January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
A Pawnee pipe tomahawk made by the William Horstmann Co. of Philadelphia, PA. The head is nickel plated & bears the "Horstmann / Phila" stamp on the ricasso, it is 7 3/4" with a 2 1/4" blade. The polished and finished 16" haft features a unique, under-curl at the tip. Pipe tomahawks attributed to known makers are scarce. An identical example of this piece can be found at the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, Nebraska; and in the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. That example is pictured in "American Indian Tomahawks" by Harold Peterson, 1965, figure 231. There is an open crack in the handle at the smoking tip and the blade does show use.
Item Dimensions: 17" x 7 - 3/4".