May 18, 2021 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2021
Lot consist of: (A) Felling axe. Old "SBS / K 0245" markings (Kravic dug) with double maker's cross marks in circle. This is the exact axe pictured in Neumann's "Collector Encyclopedia of the American Revolution" page 25 upper row, far left. Markings indicate it was dug by Kravic, South Bay, Lake Champlain near White Hall where he found the ship "Enterprise" from the French & Indian War. These large axes are the earliest ones traded in America. Most of which seem to bear the circle with cross markings believed to be an early Jesuit trademark. They were traded by the Spanish in the 1520-1550 period, the French 1550-1750 and the English from 1650-1690's. (B) Felling axe, 8" x 5 1/2". 17th century trade. Documented burial dig with nice, old museum tag indicating it was found in May of 1959 in Burial No. 10 Bunce site, Victor, New York; a Seneca Indian site that dates from 1670-1687 when it was destroyed by the French. Excavations were done there in 1958-1959 as confirmed by the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Very rare documented 17th century axe. This is the largest and oldest documented axe in the collection. (C) Large curved flat spike tomahawk, 9 1/2" tall with 4" rounded edge. Large size with "S (with two dots)" deeply stamped into blade. Oval eye with double rounded ears.(D) Felling axe, 8" x 4". Oval eye, no step at back below eye. See "Their Fires Are Cold" by Colonel Raymond C. Vietzen, pages 111 and 171 for similar axes. This one is forged iron with steel bit insert. Vietzen calls it French Jesuit type with three crosses on each side, c. 1650-1700. Other collectors think this triple marking designates a better quality axe (more stamps - better quality). (E) Square poll camp hatchet axe. Mid 1750's to Revolutionary War period. Bought from Neumann in the 1990's at the Baltimore Show. DRG