May 18, 2021 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2021
Lot consists of: A) Semi spike tomahawk 6" x 2 1/2". Round eye with slightly flared ears with 5/8" wide and 1 1/4" flat-topped spike, and old 15 1/2" haft. Would still be a nasty weapon but also a useful tool, probably American blacksmith made. Very old replaced haft. (B) Halbard head spike tomahawk, 6" x 4". Early 18th century, of Spanish design with crescent shaped halberd head blade and spike, flat rounded center and the 12" original haft. Shows light cleaning through the years. Ex:Herb Sherlock via Hank Jacoby, who sold it in 1997. Nice letter of origin from Jacoby (who drew the axe on the back of the letter), had been owned by Herb since the 1950's, having come from Kentucky. (C) Hammer poll axe, 5 3/4" x 1 3/4" with 13" haft, which is very old but not period to the axe. American hand forged head, round eye, flat ears. Usual style with double ring decoration on round poll and line decorations on axe base. Mid 18th century (French and Indian War); from Roanoke, Virginia area. (D) Flat hammer poll axe, steel with original 10" haft. Broad arrow hand chiseled into front of head for British property. No doubt made by "R. Gill" of Birmingham, London (identical to another axe in collection), 1778-1780. Original 10" haft threaded into the 4" x 3" head. See "Their Fires Are Cold" by Vietzen, page 135, bottom. (E) Tool - possibly a "tinsmith" from what is said by the tool collectors. c. mid-1800's. 6 3/4" x 1 3/4" spatulated blade with serrations on blade. Round eye with two nails side supports to reinforce the small 8" haft; this is a German trait for mounting handles to heads, carried right into World War I tool mountings on axes. (F + G) Safety; musket lock. This two piece lock is the one pictured in Volume I of "Gun Tools - Their History and Identification", page 337. It lists as c. 1808-1820, hand-forged. Comes with musket hammer for display. It originally came from Dennis Gehagen in 1973 (letter included) in which he states he took it to West Point for identification and was told it was issued with the Model 1808 musket. The only one known, thus it is in the book. DRG