Pair of Kaiser Wilhelm II military helmets bring $30,250 at Mohawk Arms, June 1-2 A pair of helmets once owned and worn by Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941) sold for a combined $30,250 at a militaria auction held June 1-2 by Mohawk Arms, Inc., based in Bouckville, N.Y.
with a basswood body and a painted portrait of George Washington on a 9 ¼ inch by 11 ¾ inch painted blue panel, probably carried by the Washington County (N.Y.) militia, brought $1,763; and a framed piece of a blue silk flag flown at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 by the First Cavalry (N.Y.) coasted to $1,028.
A Civil War grouping attic find consisting of a U.S. Army regulation canvas knapsack, a leather belt with an oval brass “US” belt plate, a black powder tin, a small tobacco tin, a ceramic inkwell and more changed hands for $1,028; and an excavated Confederate fighting knife (or cutlass) with a 19 ¾ inch single-edge, slightly curved blade, mounted in a shadowbox, hit $852.
An actual flat copper button from George Washington’s presidential inauguration, with the relief letters “GW” and reading “Long Live the President,” showing aged patina expected for a button of its age, hammered for $1,645; and a lot of tableware taken from one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces, with all pieces engraved with the Iraqi eagle, shield and script, rose to $1,469.
Rounding out a short list of the auction’s top lots: an Imperial German Navy presentation dagger, made around 1900 and engraved with the initials of the serviceman it was presented to (“L. v. F”) and the ship he was assigned to (“S.M.S. Gneisenau”) breezed to $2,645; and a World War I Marine grouping comprising two Silver Stars, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, a French Croix de Guerre, a New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and more made $2,588.
Mohawk Arms, Inc.’s next auction has been tentatively scheduled for the third weekend in November. An outstanding collection of military helmets and headgear may be offered, and already consigned are medals, badges, Samurai swords (including two surrender swords, one from a General and one from an Admiral) and hundreds of other items related to militaria.
Mohawk Arms, Inc., is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, a collection or an entire estate, you may call them at (315) 893-7888; or, you can e-mail them at Mohawk@MilitaryRelics.com. To learn more about Mohawk Arms, Inc., and the November auction, log on to www.MilitaryRelics.com. Updates are posted frequently.
