Silver gravy boat with tray, approx. 9.5 x 4 in. tall, ca. 1940s, bearing the Bremen’s middle coat of arms. The bottom of the boat and tray have been stamped with an ‘830’ silver purity stamp. The interior of the gravy boat displays traces of which looks to be a once gilt interior finish, with the exterior and the tray itself only showing some minor scratches and small tarnish spots. The gravy boat was manufactured in two separate pieces; the tray, and the bowl, which are attached by two threaded studs, protruding from the bottom of the bowl and secured to the tray by two replacement nuts. Overall, very good. This lot was received by us from the estate of Lt. Col. Bion Welker through his granddaughter. BION WELKER (1894-1981) was a U.S. Lieutenant Colonel who convinced 350 SS troops to surrender in Paris without a shot. He later accompanied British forces into the city of Bremen where he also served as military governor from 1945-1946.