Pawn Stars: All Time Historic Items (6 Amazing Pieces of American History) | History
TLDRThe video script features a series of historical artifacts being brought into a pawn shop for appraisal. A 1779 first edition book, 'The Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States,' is highlighted for its role in training American soldiers during the Revolutionary War and is valued at $18,000. An 1873 Winchester rifle, purportedly from the Battle of Wounded Knee, fails to meet the seller's expectations due to a lack of direct connection to the massacre. FDR film footage from 1882 to 1945 turns out to be a common documentary, not original as hoped. A World War II fighter jacket claimed to be from a 'Hell Hawks' pilot is found to be from a different unit, leading to a reduced offer. Lastly, a letter signed by John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State is deemed less valuable due to it not being handwritten by him, offering only a small fraction of the seller's asking price. The script culminates with the introduction of a World War II German Enigma coding machine, a rare and significant piece, with the seller seeking $149,300 for it.
Takeaways
- 📚 The book 'Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States' printed in 1779 was the first drill book for the U.S. Army and played a pivotal role in training soldiers during the American Revolution.
- ❄️ In 1777, during the harsh winter at Valley Forge, General Washington's position as commander was in jeopardy, leading to the introduction of Baron von Steuben to train the American troops.
- 📖 Baron von Steuben's training methods, outlined in the drill book, transformed the American forces into a more disciplined and effective fighting force, which was crucial for their eventual success against the British.
- 💰 The first edition of the drill book from 1779 is considered extremely rare and valuable, with an initial asking price of $6,500, but later appraised for much higher due to its historical significance.
- 🔍 The importance of the book is highlighted by its influence on the structure and discipline of the military, earning it the title of the 'Blue Book' of the American Army.
- 🔫 A Winchester 1873 rifle claimed to be from the Battle of Wounded Knee is discussed, which marked a tragic and significant event in the history of the American West and the end of the Indian Wars.
- 📽 A collection of FDR film footage is presented, but its authenticity and potential value are in question, as it's later suggested to be a commercially produced biography rather than original, unseen footage.
- 🧥 A World War II fighter jacket is evaluated, initially believed to be from a famous pilot named Henry Heidi Copper of the Hell Hawks, but later found to be from a different unit with the same nickname, affecting its value.
- 💌 A letter signed by John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State in 1822 pertains to a census issue and is considered less valuable because it's not written in his hand, but rather signed by him.
- 🔐 An Enigma coding machine from World War II is appraised, with its value dependent on the authenticity and originality of its parts, as well as its historical context in the war.
Q & A
What is the significance of the book 'Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States'?
-The book, printed in 1779, was the first drill book for the United States Army. It played a crucial role in training American soldiers during the American Revolution, contributing to the transformation of citizen soldiers into a more professional force under the guidance of Baron von Steuben.
Why is the book from 1779 considered a turning point in American military history?
-The book introduced standardized training and discipline to the American troops, which was essential for their effectiveness against the professional British Army. It helped General Washington train his troops and was a key factor in the eventual success of the American Revolution.
What is the historical importance of the Battle of Wounded Knee?
-The Battle of Wounded Knee, which took place in 1890, is significant as it marked the last major conflict between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes. The event is remembered as a tragic massacre where many unarmed Native Americans, including women and children, were killed.
Why is the Winchester rifle from the Battle of Wounded Knee considered significant?
-The Winchester rifle is significant because it is potentially a direct link to a pivotal and tragic event in American history. If verified as being from the battle, it would be a tangible piece of history from the final chapter of the Indian Wars.
What is the historical context of the FDR film footage mentioned in the script?
-The FDR film footage refers to a collection of films documenting key moments from Franklin D. Roosevelt's life, spanning from 1882 to 1945. FDR was a significant figure in American history, leading the country through the Great Depression and World War II, and his film footage could be of great historical value if it contains unseen material.
Why is the World War II fighter jacket considered valuable to collectors?
-The World War II fighter jacket is valuable because it represents a piece of military history, particularly if it belonged to a well-known pilot or unit. The jacket's association with the Hellhawks, a renowned fighter group, adds to its potential value, despite the confusion regarding the specific unit it belonged to.
What is the significance of the letter signed by John Quincy Adams?
-The letter, dating back to when Adams was Secretary of State, is significant because it pertains to the correction of a census that included undocumented immigrants. While the content of the letter may not be as historically momentous as other potential topics, it still provides a glimpse into the administrative tasks of the era.
Why might the value of the Enigma coding machine vary greatly?
-The value of an Enigma coding machine can vary greatly due to several factors, including its condition, whether it has original parts, if the serial numbers match, and its provenance. Machines with matching serial numbers and original parts in good condition are typically more valuable.
What is the historical importance of the Enigma machine?
-The Enigma machine was a cryptographic device used by the Germans during World War II to encrypt and decrypt secret messages. The ability to crack the Enigma code by the Allies was a significant intelligence achievement that contributed to the Allied victory and was said to have shortened the war by as much as two years.
Why is the authenticity of historical artifacts so crucial for their value?
-Authenticity is crucial for the value of historical artifacts because it establishes their genuine connection to historical events or individuals. Items that are proven to be original and unrestored, with matching serial numbers and correct provenance, are more desirable to collectors and institutions, thus commanding higher prices.
What factors influence the final selling price of a historical artifact in a shop like this?
-The final selling price of a historical artifact is influenced by its rarity, condition, provenance, the demand among collectors, and the specific historical significance of the item. Expert appraisal and market comparison also play a significant role in determining the price.
Outlines
📚 Revolutionary War Drill Book Appraisal
The video script introduces an American history artifact: the first drill book for the United States Army, titled 'Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States,' printed in 1779. It discusses the book's significance in transforming the American troops into a modern army under Baron von Steuben's guidance, its role during the American Revolution, and the potential value of such a rare and important book. The owner seeks $6,500 for it, but after an expert evaluation, it's suggested that the book is worth $18,000 due to its rarity and historical importance.
🔍 Authenticating a Winchester from Wounded Knee
The script describes the presentation of an 1873 Winchester rifle claimed to be from the Battle of Wounded Knee. The Battle of Wounded Knee is detailed as a tragic event marking the end of the Indian Wars. The owner has documents to support the weapon's history, and there's a discussion about the gun's potential value, with the owner seeking no less than $60,000. However, the script indicates skepticism about the owner's asking price and suggests that the value would be significantly higher if it could be directly linked to the Seventh Cavalry and the massacre.
🎞️ Unveiling FDR's Film Footage
The script involves a woman attempting to sell film footage of Franklin D. Roosevelt, spanning from 1882 to 1945. The footage is considered potentially valuable if it contains unseen material. However, it's revealed that the footage is not original and is instead a commercially produced biography, reducing its uniqueness and value. The potential buyer expresses disappointment as the footage does not contain the 'holy grail' material they had hoped for.
🤔 Valuing a WWII Fighter Jacket
A man tries to sell a World War II leather jacket, believing it belonged to a member of the Hellhawks, a famous squadron that played a significant role in the war. The jacket's authenticity is in question due to discrepancies between the claimed unit and the actual markings on the jacket. After consulting an expert, it's determined that the jacket, while a genuine WWII fighter jacket, likely did not belong to the Hellhawks as claimed. The expert offers $1,500 for the jacket, but the seller, hoping for at least $4,000, decides to keep it.
💌 John Quincy Adams Letter Evaluation
The script features a letter signed by John Quincy Adams from 1822, when he was the Secretary of State. The letter discusses a census issue involving undocumented immigrants. The seller hopes for $6,000 but is advised that the content of the letter is less significant than if it were written by Adams himself. An expert confirms the signature is authentic but the body of the letter was likely written by a secretary. The value is estimated at around $1,600, but the seller decides to keep the letter, hoping for further opinions.
🔐 The Enigma Coding Machine Conundrum
A man brings in a World War II German Enigma coding machine, a device pivotal to German military communications. The machine is not in its original condition, with some replaced parts and a recreated box. An expert is consulted to evaluate the machine's authenticity and value, considering factors like matching serial numbers and rotor authenticity. The seller initially asks for $149,300, but the expert suggests a more reasonable price of $70,000 considering the condition and market variability. The negotiation ends with a significant price gap, and the seller leaves without selling the machine.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡American Revolution
💡Baron von Steuben
💡Valley Forge
💡Enigma Machine
💡Wounded Knee
💡FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
💡Pawn Shop
💡
💡Appraisal
💡Historical Artifacts
💡Negotiation
💡Authentication
Highlights
The book 'Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States' was a pivotal text in the training of the U.S. Army during the American Revolution.
The book was printed in 1779 and is considered the first drill book for the United States Army.
General George Washington's leadership was crucial, but the book helped standardize military discipline and training.
Baron von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, played a significant role in training American troops and was associated with the book.
The book's survival in its original state is remarkable, given the tumultuous times during the American Revolution.
The book's layout and instructions were detailed, including camp organization and the use of military equipment.
The book was nicknamed the 'Blue Book' and was widely issued to American soldiers.
The first edition from 1779 is especially valuable due to its historical significance and rarity.
The original binding and handmade paper of the book contribute to its authenticity and value.
The seller sought $6,500 for the book, but an expert suggested a higher value due to its rarity and condition.
The final agreed-upon price for the book was $11,000, reflecting its historical importance.
An 1873 Winchester rifle was presented as a significant artifact from the Battle of Wounded Knee.
The Battle of Wounded Knee marked a tragic and violent end to the Indian Wars.
The rifle's association with the Seventh Cavalry and the aftermath of the massacre adds to its historical value.
FDR film footage from 1882 to 1945 was discussed as a potentially valuable historical artifact.
The film was found to be a commercially produced biography rather than original, unseen footage.
A World War II fighter jacket claimed to be from a member of the Hell Hawks was appraised.
The jacket's historical significance and the correct identification of the squadron it belonged to were key to its value.
A letter signed by John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State was evaluated for its historical content and authenticity.
The Enigma coding machine from World War II was identified as a critical tool for German military communications.
The Enigma machine's value was discussed in relation to its condition, completeness, and historical significance.
Transcripts
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