May 18, 2021 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2021
Lot consists of: (A) Spike tomahawk, mid 1700's to Revolutionary War period. American made forged welded from two halves of iron. Eye is rectangular with thick walls and squared shoulders. 9" x 2" with rectangular, slightly curved spike. Information with it says it was found next to the blockhouse of Sir William Johnson, an 18th century British Indian agent. See Hartzler & Knowles, page 44, figure 19 for another axe found at this site made in the same fashion of two halves forge welded. This may have been made by Indians being taught metal forging since it is rather crude. There were five forges at this site, way more than needed to maintain a settlement. They were making them for trade and as gifts. (B) Spike tomahawk, 9" x 1". With rounded blade. This axe is the one pictured in "Their Fires Are Cold", Vietzen, page 133. Found near Fort Ticonderoga. Teardrop eye with thin walls, rounded rear ear, mid-18th century style and construction; square spike. From H. Jacoby Collection. (C) Spike tomahawk, 5" x 1 1/2". Traces of old tag that reads "Dug in May of 1955 at Fort -", see "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution", Neumann, page 269, 60.A; and "American Indian Tomahawks", Peterson, Figure 71 for identical axe. Semi rounded triangular spike; small, oval eye. Classic lightweight fighting axe. The identification was probably removed when sold, as it was probably dug where it was forbidden. Since it came from an antique shop in Keene, New Hampshire, the owner believed it may have been found at Fort No. 4, circa 1746, in Charlestown, New Hampshire, only about 25 miles away. Its very early style points to this location also. (D) Spike tomahawk, 7 1/4" x 3". c. 18th century. From upstate New York house. Oval eye, rounded rear ears. (E) Straight spike tomahawk, 8 1/2" x 2 1/4". Trade axe. Rounded front and rear ears, square eye, squared, flared blade with legible maker's mark. These large style of straight spike axes with oval or rounded double ears and several blade and spike styles all fall into the 1720-1760 range. Several letters with it states that it was dug closed to Deerfield Village, Massachusetts and that it is authentic. It is of good steel quality so it survived quite well in the ground. Has nice age patina. (F) Spike tomahawk, 6" x 2". Short, flat spike, rounded eye with rounded ears. (G) Spike tomahawk, iron forged. Very unusual style with octagon hammerhead. A nasty weapon and useful when camping. 18th century. With flat "Mohawk" (Lake Huron area) style curved "Eagle beak" spike with rounded inset groove on one side. Teardrop eye with large rounded ears. French & Indian War, excavated at Fort Ticonderoga. Old collection number "T61457" worn off now (see tag). DRG
Blade Length
(A) 2" (B) 1" (C) 2 - 1/4" (D) 3" (F) 1 - 3/4" (G) 1 - 1/2"
Overall Length
(A) 9" (B) 8 - 3/4" (C) 8 - 1/4" (D) 7 - 1/4" (E) 6" (F) 6" (G) 5 - 1/8"
Paperwork
Descriptions, Etc