The blade, or head, on the above example was purchased from the first owner in it's present condition and is of unknown age and origin. It is said that it was originally a pipe spontoon, but the pipe bowl was broken off at some point prior to coming into his and my possession.
The handle is hand-carved from very highly figured curly maple, and stained with aqua fortis, a nitric acid based stain used by gunsmiths since the 1700s. The head is 9 inches long, and the handle is 21 inches. A very elegant piece.
The triangular shaped pendant of braintan leather is quilled in white stepped triangles with blue borders against the red background and edge-beaded with light blue pound (pony) beads. Long plain hide fringe, five brass hawk bells, and blue padre beads finish the ornament. The hide is backed with red calico.
