This excellent presentation Bowie Knife was presented to Joe Big Plume, Head Chief of the Sarcee Tribe of Calgary [currently known as the Tsuu T'ina Nation], by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the world Scout Movement in June of 1923. An officer in the British Army and veteran of a number of African conflicts, Baden-Powell was the author of the book "Aids to Scouting"; originally penned as a military training manual, the book was widely embraced by teachers and youth groups, that would later become the Scouts. While attending a Scout and Cub demonstration at the Victoria Arena, Calgary, Canada a presentation was made by the Sarcee Tribe, represented by multiple Sarcee chiefs and headed by Chief Big Plume, where Baden-Powell was gifted with an elaborate head dress and the honorary rank of Chief. As a Sarcee Chief, he was granted the name "Spotted Eagle", a title shared with one of the Sarcee's noted ancestors. As a token of appreciation, this knife was commissioned with the cutlers of Sheffield; the exact time of presentation is unknown. Measuring 15 1/2 inches in overall length, the blade shows a recurve 'yataghan' profile, 8 1/2 inches long with a sharpened 3 inch back clip, deep single fullers running along the file-decorated spine, and the etched inscription "Presented to/JOE BIG PLUME/BY/SIR ROBERT BADEN POWELL/(SPOTTED EAGLE)/JUNE 1923." on the left side ahead of the Maleham & Yeomans makers mark. The grip is carved, checkered buffalo horn, with a silver finished brass ball-quillion guard, a raised acorn and oak leaf pattern on the silver finished nickel ferrule, and a three-dimensional horse head pommel finished in silver. Included with the knife is a leatherette presentation case with gold embossing and red velvet inner lining, as well as a collection of research material supplied by the consignor. The material includes correspondence with historical associations, news clippings about Chief Big Plume and the Victoria Arena demonstration, photocopies of published pictures of Baden-Powell and Big Plume meeting at later Scout events, a copy of Knife World (May 1996, Volume 22, Number 5) featuring this knife on the front page, and the book "B-P" by E.E. Reynolds.

Extremely fine overall. A few small chips are present along the edge of the blade, along with some light spotting and handling marks. The etching is sharply defined. The grip is very good with a few light dents, and the hilt components show a mixed aged patina with bright edge wear. Case is very good with some flaking of the exterior and wear concentrated along the edges. An attractive example of the Sheffield cutler's art with an intriguing inscription and extensive research.