This is a beautiful, 19th Century American Indian beaver back dag fighting knife attributed tot eh Plains Indian region. American Indian early dag knives are commonly referred to as “Beaver Paddle/ Beavertail” dag knives. This is due to the fact most dag knives were traded on the frontier along the Great Lakes region through the St. Lawrence Seaway westward by early fur traders. From the Great Lakes region on westward, the knives became very popular among the Northern Plains/Upper Plateau tribes, such as the Cree, Metis, Blackfoot, Nez Perce, Chippewa/Ojibiwa, and Shoshone. These were made to be killing weapons; this is why dag knives show a clean, long, double-sided blade without any serration, as they were for battle. Unlike other knives worn by Indian Warriors, the dag knife would have been worn around the Indian’s neck on his chest. This example shows a typical large, wide, tapering double edge blade having a median ridge running down both sides of the blade, a documented early weapons featured found on dag knives, spontoon tomahawks and lance blades. The blade is set with a pair of presentation like wood handle scales showing a round pommel end, figured gripping area and three rounded end bolster area being secured to the tang with ten copper / brass pin studs. The pin / studs give the knife a nice art appeal. The blade appears to be hand-forged metal and has a deep coloring with some worn areas on the blade and median ridge. The wood has a deep brown patina with shiny finish from honest age and use as well. Provenance: From the ex-collection from Southern Utah and a private collection from the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Measures overall 12.25”L with a 7.25”L blade that is 2”W.