The lot features a meteorite damascus clip point knife attributed as being owned by Black Crane a scout of General Miles. Black Crane participated in the campaign against Chief Joseph the Nez Perce. The Bear Paw Mountain Battle was the final battle of the campaign. The piece was examined by Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History and found to be marked in togia a Lakota language. Black Crane or Black Grain was born in 1846 in Montana, the Powder River Country. He belonged to the Band of Dog Soldiers, The Shield Warrior Society and the Bowstring Soldier Society of the Northern Cheyenne. He fought with Two Moons at the Battles of Rosebud and Little Bighorn. The knife is marked Black Crane on the handle alogn with his winter count as well as Dog Soldier (illustrations 1 and 2). It is also marked with teh Cheyenne Circle of Life of teh Shield Warrior Society, Black Crane and the Bowstring Soldier Society Mark. There are notches on the knife blade. Black Crane fought at the Battle of the Little Bighorn capturing a carbine. Later he surrended with Two Moon to General Miles at Fort Keogh, later scouting for Miles until 1878 (hence he retained weapons). The piece shows an Antler tine handle carved with a Bear or Dog head, possibly dog for Dog Soldier with brass hilt and damascus blade, noted as being Meteorite with paperwork. The handle is carved which is noted in the illustrations. A former collector dyed the handle red so that the carvings and togia would stand out more. Purchased for nearly $50,000 in the last ten years. Measures overall 9 7/8"L.

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