The stag handled hunting knife has a 5 3/4" blade and a black leather scabbard with German silver fittings, including a mouth piece inscribed "J.D./to/W.M.B". It is framed with a print of a portrait of Sheriff William Brady of Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, and a statement reading: "Rare American Made Bowie by Hassam Bro.'s Boston. Presentation J.D. to W.M.B. J.D. was J.J. Dolan who with John Riley owned a big general store called 'The House' in Lincoln, New Mexico. The county seat of Lincoln county. W.M.B. was William M. Brady, who was the Sheriff of Lincoln county. On April 1, 1878, sheriff Brady was shot and killed by Billy the Kid. These men were all involved in the Lincoln county war." It is of note that Sheriff William Brady's middle initial is J. The consignor stated, "The Lincoln County War, in which William Brady played a prominent part, is a wild and exciting chapter in settlement of the West. What part this knife may have played will likely never be known but there is always the possibility that something may turn up in the future." The lot also contains an original period portrait identified as featuring Judge John Riley and his wife, a Lincoln County Stock Association receipt signed by James Dolan as the association's treasurer in 1887, a check signed by James J. Dolan in 1895, and an original photograph identified as "Jimmy Dolan/Last know[n] photo 1888".

Overall very good with age and storage related wear, including cracks in the glass on the period frame for the Dolan attributed photo.