Dagger
Material: Wood, iron, bronze, leather
Construction: sewn leather, carved wood, forged iron
Marks: Initials J.I.
Features: A smoothly carved wooden handle with brass and iron rivets seats this iron blade. Five iron rivets dot the handle near the blade, six at the top of the grip, and six dots forming a circle with a seventh in the center marks the center of the hand on either side. Ten bronze rivets form an oblong circle around the seven iron rivets.The blade itself forms a spear point shape, made of dark iron.The sheath is dark leather with diamond shaped tooling along the front. All is sinew sewn. Initials J or T and I near the scabbard throat.
Period: Early 19th
Provenance: Connecticut Estate
Blade Size: 7"
Overall Size: 12"
Weight: 1lbs 1.5 oz
Condition: Surface scratches mar the blade, but no chips or faults can be seen.The leather is mostly intact, but has some minor tearing and scratches.
History: The knife was an essential tool used for cutting meat, hides, wood and food. It could also be a formidable weapon. A knife was a weapon, tool and eating and cooking utensil all in one. An Indian could use it to put up dwelling, mend moccasins an clothing, make arrows, skin animals, clean fish, build traps, scrape hides, take scalps. It never left the Indian’s side. It was either carried around the neck on a rawhide string or sheathed at his side. This simple instrument could be crucial in a life or death struggle with man, beast or the elements.