3671

London Production Meyer & Mortimer Gold and Silver Accented Sword, Presented by King Prajadhipok aka

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,500.00 USD
London Production Meyer & Mortimer Gold and Silver Accented Sword, Presented by King Prajadhipok aka
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London Production Meyer & Mortimer Gold and Silver Accented Sword, Presented by King Prajadhipok aka Rama VII, Final Absolute Monarch of Siam to Brigadier General Nathan William MacChesney Consul General for Siam and Commander of the Order of the White Elephant

Measuring 37 1/4 inches overall, with a 31 1/2 inch lozenge profile blade, etched on both sides with floral and geometric patterns, with the obverse etched in panels "CONSUL GENERAL for SIAM", "CHICAGO/1924" and "MEYER & MORTIMER/36. CONDUIT St W." and the reverse etched "BRIGADIER-GENERAL NATHAN WILLIAM MAC CHESNEY, U.S.A.", "LONDON/1934" and "FROM/PRAJADHIPOK R/KING OF SIAM". The hilt is finished in gold, with raised scroll designs on much of the surface, a gold washed silver elephant on the languet, a wildcat head in the knuckle guard, gold wire grip and an elephant head pommel. With a brown leather scabbard with brass fittings, marked "N/W/M" on the rear of the throat. Born in 1878 in Chicago, Illinois, MacChesney was the descendant of veterans of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War, and himself saw military service with a number of states, including Illinois, California, and Arizona before joining the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (aka Roosevelt's Rough Riders) for the Spanish-American War, and later the American Expeditionary Force deployed to France for the First World War. Between wars he pursued a law career and tried cases including Franke vs. Murray (regarding the validity of the Selective Service Act) and United States vs. Wood (defending the issue of Executive Orders to State troops). His duties in World War One included serving as a Judge Advocate on the staff of General Pershing. After the War he returned to a mixture of civilian and government law practice, in the process becoming an internationally recognized expert on treaty and international law; in that capacity he served as a consultant for a number of foreign nations, including Siam. Prajadhipok (whose full name and title are too lengthy for reproduction here), also known as King Rama VII, was King of Siam (aka Thailand) from 1925 to 1935. During the time in question, he attempted to steer Siam towards democracy, which was interrupted by the Revolution of 1932, a relatively bloodless uprising that saw Prajadhipok voluntarily give up his status as absolute ruler in favor of a constitutional monarchy. In 1935, following a breakdown of relations between the King and the new government, which had become increasingly autocratic, the King abdicated the throne, spending the remainder of his life in England, dying of heart failure in 1941.

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Fine overall. A small amount of pitting is present on the blade, with strong etched and sharp detail in the decoration and markings. The hilt is also fine, with some mild wear along the high edges exposing the finely aged brass, and a deep silver patina on the elephant. The scabbard is good, with mild wear.