AUGUSTIN BUSTINDUI SPANISH MIQUELET BLUNDERBUSS
Miquelet lock blunderbuss made by Augustin Bustindui of Valencia, Spain. Circa 1760. Three fleur-de-lis proofs inlaid in gold in barrel. Spanish cross, Bustindui armorer mark and rampant lion proof inlaid in gold in barrel. Gold Bustindui armorer mark in lockplate. Engraved sideplate. Carved walnut stock. 38.5" total length. Original WWII era wooden bring-back shipping crate, measuring 41.5"x5"x 7.5". One original US War Dept. bring-back certificate, dated June 22, 1945, named to Col. Walter D. Buie for "blunderbuss (old)."

Provenance:

Search: “Buie” within this auction catalog to filter & view all of the Col. Walter Buie lots included in this auction.

WWII War Trophy Collection & Military Archive of Col. Walter Buie

Only recently discovered, the extensive WWII War Trophy Firearm & Militaria Collection of Colonel Walter Buie has been stored away within the original boxes and trunks in which the items were shipped back by Buie from his WWII service in both the European and Pacific Theaters.

The Buie collection is comprised of hundreds of pieces, acquired by Buie while stationed in Germany and Japan. The war trophies were then packed into trunks and wooden crates for shipment back to the States. When found, the items were still contained within the original trunks and crates. Opening each was an exciting discovery, akin to opening a time capsule where one did now know what historical artifacts await.

Centurion Auctions, auctioneers & appraisers specializing in wartime collectibles and firearms, have been commissioned to bring the Buie collection to market.

The firearms are included in the August 2020 Firearm Auction and consist of approximately 50 pieces, many of which are quite scarce.

The military collectibles are included in the September 2020 Wartime Collectible Auction and include hundreds of items. Also included in the militaria session are personal items related to Buie and his military career.

Colonel Walter Daniel Buie (1900-1986) was born in Nashville, Georgia, and graduated from the United States Military Academy West Point in 1920. He served in various military positions in the United States and abroad for the next 24 years, and in 1941 was assigned as an instructor at Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1942 he was promoted to colonel. He became chief of staff for the 97th Infantry Division at Fort Leavenworth in 1943, and soon after was reassigned as chief of staff to the newly-activated XXIII Corps at Camp Bowie, Texas. On September 5, 1944, Buie was named regiment commanding officer of the 272d Infantry Regiment (“Battle Axe Regiment”) of the 69th Infantry Division. Shortly after, the 272d Infantry was sent overseas, first to England and then to France, Belgium and Germany. In March 1945, the 272d Infantry occupied the front line position of the Siegfried Line, pushing back the German Army, before advancing to the Rhine River. The 272d continued its path across Germany, capturing Fortress Ehrenbreitstein and clearing over 35 towns along the way, including Leipzig. The 272d Infantry eventually made contact with the Russian Army in Berlin in late April, after the Russian Army had already taken the city. The war in Europe ended with V-E Day a few days later. Colonel Buie was immediately transferred to the Pacific Theater, where he served as chief of staff for the 25th Infantry Division and was present for V-J Day. After the war ended, Buie stayed in occupied Japan at the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur’s Far Eastern Command. He returned home to the United States and retired from the military in 1954. He held various government positions after retirement, including with the Federal Civil Defense Administration and the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Buie died in 1986.

Barrel Length: 23"

Very good. Light wear and minor oxidation. Missing hammer screw. Very good bore. Losses and repairs to forestock.