The lot features an original authentic 19th Century American Indian Dag Knife attributed to the Hunkpapa Sioux Native American Indians of North Dakota. The piece is from a large collection of Northern Plains material and was collected at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The blade, a hand-forged iron example, has a slight raised median ridge running down the center of the blade on both sides, a documented early weapon features also seen on dag knives dating to pre-1850. The flat wood haft or handle is adorned with old brass trade tacks in a design along both sides and the base of the flared pommel butt end. The tacks all show a nice mellow patina from much age and use and are all solid square shank period correct examples. The entire knife shows a nice, deep patina with expected nicks an dings from age and use with the blade having some minor oxidation. 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 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. Overall the knife measures 12 ½ inches in length. 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.