Lot 208

Indian Wars Crazy Horse Band Engraved Derringer

Estimate: $12,500 - $16,500

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 fantastic engraved National Arms Co. Brooklyn, N.Y. Number 2 Derringer marked in togia from an Oglala Sioux Warrior Knife from a Crazy Horse War Band used during the Great Sioux Indian Wars. This unusual and scarcely seen, marked on the top in a single line “NATIONAL ARMS CO. BROOKLYN, N.Y.” a Number 2 with factory engraving chambered in .41 rim fire caliber. This is a pre-Colt Derringer serial number 1539 likely from the first to second year of production circa 1865-1866, late to post Civil War. The pistol was examined by Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History and found to be marked in Togia, a Lakota language with the paperwork included. The gun is marked with the name Robe and the Grass Dancer Band mark (illustrations 1, 2, & 3). Robe, sometimes referred to as Robe Hari Outside, was an Oglala Lakota Sioux warrior, born in 1852. He was selected by Crazy Horse to become a Grass Dancer. This special unit was initially headed by Crazy Horse and later by Black Bear. The band consisted of 13 warriors, with the sole purpose to guard Paha Sapa (also known as Black Hills). During the Indian Wars from 1876-1877, the Grass Dancer band and Knife were moved from Paha Sapa and used by Crazy Horse to scout the location of the soldiers together. Robe went with Crazy Horse and the rest of the Oglala and surrendered on April 18, 1877. Robe and his family settled on the Red Cloud Indian. This is a rare, metallic cartridge derringer dating to circa 1865-1866 produced by National Arms Company who was alter purchased by Colt Manufacturing Company in 1870 in an effort for Colt to break into the metallic cartridge gun market, later producing the Colt Derringer in .41 rimfire in the same pattern as this gun. This example shows a metal barrel with opens at the breech and swings open, breach loading, with a spur trigger and bird head grip. This shows engraving on the metal and brass frame on both sides, checkered wood grips, cut ridge trigger and silver single blade front site with trigger cut rear site. Paperwork included. Also includes paperwork giving a value of $14,000. Antique Firearm.

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