Just finished up this SW style trade knife and sheath. Unlike most of my knives which are collaborations (I don't/can't forge blades much these days with a bad neck) the entire package was made by me. This style knife and sheath can be documented as early as circa 1800 so would be appropriate for the 1807-1840's fur trade era or the later 1860-1880's Indian Wars period or any period in between.
The knife has a 7 3/4" hand made blade. The blade is thin like the originals and was converted to this style from a circa 1900 extra large Old Hickory blade. The birdshead grip is Osage Orange with a cast pewter bolster and a buffalo rawhide wrap - all with an aged finish. OAL is 12 1/2".
The aged sheath, inspired by a couple of originals, is made of harness leather with a brain/smoke tan beaded cuff and fringe. Decoration includes period glass beads, brass tacks and beads, and tin cone tinklers. The sheath is pretty neat since it can be worn in several positions including left or right hand crossdraw in the front or in teh middle of the back as seen so often in A. J Miller's prints of the mountain men.
hope ya'll enjoy the look see.........
