Description
19th Century Carved Souvenirs- 1836 Pistol & Footwear. This two pieces of wood have no provenance as to the carver, and were in a mixed lot of misc tools, etc. The cinnabar carved boot, came from a grouping belonging to Charles J. Stevens, a 9th U.S. Cavalry officer.
- The M1836/42 pistol is a very nice likeness, with good detail work, To bad the carver didn’t finish it. It is approximately 7.5 inches long.
- The bootee/ shoe, is a bit more crude, but still nicely done with detail showing the pegs on the soles. The wood was darkened with either a stain or paint.
- The cinnabar has the appearance of an Army boot of the 1874 ( and on) period, The hole was for carrying on a sweetheart necklace or for a watch fob. I kept this piece from Major Stevens lot because I like it. Major Charles J. Stevens, a career cavalry officer who began his service in the army upon graduation at the USMA Class of 1882. Stevens spent most of his years in the cavalry with the 9th, one of the two black cavalry regiments then in the army. During his year in the frontier, he was stationed at places like Fort Apache, Fort Robinson, and many more. He went up San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War as a captain in the 9th, and shortly after was in the 2nd Cavalry, and with his promotion to major in 1907, Stevens commanded that post to December of 1908. He retired at his own request after 30 years of service on April 3, 1909.
Although each piece has no true significance to the other, they are going as a set.
