The lot features a historic and important American Indian Chief’s Presentation Grade Dag Knife attributed to legendary Hunkpapa Sioux leader, Sitting Bull from the ex-collection of the Dr. Charles Eastman (Sioux), Yankton Indian College, Father Ward, Professor Albert Tallman Free and Jim Aplan (as well as published in a 1936 book). The piece is an original 19th-Century Jukes Coulson marked dag knife in presentation chief’s grade showing a carved tiger stripe hardwood handling with silver overlays including the five silver rivets, etched engraved silver heart on one side and marque plaque / placard on the other as well as a ring of silver at the pommel end with pierced hole at the center. The blade is correctly stamped and shows a double edge with median ridge running down the center, an early weapons feature. This is paired with an older sheath with classic 1800’s Sioux geometric patterns and stylings showing a beaded design in dag form with a top tie and bottom fringes. The sheath is done in Indian brain-tanned and parfleche buffalo / bison hide. The beadwork shows colors of chalk white, cobalt and greasy yellow. Provenance: The knife is attributed to being personally owned by the famous Hunkpapa Sioux Chief Sitting from the ex-collection of Sioux Dr. Charles Eastman. Later it was acquired by Father Joseph Ward with this provenance and was part of the Yankton Indian College Museum. Then acquired by Professor Albert Tallman Free who was the successor to Father Ward at Yankton. Professor Free sold the set to Jim Aplan of Piedmont, South Dakota. Said to be featured in the 1936 book published by the University of Nebraska Press by Winston Clark III titled, “Cowboy an Indian Weapons of the Old West”. Truly one of, if not the most important dag knife on the public market with attribution and provenance from Sitting Bull. Dag knife measures 14.75-inche sin length and the sheath is 18-inches long by 4-inches at its widest.