Lot 1296

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Description:

WORLD WAR I BRITISH RELIC FROM THE BATTLE OF MONS
A large lumber-locking nut crafted by the Kirkstall Forge of Leeds, Great Britain, salvaged from a destroyed 60-pounder R.H.A. gun. Measures 4 in. diameter x 3 in. tall, knurling within, and numerous stamps around the nut stating provenance and details, in part: ‘….From the Battle of Mons Belgium August 1914…Knocked out 23 August 1914, St. Chislain Canal, Mons 120 Light Battery R.F.A. VIII Howitzer Bde. Made by ex-gunner Walter Birchmore'. At bottom it reads: ‘'Old Contemptibles' Association 5th August 22 November 1914'. The ‘Old Contemptibles' was the Royal Expeditionary Force with both cavalry and infantry divisions, and it served in Flanders from August-November 1914. Its first battle was at Mons on August 23, 1914, during which the British initiated a great retreat in the effort to maintain an unbroken line with Allied forces being pushed back by superior German numbers. This retreat halted at the Marne River, and the counter-attack culminated in the First Battle of Ypres, during which the ‘Old Contemptibles' small force stopped a much larger German advance against Channel Ports. The name 'Old Contemptibles' arose from an Order of the Day issued by the Kaiser, which mentioned 'Sir John French's contemptible little army'. Fine condition.

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November 30, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, 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