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Lot 5170
An O.S.S. grouping of two knives and a set of wings belonging to George H. White -Select US Arms Type-
8 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoUS$3,000 - US$5,000
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An O.S.S. grouping of two knives and a set of wings belonging to George H. White
Comprising: 1) An unmarked Fairburn variant "pancake flapper" stiletto made for the O.S.S.(Office of Strategic Services) and copied after the British Fairburn-Sykes commando stiletto. Blued 6 1/2 inch tapered diamond section blade; blued small steel guard with cast brass checkered grip painted black; 12 1/2 inches overall in sheath. Military green painted "pancake flapper" sheet-metal sheath with slots four slots for belt loops, black rubber retaining ring for grip and brown leather sheath with visible stitching in center. 2) An unmarked type II O.S.S. "Smatchet", made by either Ulster Knife Conmpany or W.R. Case & Sons; 16 inches overall, 17 inches in sheath. Leaf-shaped 10 11/16 inch blade with one side completely sharpened, the other with 6 inch sharpened edge.Oval steel guard and two-piece wood handles with pewter birds-head-shaped pommel with hole for lanyard. Black sheath composed of leather covered plywood, leather fastening strap with button on one side and back with angled leather belt-loop. 3) A pair set of WWII Chinese commando pilot's wings, issued to O.S.S. operators in the CBI Theater. Cast gilt brass wings measuring 3 1/2 inches wide by 15/16 inch in height. Front with relief parachute in center, surrounded by wings on each side. Back of wings flat with rectangle of Chinese characters imprinted into center with numbers 0065 crudely stamped below; horizontal steel safety-style pin held by two brass loops. Included with the lot is a signed letter of provenance from the consignor stating that these items belonged to George Hunter White were given to his father, Sergio Borquez, who worked for Mr. White during his employment as director of the Bureau of Narcotics in San Francisco, Ca. There is also a copy of an article about George H. White outlining his work for the government while working for the O.S.S. and the Bureau of Narcotics, as well as articles about the smatchet, the stiletto, and the wings from OSS Weapons, Second Edition by Dr. John W. Brunner, Phd.
Condition: 1) Excellent. Blade retains 98% plus original blue finish with some areas turning slightly brown; blued steel guard with some esge wear and light marks from use. Grip with paint worn off checkering and large areas of paint worn off pommel, dark patina on brass showing through. Leather sheath very good with small area of loss on one side of top and a few light marks from use, metal retains nearly all of partially crazed paint with area around pommel missing some paint. 2) Very Good. Blade has been sharpened on both edges and shows signs of heavy use, with some pitting below guard; overall brown spotted patina with some marks from use and some spots of surface rust; guard slightly bent on one side; otherwise grey patina with some spots of surface rust. Grip varnished; some indentations and marks from use; pommel with grey patina and having several dents from use. Sheath with scattered scratches, edge wear, and some marks from use, but still retains most of black color. 3) Excellent. Some gilt worn off on relief areas, leaving a dark brown patina; back with scattered areas of missing gilt and dark patina; markings excellent.
Condition: 1) Excellent. Blade retains 98% plus original blue finish with some areas turning slightly brown; blued steel guard with some esge wear and light marks from use. Grip with paint worn off checkering and large areas of paint worn off pommel, dark patina on brass showing through. Leather sheath very good with small area of loss on one side of top and a few light marks from use, metal retains nearly all of partially crazed paint with area around pommel missing some paint. 2) Very Good. Blade has been sharpened on both edges and shows signs of heavy use, with some pitting below guard; overall brown spotted patina with some marks from use and some spots of surface rust; guard slightly bent on one side; otherwise grey patina with some spots of surface rust. Grip varnished; some indentations and marks from use; pommel with grey patina and having several dents from use. Sheath with scattered scratches, edge wear, and some marks from use, but still retains most of black color. 3) Excellent. Some gilt worn off on relief areas, leaving a dark brown patina; back with scattered areas of missing gilt and dark patina; markings excellent.
Footnotes
Note: According to once confidential government documents, now released under the Freedom of Information Act, George H. White was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1945 and was recruited by the O.S.S. by Director William J. Donovan. He was first in The Treasury Department, the was recruited to the Bureau of Narcotics in 1942. As an OSS operative he served in the CBI theater and in other locations during the war. After the war he was recruited to the Bureau of Narcotics and had much involvement in project MK-ULTRA, which tested the effects of LSD and other drugs as a psychological weapon. There are numerous websites and several books which offer details of his career. Mr White was a colorful operative who had served with the Border Patrol and the Bureau of Narcotics in New York and had acquired quite a reputation before being recruited by General Donovan. A carefully worded letter from William Donovan to The Secretary of Treasury clearly intimates the type of clandestine operations Mr. White was recruited for. "In the development of certain activities carried out by this office it is essential that we have the services of an individual who possesses wide experience and unusual talent in certain lines of investigative work, and it has been found that Mr. George H. White, narcotic agent, office of the District Supervisor, Bureau of Narcotics, New York, New York, possesses the necessary qualifications."