This is a truly astounding piece of history, a Columbia S.C. marked Civil War Bowie Knife used in the Confederacy and later by a cavalry soldier who perished on the battlefield at Little Bighorn. The knife was examined by Deforest Civil War Museum’s Rodney L. Dary and found to be correct as a Civil War era and potentially used bowie (with accompanying signed letter). As well the knife was examined by The Guns of History and found to be marked with clearly seen Togia Lakota language marks on the handle. This knife is deduced as likely being carried by Miller, Henry, Blsm, Co. E in the U.S. 7th Cavalry under General George Armstrong Custer into the Battle of the Little Bighorn and captured at the battle by Minneconjou Sioux Buffalo Bull. The knife is marked on the handle “Buffalo Bull kill soldier dead – take knife – good knife – Battle Greasy Grass – solider knife” (illustration 1) and “Buffalo Bull trade knife – good knife for horse” along with the Bar W Ranch brand carved (illustration 2). Buffalo Bull (Heslusluta) was born in 1830, sometimes referred to as Last Bull. He was a minor chief of the Minneconjou Sioux and brother friend to Lame Deer, part of the Lame Deer Wakpokinyan Band. They both were part of the 1868 non-treaty faction, being Lame Deer’s chief lieutenant and war chief. The knife is nicely marked, “Columbia S.C.” at the ricasso. The knife has a brass guard and hardwood two-piece grips with brass pins. The grips are clearly carved and signed, one of the most clearly marked pieces we have offered. The knife comes with a letter from a previous owner, a signed letter from The Guns of History Wendell Grangaard with the togia history, letter from Rodney L. Dary Deforest Civil War Museum confirming the pieces authenticity from the Civil War era, as well as illustrations and additional history from the Battle.