A Frontier Dagger sheath

[ChuckBurrows]

Here's how James Kirker was described by one of Doniphan's Missouri Regiment in 1846:
"Fringed buckskin shirt and breeches, heavy broad Mexican hat, huge spurs, all embellished and ornamented with Mexican finery......In addition to a Hawkens rifle elegantly mounted and ornamented with silver inlaid on the stock, he was armed with a choice assortment of pistols and Mexican daggers........."

I've always loved that description and it helped inspire this piece that is just in time for Christmas
- this one was styled after daggers and sheaths made along the American Frontier from the late 1700's through the late 1800's. The sheath has a bark tan leather core, deer rawhide cover with an alum tawed sheepskin cuff and belt loop. Sheath decoration includes two weeping heart inlays (a common deco motif of the period), glass pound beads, hand cut wrought iron tacks, and tin cone tinklers with horse hair tufts. There is a simple leather whang retention strap decorated with a tin cone, brass, and glass beads.
Hope ya'll enjoy - this is one of my favorites and it all came together "smoothly" - many others do not................

NOTE: The 7 1/2" blade was hand forged by the late Gib Guignard of Cactus Forge. The grip is white tail deer leg bone with a rawhide wrap and linen thread overwrap at three places, a brass double guard, and some brass tacks for decoration.

 

[Pieter]

WOW Awesome great craftmanship, well done

 

[Ironlath]

Beautifully done!

 

[Denny Eller]

Chuck, both the knife and the sheath are incredible works of period art. Both, IMHO, belong in museums to celebrate a Native American art form of days long ago. Your skill, and that of the late Mr. Guignard, never cease to make my jaw drop. Thank you for posting this.

 

[Dan Pierson]

Wow Chuck! I doubt that it's possible for you to surpass yourself but that is right up there with your very best.

 

[roughcountry]

I sure like both the knife & sheath. I wouldn't have a clue were to even start a sheath like that. Great work.

 

[SCALPHUNTER]

Both pieces are very nice work, Chuck.