#6. Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection; Photos & Spurs. 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.

This grouping of photos shows Sergeant Offley and Troop “G” mounted on gray horses. It was common practice for cavalry regiments to consolidate the types of horses into on troop, as a way to know at a glance where that troop was on the field of battle, and that it looked very military for parades, etc. The smaller cabinet photo is artfully identified on the reverse, dated June of 1900.  It was “Taken Near Sturgis on Bear Butte Creek, S.D.”  The image is a bit little, but I have turned the contrast up a few notches for a better look. Offley poses for the picture on a bluff overlooking Fort Meade, with many of the post building in view below. He is simply dress in fatigue uniform.  Size is 4×6 inches approx.

The other larger cabinet shows “G” troop in mounted exercise in front of the stables. It is identified on the reverse, “Troop “G” 1st US Cavalry, Ft. Meade, S.D. June 1900.” The men appear to be practicing hand signaling.  The officer in the blue undress is probably the commanding officer, or someone other than the troop commander who appears to be mounted behind him.  The imposing landmark in the distance may be Bear Butte.  This image is a bit little as well; a corner missing, and a few marks.  Size is 6 1/2 x8 1/2 inches.

Included in this lot are a pair of spurs that are part of the collection.  They are made of a brassy-bronze collar, and marked, “Gun Metal,” and an additional star marking with monogram “AB” (or BA).  They are in fine condition, lacking the leather straps.

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.