Weapons and militaria 'dating as far back as the Crusades' auction online

An extraordinary arsenal of vintage weapons, militaria and rare antiquities belonging to the late James Larry Bragg - a direct descendant of Civil War General Braxton Bragg - will be sold Saturday, October 8, by Stevens Auction Company of Aberdeen, Mississippi, with online bidding.

"The highlight of this auction will be the weaponry in the Bragg collection, which consists of hundreds of historical armaments from the 11th and 12th centuries, plus weapons from modern conflicts like World Wars I and II," said Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company.

"This is a rare opportunity to see and then bid on weapons dating as far back as the Crusades."

One of the quieter aspects of the sale will be Mr. Bragg's extensive library of hundreds of books. Included are early volumes of poetry, books on philosophy, war journals and firearms references. Mr. Bragg had many passions in his long and fruitful life.

These included artistry, jewelry design, music (he once played bass for Charlie Rich) and rebuilding E-type Jaguar cars.

But first and foremost, he was an avid collector of historical military weapons, armor and paraphernalia. His collection included a significant number of Indo-Persian edged weapons and armor he acquired from Fagan Arms, Inc. of Michigan.

Fagan purchased them from Sir Frank H. Bowden (1909-2002), the famous British arms collector and heir to the Raleigh Bicycles fortune.

Shields and body armor will feature a Dahl - the Indian shield with a spike in the center and brass, decorated with applied Katar, 15 ½ inches in diameter - and a French curass body armor with French dragon helmet.


French curass body armor with French dragon helmet


There will also be a rare and unusual three-barrel hand cannon and a highly collectible mid-19th century vampire killing kit in a wood case, with all accessories.

Axes will include a battle axe from central India with a carved wooden shaft, 30 inches long with a six-inch blade; and a large Persian double-headed battle axe with extraordinary decorations.

Two rifles worth noting are an Arab plain stock flint lock rifle with a migulet dog lock; and a German Wheelock rifle. Also sold will be a 19th century Imperial Russian helmet.

Swords and knives will be offered in abundance, and many are rare, historical one-of-a-kinds.

Expected top lots will include a Katar (the oldest of Indian knives), 18 inches long, with all-metal construction; a Scottish basket hilted broadsword, 46 inches overall; and an Indian Talwar (an unusual type straight blade with serrated edge) measuring 42 inches in overall length.

James Larry Bragg, Sr., was born in Covington, Tenn., on March 3, 1941. He was a self-employed porcelain dental lab technician in the Memphis area for 45 years.

He enjoyed attending gun, coin and Civil War shows with friends, and frequented antique shops whenever he could. He passed away in February - but now other collectors can enjoy the fruits of his lifelong passion.


 

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