29

Flathead Indian Beaded Rifle Scabbard c. 1900

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Flathead Indian Beaded Rifle Scabbard c. 1900
Advertising, Firearms, Antiques, Collectibles, Antique Furniture, Native American Artifacts, Navajo Jewelry, Silver, Gold, Montana History Artifacts, Navajo Indian Rugs, Taxidermy Mounts, Slot Machines, Cash Registers, Early Chinese Artifacts.
The lot features an exceptional beaded Indian tanned rifle scabbard from the Flathead Native American Indians of Montana. The piece comes from a collection that was acquired in the 1960's in the Northwestern Montana area by a Mrs. Weiss. The piece shows a heavy Rocky Mountain Elk Indian tanned hide constuction with trade wool clothe accents having glass trade seed beads in a wonderful floral pattern. The beadwork is done with all seed and petit seed beads, a true testimate of its early age. The beadwork is in chalk white, greasy yellow, meidum green, orange, corn yellow, light blue. The end of the scabbard shows a unique two piece heavy wide fringe that is scored gibing the appearance of arrow fletching or a horses tail, an artistic accent. The hide shows a yellow ocher dye along with some staining from gun oil and shows some stiff areas along with the majority being supple, a sign of age. This has a collection museum tag with ID numbers. From the Great Falls, Montana Collection. The piece appears to fit a Winchester Model 1873 Rifle or Musket. The scabbard measures 44 1/2" long, and 7 1/4" wide at the opening. Very unusual to have such a large Flathead Indians piece with such an early age.