Native beauty

Emanuel · 20th April 2007, 04:23 PM

Hello,

A while ago, a knife listed as a native American piece went on the bay for wuite a bit: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...0662&rd=1&rd=1

The knife is IMO magnificent, with a study blade and good craftsmanship. It strikes me as similar to a kindjal in some ways, and I am surprised by the quality of it. Does anyone have information on this type of knife and on which tribe produced them? Was the blade European or could it have been produced by First Nations people, just like the Tlingit people did?

Here is a pic from the listing for posterity.

Regards,
Emanuel

Battara · 20th April 2007, 05:15 PM

These blades were European made and these pieces were European pieces made for trade. I believe these are also called "trade blades" for trade to Native American peoples living in the Eastern and Plains regions. Very rare to find an authentic piece since they were not massed produced and few survived. Many copies are on the market now. If true, this is a great piece in fantastic condition.

Jeff D · 20th April 2007, 05:33 PM

Hi Manolo,

Interesting piece. This style of blade is referred to as a "Beaver Tail" knife and usually had imported blades. Most of the blades came from Sheffield England and were sold by the Hudson Bay Company. As Battara has stated there are many fakes. I have no idea if this is genuine or not.

Hope this helps
Jeff

Lew · 20th April 2007, 05:47 PM

I think these are called black dags or Blackfoot dags? The blades are of European manufacture. If the one on ebay is real which I doubt than the buyer got quite a bargain real dags go for 3 or 4 times more than what he paid.

Lew

Ian · 20th April 2007, 09:38 PM

Looks too good to be true.

Emanuel · 21st April 2007, 04:14 PM

Hi all,
Thanks for the info. It looks good, even if fake. I find it interesting that Amerindian craft is so greatly sought after, the prices seem to get atronomical. I saw a similar dagger on the internet, authentic it seems, and it was quite beautiful.

Best regards,
Emanuel

20th April 2007, 04:23 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Native beauty Hello, A while ago, a knife listed as a native American piece went on the bay for wuite a bit: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...0662&rd=1&rd=1 The knife is IMO magnificent, with a study blade and good craftsmanship. It strikes me as similar to a kindjal in some ways, and I am surprised by the quality of it. Does anyone have information on this type of knife and on which tribe produced them? Was the blade European or could it have been produced by First Nations people, just like the Tlingit people did? Here is a pic from the listing for posterity. Regards, Emanuel Attached Images Last edited by Manolo; 20th April 2007 at 04:25 PM. Reason: another pic

20th April 2007, 09:38 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Well ... Looks too good to be true.

20th April 2007, 05:15 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	These blades were European made and these pieces were European pieces made for trade. I believe these are also called "trade blades" for trade to Native American peoples living in the Eastern and Plains regions. Very rare to find an authentic piece since they were not massed produced and few survived. Many copies are on the market now. If true, this is a great piece in fantastic condition.

20th April 2007, 05:33 PM	#3
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Manolo, Interesting piece. This style of blade is referred to as a "Beaver Tail" knife and usually had imported blades. Most of the blades came from Sheffield England and were sold by the Hudson Bay Company. As Battara has stated there are many fakes. I have no idea if this is genuine or not. Hope this helps Jeff

20th April 2007, 05:47 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I think these are called black dags or Blackfoot dags? The blades are of European manufacture. If the one on ebay is real which I doubt than the buyer got quite a bargain real dags go for 3 or 4 times more than what he paid. Lew

21st April 2007, 04:14 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi all, Thanks for the info. It looks good, even if fake. I find it interesting that Amerindian craft is so greatly sought after, the prices seem to get atronomical. I saw a similar dagger on the internet, authentic it seems, and it was quite beautiful. Best regards, Emanuel