Description:

PRESENTATION SWORD TO DR. CHARLES PERLEY GRAY
CHARLES PERLEY GRAY (1875-1953) was a military surgeon during both World War I and the Mexican border conflict against Pancho Villa. He performed 88 surgeries and was at one point in 1918 gassed. During his time on the U.S.-Mexico border, he determined that one-third of the guard was ill due to poor canned food, whereas the Mexicans ate local food and were fine. He advised those troops to eat Mexican food, and when they did, they soon recovered and returned to active duty. For this, the medical department of the 7th New York Infantry presented him with this sword. The sword, with a 33 in. curved blade and 37.5 in. long overall, features a simple brass hilt, pommel, and handguard with a black Bakelite grip and the original white felt protector. The blade features an elaborate flag and oak leaf pattern with the inscription ‘PRESENTED TO 1ST LIEUTENANT CHARLES PERLEY GRAY BY HIS COMRADES IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, 7TH NEW YORK INFANTRY, N.G.U.S. AT MCALLEN, TEXAS, OCTOBER, 1916' on the front, while the back features the engraving ‘U.S.' in the center along with a marking by the swordsmith Ridabock & Co., New York, NY on the ricasso. The sword is complete with matching brass-plated scabbard with drag and engraved with the inscription ‘1st Lieutenant Charles Perley Gray'
between the loops. Some of the plating was at one point rubbed off, revealing the steel underneath, otherwise fine. Sold with a photograph of Gray in uniform with the sword, likely taken in 1941.

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December 5, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000