SUPERB & HISTORICAL MANDAN GRIZZLY BEAR JAW KNIFE

North Dakota Dagger with Jukes Coulson stamped blade, double edged, the handle from a jaw having 2 1/2" incisors, six teeth remaining in jawbone, found at gravesite, 'X' rotted off, thong replaced, 8" blade, 15" long overall. Wire repair to handle. With bearskin sheath. It is very difficult to find a bear jaw dagger in any condition. Most warriors would have had their weapons, especially their knives buried with them. Next to an Indian War Shield, an Incisor Jaw knife is the most difficult to find.Claimed as the knife featured in Charles Bodmer's painting "Assiniboines and Cree Attack a Small Encampment of Blackfeet", August 28, 1833. See reference from painting.Includes Richard Pohrt, Jr. letter dated 1/31/99, authenticating the handwritten interview transcript by Richard Pohrt, Sr. with Milford Chandler in Sierra Madre, California in 1977, describing the history of this knife. Was in the collection of a man in Detroit who was a friend of William Rolston, who said he had picked it up in North Dakota at the graveyard "you might call it" of the Mandan near Fort Berthold. He said it was "laying on the ground, not protected in any way, exposed to the weather". He rewrapped the handle with leather thong.Previously sold for 85K by Bob Nelson (Morningstar).