2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Lawton won many laurels for Indian campaigns he commanded and is likely most noted for being the man who CAPTURED GERONIMO in the Apache campaign. He went on to command the U.S. forces that captured Santiago in Cuba in 1898 and later led American forces in the Philippines, where he was killed in action, 1899. Lengthy 10 page penned letter, entirely in his hand, from "Camp" (probably in Colorado) June 25, 1881 to Albee, with his usual bold signature "Lawton." Opens about gun that Albee was developing for Winchester (the Hotchkiss carbine): "…sorry you could not come up here…on account of the gun…sure you would have been able to do good work. As to the gun, there is no doubt that the stock is defective and should be strengthened. All our reports will show that. I have 17 broken stocks out of 69 guns…all broken in about the same place. Company D has already 9 and I'm sure all breakages are not from carelessness as some were in the hands of my best NCO's. I like the arms and the Winchester Arms Company [and] have no greater desire than to have them succeed. With the exception of the stock no part of the arms have ever become broken or failed in any [way]… and nothing has… at any time been the least out of order. The shooting qualities are superior…" and more on improving the gun… with suggestions: "…Now Albee, I have an idea I can strengthen the stock so that it will not break in any kind of usage. I wish you to buy me a carbine and have the following changes and additions made to it by your company…" with details and suggestion that if the company objects it should be done privately and he will pay for it personally; goes into the specifics how to accomplish, including a diagram of how tang should be lengthened to strengthen the wrist; adds two other diagrams and great detail displaying his knowledge of firearms as well as mechanics of mfr. ending with: "…if the stock splits or breaks then I will eat it." Light aging; exc. +.
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