The lot features a Lane & Read .52 caliber trade rifle with L. Hemenway barrel out of Boston marked in togia and brass tacking from Oglala Sioux Warrior Knife from a Crazy Horse War Band used during the Great Sioux Indian Wars. The rifle was examined by Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History and found to be marked in Togia, a Lakota language, as well with brass tacking documented as Indian made with the paperwork included. The name Knife is written in togia on the left wrist (illustration 1) and on the left side of the stock (illustration 2). The left side of the stock (illustration 2) shows the brass tack / button configuration of the Oyuhkpe Band and the brass tack / button configuration for Little Hawks Personal Band Mark. Little Hawk was brother to the great Crazy Horse. The right side of the stock is also marked Knife as well as the brass / button configuration of Spotted Tail’s Brule Sicangu Oyate Band and again with the brass tack / button configuration for Little Hawk’s Personal Band Mark (illustration 3). The tacks are all solid brass square shank. Knife was born in 1842 as an Oyuhkpe Oglala Sioux and was a member of Little Hawk’s Band (brother to Crazy Horse). Knife grew to be a great warrior and 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. When Crazy Horse and the rest of the Oglala surrendered on April 18, 1877, Knife, Black Bear and a small group of warriors did not surrender. Instead they were sent by Crazy Horse to guard the cache at Ice Cave. Later in 1880, Knife married Goose Mother and they had a daughter, Wants Her born in 1882. Knife and his family settled on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the Wounded Knee District. The rifle exhibits 24.5”L round heavy rifle barrel with exposed percussion side hammer. The receiver plate is marked Lane & Reed Boston as well as being highly engraved. The barrel is marked L. Hemenway. The trigger guard in solid brass is also engraved. There is a ram rod still included. The butt is solid brass with engravings. Overall length of the gun is 40.5”L overall. Antique Firearm.