MAJOR GEN. CALEB VANCE HAYNES PRESENTATION GREEK PISTOL AND DAGGER

Description:

Presentation Greek flintlock pistol, a "souliote" made ca. circa 1820. Steel 9 in. barrel and silver repousse grip and body, with some niello elements. Hammer unadorned, action not functioning. Oxidized. Sold with Cretan dagger with silver scabbard, 14 in. long overall, engraved blade from Chania with bone grip also bearing silver trim. Both pieces are in a (battered) fitted case with brass plaque engraved: "TO MAJOR GENERAL CALEB V. HAYNES FROM AIR MARSHALL EMM. P. KELAIDES AS A TOKEN OF FRIENDSHIP", ca. 1950's. Dimensions of case 20 x 9 x 3 in., covered in green felt, faded and stained. CALEB VANCE HAYNES (1895-1966) was a U.S. Air Force major general and one of the most important and talented military aviators and commanders of World War II. Haynes organized the Assam-Burma-China Ferry Command and evacuated Burma with the Chinese and RAF. He then went to China to organize and command the Bomber Command of the China Air Task Force under Gen. Claire Chennault. He later returned to India to organize the India Air Task Force of the 10th Air Force.