Plains Indian chisel edges

[Alberta Ed]

While visiting the excellent Jim Gatchell Frontier History Museum in Buffalo, Wyoming, last month, I was intrigued to see among the impressive display of western artifacts, a rusty trade knife which had been much worn down on one side from repeated sharpenings. The caption noted that if was easy to distinguish knives used by North American Indian tribes because they habitually sharpened knives on one side only. That seems to make sense. In any case, it was an interesting revelation. The museum is well worth your time, if you've ever through there. It has one of the best collections of western gear and weapons I've ever seen in one place. Lots of guns and displays from the Johnson County wars, some gear made by Jim Bridger, etc.

 

[Cougar Allen]

The mountain men did that too, for the same reason (skinning). Of course they only did it left-handed if they were left-handed....

 

[oregon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County_War

Thank you kindly for the Buffalo Wyoming tip Ed. It is now on my list.

I was introduced to the Wyoming Civil War when I first saw the big budget movie Heaven's Gate. Quite a story. It put the fear into me to think that class-based war actually took place openly in the West. Not very romantic.

I was in southern Wyoming briefly about a month ago and was charmed and delighted with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody. It is huge, modern and rivals museums of the eastern US. Inside the center you find a mammoth collection of firearms from, what seems like, every manufacturer of every age. In addition, there is the Plains Indian wing. They have constructed a full-size wood and mud lodge in which you can sit, watch and listen to historic presentations.

I took pictures of many of the knives on display. I will hunt and peck to find a good one or two and post them here. I wish that there was more of a digital database to explore but there is some here:

http://www.bbhc.org/home/index_flash.cfm

No flash in the BBHC so my apologies for the quality. I have enhanced the brightness to bring out the knife's edge for your amusement:

Also, when in Cody, don't miss the monument and grave of Jeremiah Johnson, just North of the rodeo grounds in Trail Town (the deep canyon of the Shoshone River is in the background):

All the best,

oregon