This is a wonderful original American Indian Dag knife attributed to the Cree Native American Indians and dating to circa Mid-19th Century. This “Chief’s Grade” or “Presentation Grade” knife features a solid wood nicely figured grain handle / grip that is secured with seven silver pins and rivets. This style of ornate dag knife is referred to as a “Chief’s Grade” or “Presentation Grade” knife as they were given to Chief’s and tribal dignitaries during trade negotiations and treaty signings. The forged iron knife shows a raised median ridge running down the center of the blade, a documented early weapon features also seen on dag knives dating to pre-1860. Th dag fighting knife is adorned with brass trade tacks at the pommel or end along with two at the bolster on one side and one with a silver pewter crown emblem on the other. The crown emblem indicates that the dag knife was likely of British manufacture for the fur trade. American Indian early dag knives are commonly referred to as “Beaver Paddle/ Beavertail” dag knives. This is due to the fact most dag knives were traded on the frontier along the Great Lakes region through the St. Lawrence seaway westward by early fur traders. From the Great Lakes region on westward the knives became very popular among the Northern Plains/Upper Plateau tribes such as the Cree, Metis, Blackfoot, Nez Perce, Chippewa/Ojibiwa and Shoshone. These were made to be killing weapons, this is why dag knives show a clean long double-sided blade without any serration as they were for battle. Unlike other knives worn by Indian Warriors the dag knife would have been worn around the Indians neck on his chest. The knife shows a rich original patina and signs of age and use with minor nicks and expected wear, otherwise the piece displays very well. Provenance: From the Ben Thompson Collection, a noted war club and tomahawk collector and author / expert. The piece comes from the same collector as the Dag Knife sold by our company on 4/29/2017 for $10,200 (with premiums) that was authenticated by the Sotheby’s expert David Roche and from the same collection as the Cree Dag Knife with Sheath that sold for $12,300 (with premiums) at our companies 8/25/2018 sale. The piece shows the proper signs of age and use with minor dings and scratches and a fine patina. Measures overall 13”L. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.