to take pictures of the sword. I said, "Are you telling me he SENT you the M1911 to market"? He said, "Yeah, would you like to see it? It's IN THE CAR. ( This is where I did my Ned Flanders screetching like a girl immitation.)
Brought out a gun case and let me open it. There it was. Was in need of a good cleaning and the guard had been somewhat crushed laterally. Smaller than I had imagined. A little buzz saw of a sabre. Mild curve and a spear point instead of the french hatchet. Guard was small and tight in the manner of a cutter, not a thruster.
I was disappointed I didn't get to let Mark see my collection. Even moreso since my camera and measuring instruments were out of reach to get the vitals on the 1911.
Rained hard all day. Didn't matter. Met another great collector community member and got close and personal with some amazing toys.
No pics of that 1911, but have a few from an ebay auction several years past:
Mark is lurking about. Signed in over the weekend
Cheers