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Sioux Beaded Sheath & I. Wilson Buffalo Skinner

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Sioux Beaded Sheath & I. Wilson Buffalo Skinner
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The lot features a unique I. Wilson Sheffield England Buffalo Skinning knife and Lakota Sioux Fully Beaded Sheath. The trade knife is marked, “I. WILSON SHEFFIELD ENGLAND (with an ‘x’ having four circles in each 90-degree next to a diamond hallmark called the peppercorn and diamond hallmark). The knife was made by John Wilson of Sheffield England circa 1892-1919 and shows the correct hallmark and was called the I. Wilson Green River Skinning Knife No. 3840. I. Wilson was a hallmark sold by Sycamore Street and the “Peppercorn and Diamond hallmark is said to be in use from 1750-1919. I. WILSON Buffalo skinning knives have been sold in Buffalo Skinner’s sets by Heritage Auctions and dating to circa 1890’s such as the set sold for $1,375 and again $1,375 both in 2015 (and shown with BP). Another I. Wilson knife and beaded sheath was sold by our company in 2015 and said to date from 1890’s. The sheath shows a parfleche rawhide construction that is covered in Indian tanned hide and shows a period correct geometric beaded pattern showing all early glass trade seed beads in sky padre blue, greasy yellow, corn yellow, butterscotch yellow, semi-transparent green, Cheyenne pink, semi-transparent red, blue, and semi-transparent dark blue. The sheath shows a braided Indian tanned top belt tie and long beaded fringe piece having four long thin hand cut tassels. The top of the sheath shows a fancy beaded edge, an artful addition. The beadwork is sewn with sinew and the Indian tanned hide wrap covering is tied with heavier trade cotton. The piece appears to date to circa 1890-1910’s and is a wonderful authentic piece. Provenance: From a large American Indian and Montana Cowboy collection in Great Falls, Montana. The sheath measures 2.5" x 9.5". The knife measures 9.75" with a 5.5" blade. The knife blade shows a rich authentic patina and has been fastened to a carved Rocky Mountain Elk antler grip, one-piece, with a single copper rivet.