1870'S HORSE HIDE PURSE PIECE RIFLE CASE FROM

Remarkably Intact Chiricahua Apache 1873 Winchester Carbine Pony Skin Gun Case, associated with Geronimo, with dagged green trade cloth edging, having attached knife sheath holding small antler handled knife and a cartridge pouch. Retaining original strap of the same size. 42" long.Matches the pony skin quiver in this same sale.From last camp of Geronimo (Chiricahua Apache) before surrender, weapons were hidden in caves. Mangas was a nephew of the Chief Mangas Coloradas, unifier of the Apache Nation, (killed in 1863). They hid in the Dragoon Mountains of Arizona, surrendered in Sept 1886 in Skeleton Canyon, AZ.Given to Carl Moon with provenance going back to 1886. Pictured in numerous books and articles, most significantly pages 314-315 of "In Search of Wild Indians" and page 77 of "Who's Who in American Indian Relics, No. 9". From Thomas J. Driebe collection, Moscow, Pennsylvania.Includes 2007 letter from Tom Driebe indicating he got these items directly from the Moon family, that they were gifted to Carl Moon by Geronimo.Ref: "In Search of the Wild Indian: Photographs and Life Works by Carl and Grace Moon" by Tom Driebe, Maurose Publishing Co., Moscow, Pa. 1997. p. 315.