#8. Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection, Early Garrison/Sword Belt, Bit. – 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.

Accompanying the collection was Offley’s early russet leather garrison/ saber belt, complete with hangers, and his .38 revolver pouch.  The only marking on the belt is the size, “32.”  The pouch however is clearly marked in three places; twice on the backside of the pouch over the Rock Island Arsenal stamp, and his initials “E.O.” on the under flap of thumb tab. The pouch is not dated, indicating this is a 1902 manufactured piece. It shows wear and use as does the belt.  There is no wood block for cartridges in pouch. Brass snap swivels on hangers function.

The water bit is nickeled, and is stamped “OFFLEY” on one side of center connection, and “1 CAV.” on the other side. Shows use, but wood rate very good.  When do you see these identified like this?  A nice group that would have seen service from 1902 to 1910 or so.  Offley probably used these in the Philippines.

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.