This is a historic circa 1856-1860’s American Indian Presentation Dag Knife by Baldwin Hill & Co. New York from the ex-collection of an East Coast Museum and Jim Bastian. The dag knife is highly finished, considered by collectors as an “American Indian Presentation Grade Dag Knife”, typical of western Plains tribes such as the Blackfeet, Sioux, Cree and Assiniboine. The piece is comprised of a blacksmith hand-forged double edge “dag” knife blade correctly stamped, “BALDWIN HILL (& CO) NEW YORK” showing a median ridge running down the center of both sides of the blade. The knife has a solid hardwood one piece Tiger Maple handle inlaid with intricate circle spots, heart and circle pommel end showing silver/copper placards on both sides. Dag knives with presentation grade placards are well documented such as the Sitting Bull dag knife (silver spots, heart and same circle pommel end), the Bonhams example sold in 2015, and the example from the Smithsonian all showing similar placards. Baldwin Hill and Company first appeared in a New York City directory in 1856, such as the Trow’s New York City Directory noting Baldwin, Hill & Co. at 220 Pearl Street. They were active from 1856 into the 1860’s. They have been documented as being a fine edge maker whose blades were traded on the Plains, specifically as “dag” knives; see John Baldwin’s 1995 / 1997 book “Early Knives and Beaded Sheaths of the American Frontier” page 83 and his 2002 book “Indian Guns, Spears and Shields of the American Frontier” page 78 both scans being shown in the lots pictures for example. The piece is well preserved showing typical oxidation and patina from honest age and use with signs of old preservation. Measures overall 13.5-inches long.