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ORIGINAL 19TH CENTURY NORTHERN PLAINS
BEADED SHEATH WITH LF&C TRADE KNIFE – A LARGE, VERY
ATTRACTIVE SHEATH IN EXCELLENT CONDITION:
This is a beautifully
executed original 19TH Century Northern
Plains beaded knife sheath, the body measuring just over
9 ˝” long and 3 ˝” wide at the top opening. The
beadwork incorporates geometric designs popular among
such tribes as the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe
peoples on the western plains.
The sheath is constructed with a native brain tanned
hide front panel, sewn to a light rawhide back panel.
The geometric style beadwork was skillfully executed
with sinew
in small seed beads utilizing the
very desirable early 19TH Century colors in
various shades. The attractive designs were worked in
two sections, typical of these scabbards. The beadwork
was applied in tight, well executed lanes, attesting to
the skill of the woman who made this sheath. All of the
beadwork is tight and intact with no loss or loose
strands. There is a bead wrapped drop at the tip of the
sheath.
The beads and hide show aging and patina consistent with
old beadwork and evidence that this sheath was worn and
used, and not fabricated for the tourist trade. There is
a light buckskin thong on the reverse for hanging the
sheath from the original owner’s belt.
The sheath is accompanied by an early Landers, Frary &
Clark “UNIVERSAL” brand trade knife. LF&C, as the
company was commonly known, was founded in 1862 in New
Britain, Connecticut and they were known for their
quality cutlery.
Measuring 10 ˝” long in
overall length, the knife has a 6” single edged blade
which is legibly stamped with “UNIVERSAL”; “LF&C”;
“DOUBLE SHEAR” maker’s mark. The blade shows evidence
of use and having been sharpened, but not to the point
that altered or reduced the profile of the blade. The
blade is overall smooth with a few small areas of
minimal discoloration and pitting.
The tang has the
characteristic known on these early knives – that of
having a taper in the thickness of the steel, tapering
from the thickest at the blade to the thinnest at the
top of the grip.
The wood handle scales are full
form and intact, in excellent condition with no checks
or splits, and still held firmly in place with the
original iron pins. LF&C knives were certainly traded
out on the frontier and blades of this size would have
been popular with the traders and Indians, certainly
appropriate for being carried in this sheath.
In spite of the obvious signs of age and use, this
sheath has survived in excellent condition and displays
very well. The attractive design and substantial size,
this Beaded Sheath and Knife will be a dramatic
addition to your collection, and would a perfect piece
to display on a Model 1876-79 Prairie Belt, one of the
1880’s Mills Cartridge Belts, or on a civilian buffalo
hunter’s cartridge belt. (0409)
$1650
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