This is a framed grouping of relics recovered in the South Western region of the United States. The frame is made of barn wood and measures 14 1/2" by 14 1/2". The grouping contains leather working tools, trade beads, arrowheads, rifle casings, musket balls, buttons, and decorative items. The leather awls were used by Native Americans in the production of many different items. The awls were used to pierce skins and leather items in order that they be stitched together. The were also used to inscribe or mark leather items for decoration. Trade beads were very popular trade items among the Native Americans. The majority of the glass beads in general traded on the North American continent from the 16th century until around the first half of the 19th century were made in Murano, Venice. Seed beads were called that because of their small size. Pony beads were named that because they were carried on ponies by the trappers and fur traders. Blue and white were the favored colors of the early beads. Metal arrowheads gradually replaced stone projectile points during the later part of the 1800's. The rim fire cartridges were a major advancement over the cap and ball percussion guns. Developed just prior to the Civil War, they were the first of the repeating rifles and pistols. Having a magazine capacity of 15 or more bullets they were easy to reload and delivered tremendous firepower. Among the early rifles were the Spencer, Henry and the legendary Winchester. Musket balls were used with the black powder flint and percussion guns manufactured for nearly 200 years. These included the Kentucky rifle, Indian trade guns, "Mississippi" rifles among a host of others. Buttons were traded for centuries. The one piece brass, bronze or white metal buttons with brass wire eye were traded from 1750 through 1820. The four hole one piece white metal and the two piece pressed steel buttons were used from 1800 through the 1870's. Tinklers were metal cones made from tin cans and hung on the fringe of ceremonial outfits of the Native Americans so that they would make noise when they danced. They were also known to have been made of silver and brass. This is a nice grouping of items used for trade between the early traders and the Native Americans of the south west United States.

Item # AA839

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