May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
For a similar example with pierced head and four grooves around the eye, see Fig. 3 on page 104 of "Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes" by Hartzler & Knowles. The example featured in the book is in the National Museum of the American Indian. The head measures 9 - 1/4" overall with a wide flaring blade of 7 - 7/8" with a crescent cutting edge of 5". The head features four star piercings as well a crescent moon. Around the back of the eye there are four grooves. Blade also shows 29 total "kill" notches along the top of blade on both sides. The original round haft measures 22 - 7/8" overall and has a drilled hold towards the bottom for ornamental feathers and beads. Towards the head, there are three columns of four brass tacks. A square nail is hammered into top of haft. CONDITION: Head retains a pleasing brown patina with some light pitting, a couple edges marred. Haft is very dry and tacks have dark patina. A small piece of composite was added in front, below head to keep it in place due to shrinkage. A fine Missouri War Hatchet. DMG