A knife in early America was a weapon, tool, eating and cooking utensil all in one.  With his knife the Native American or the frontiersman could put up a dwelling, mend clothing and equipment, clean fish, build traps, scrape hides, take scalps.  It never left his person, for this simple instrument was crucial in the life and death struggle with man, beast, and the elements.  By the mid 1800’s the proliferation of trade goods (cloth, beads, blades, mirrors, brass tacks, sewing needles) changed forever what was considered necessary and desirable by Native peoples.  Conflict and peaceful coexistence ebbed and flowed.  The exchange of ideas and designs became commonplace.   This knife joins a 7” blade to a unique elk antler tip.  Rawhide and sinew cover part of the handle.  The sheath is made from a heavy piece of commercial (white man’s) leather (as opposed to native tanned hide) which was recognized for its toughness and durability.  Possible sources back then were luggage, saddles, soldiers’ boot tops.  Some sheaths were exclusively constructed and decorated with brass tacks. This example combines rawhide stitching with brass tacks and curiously enough, harness rivets (seen in many museum pieces).  Three brass buttons adorn the sheath top along with incised curvilinear lines on the body.  The cutout slot receives a belt or sash that keeps the sheath snugged up against the wearer.

Knife 14 ½”       Sheath 11 ¾”        Together 15 ¾”        

Was $1,075      Not available SOLD