Lot 247

Blackfoot Tacked and Beaded Sheath & Trade Knife

Estimate: $850 - $1,100

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is a nice early Reservation Period Montana Blackfoot (Blackfeet) beaded parfleche hide sheath with trade knife from the 19th-20th turn-of-the-century. The sheath shows a rawhide parfleche hide construction with wide pony glass trade beads in a geometric pattern. The beads are all larger wound glass pony beads in colors of greasy red, light blue and white having a diamond and cross pattern. The sheath also shows a double row of brass and metal tacks. The sheath also is paired with a typical skinning knife referred to as a scalping knife by the collector with nice medium thickness metal spin with deeply sharped recurved blade, typical of skinners, with two-piece hardwood grip scales being held into place with copper rivets. The grip scales have a nice, beveled edge being slightly crudely coffin in shape. The blade has a unique scrapped or etched finish, possibly from being cleaned by a previous collector but almost roll engraved in appearance, a curious addition. The back side of the sheath shows a bare finish with large rectangular double cutouts for the use as a belt knife. The sheath also shows a sinew sewing. The sheath measures 10.5 inches in length by 3 7/8 inches wide. The knife is 9.5 inches long with a 5 inch long blade.