May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
This is probably the most-publicized tomahawk in existence, featured in eight printed works and also has wonderful provenance as being part of some of the most important American Collections ever assembled. Most recently, the tomahawk was part of a display at the 2019 Kentucky Rifle Association Convention titled "Silver Mounted Pipe Tomahawks" by Bill Myers, Steve Fuller, and Jim Johnston. Dating circa 1770-1800, the 21-1/2? figured maple haft has six silver bands and twelve engraved silver inlays, along with silver mouthpiece. The well-forged head with teardrop shaped eye also has two engraved silver insets in blade, one being half moon and the other a florally decorated oval. There are also filed designs on bowl and the blade. Below the bowl on both sides of the eye, there are small silver inlaid hearts in relief. The edge around the bowl is serrated. The silver cap on top of the haft is engraved with a star and rocker-panel borders. There are bands of cross-hatched silver inlays on top edge of the blade and filed crosshatching on the bottom edge. LITERATURE: Copies of covers and pages featuring this piece are included for each reference. This exact tomahawk is illustrated on page 34 plate 52 of John Baldwin’s "Tomahawks, Pipe Axes of the American Frontier" 1995 and attributed to the William H. Guthman Collection. It is also shown and described on page 45 of "Bowie Knives" by Robert Abels and on page 20 of "The Robert Abels Collection of Bowie Type Knives of American Interest" (Copies of both books are included). This piece is also shown as plate 9.VII on page 258 of "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann. Also shown and described as number 122 of "American Indian Tomahawks" by Harold R. Peterson and on page 133 of "Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersmen Belt Axes" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James A. Knowles. Also in a March 1981 Article of "The Magazine Antiques" by William H. Guthman pages 658 to 664. Also featured in a 1999 article "Collecting Americana" by Bill Guthman for the American Society of Arms Collectors PROVENANCE: Bill Guthman Collection; Robert Abels Collection; William Myers Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, overall. A couple silver inlays are slightly loose or raised, due to haft shrinkage and a couple missing silver pins. Appears "as found" with its original haft, iron has a smooth gray patina and silver has a gray pewter patina overall. Head slightly loose due to shrinkage, a couple minor nicks and marks. This is as fine an example of a late 18th Century pipe tomahawk as you will encounter with great provenance and a complete an extensive portfolio of documentation.
Item Dimensions: 21 - 1/2" x 8 - 1/4".
Paperwork
Extensive Provenance as described