This is a stunning beaded hide rifle scabbard dating to circa 1870-1880’s from the Northern Plateau, likely the Crow or Nez Perce, from a private Colorado collection. The piece exhibits Indian tanned hide construction with sinew sewn classic Northern Plateau geometric beadwork done in all 1800’s glass trade seed cen beads. The beadwork is done across both sides with a large section at the sheath opening and its end showing a light padre blue background with geometric hourglass and tab pattern in cobalt, Cheyenne pink, greasy pea green and greasy yellow. The scabbard shows Indian tanned hide hand cut long, frilly fringes framing the outside end of the scabbard continuing down the bottom edge of the front of the sheath and along the opening. There is a small section of antique old red stroud wool trade clothe framing the front of the opening beadwork. Provenance: From a large, fine private collection of Native American beadwork in Colorado. Overall the piece shows supple soft hides with little bead loss and good condition, well preserved, displays beautifully. Just the body of the sheath without the fringes is 42-inches long by 6-inches wide, with the fringes the piece is approx. 61-inches long by 22-inches wide / tall. For reference see the following which are also from the Northern Plateau circa 1870-1880, many of which have the “hourglass” (two triangles with central tab) design: Crow 1870’s Rifle Scabbard ex. Robert Jerich and J.D. Nolan sold by Lusher in August 2025 for $25,000; Crow Beaded Scabbard fourth quarter 19th century sold by Cowans in 2011 for $20,400; Apsaalooke Crow Scabbard from C.F. Gunther, Arnold Marcus Chernoff sold by Cowan’s in 2019 for $21,120; and the Crow Beaded Scabbard sold by North American Auction Co. in 2024 for $12,700.