#10. Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection; Undress Uniform & TR Commission SOLD

Description

Having had an incredible amount of material belonging to career cavalry officer, Colonel Edward M. Offley, we tried to keep the collection intact for years now, but sadly I must break up the collection in the attempt to move it along. There will be single and small lots, as well as larger groups with combinations of uniforms, insignia, photo and or paper, etc.  All lots offered will be titled, “Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection.

Starting chronologically, we begin with Edward Offley’s 2nd Lieutenant’s commission signed by President Theodore Roosevelt on 26, December, 1901. This is the most common type, printed on vellum.  It is signed by Secretary of War, Elihu Root, and Adjutant General H.C. Corbin.  The document is framed with measurements of 19×24 inches and in fine condition.  By the time this latest version of his commission was received by him (the first was signed by President McKinley in March of 1901.  McKinley was assassinated in September, and TR as vice president, had only been in office three months;  see lot #7), Offley was still serving with the 12th Cavalry at Fort Clark, Texas.

The 1895 pattern undress coat was purchased by Offley in 1906 from John G. Haas, in August of that year. He had purchased the coat as a 2nd Lieutenant, not having been promoted until July 24, 1907. Insignia on the coat is all original, with both “US” and 1st Cavalry insignia of the pin-back variety.  The crossed sabers are made by B. Pasquale Co. San Francisco.  The coat show light wear, and in fine condition.  The trousers are made by the same company, and dated 1912 (he was still a 2nd Lt. at the time). I believe these are a patter that came out in 1896, with legs made to be bloused within the boot. These are in fine condition as will. The mohair trim has wonderful color, as many uniforms made in this period have this mohair fading to a greenish color with age. Fabulous example of a cavalry officer’s undress uniform in the early 20th Century.

Colonel Edward Murray Offley’s career began in 1899 to his retirement in at Fort Myer, Va in October, 1937 after 38 years of active service, most of that being in the cavalry.  He served in several regiment through the years, at many army posts in the southwest, west, Panama, etc.; he saw service in the Philippines with the 1st Cavalry.  During WWI, he was given the assignment to raise, train and command the 308th Machine Gun Battalion, 78th Division in the AEF, where he received the Purple Heart, being wounded at Boise De Loge on 14, Oct., 1918, while serving with the British 2nd Army in the Hazebrouck Sector on the Western Front.  His last assignment was with 2nd Cavalry at Fort Myer, Va.