Sam Sawyer (NC, 1865-1921), Swimming Pintail

Spot, North Carolina, before 1900, carved and painted wood, separate bill may be original.

Length 18 in.

Former collection of John Maddox.

Sam Sawyer was a lifelong Currituck market hunter who was known for his exceptional skills with guns, boats, and decoys. He reportedly killed seven ducks with one shot. Professional hunters learned to shoot into a knot of birds to increase their kill ratio. His early market hunting decoys are rare, only known pintail.

Original paint worn to bare wood in places, working repair to the neck.