3605 LARGE GROUP OF PUBLISHED TRADE GOODS.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 300.00 USD
Estimated at 600.00 - 800.00 USD
Pictured on pages 201-203 of "The Fur Trade" are scarce iron trade goods, some excavated as survival on many items is rare. On page 201 is "round flat scraper made by blacksmith". Everything on page 202 is in this lot including "two spear points were used for fishing and hunting small animals such as muskrats. Awls were indispensable by squaws for working with leather and they beaded pouches for carrying them. Before metal trade awls were available, their awls were fashioned from bone. The offset awl was designed to receive a handle and was commonly used in making birch bark canoes" the most interesting item in lot is long iron spike attached to haft: "A KILLING STICK …that was used by Indians to dispatch captured beaver by striking them in the eye to avoid damage to the pelts. The point is 8 inches long and handle is 12 inches. Fish hooks used by Indians and fur trade personnel. These were found near Fort Michilimackinac." On page 203 are hand tools, including fine red painted small ax and handle. The "adz was a versatile tool for shaping and peeling logs. The poll end could be used as a hammer. The excavated hoe blade is of early French type. It is 7 1/2" long and 5" wide at the blade edge. It was made by a blacksmith probably in the 1700-1760 period". In addition to these pictured are additional early ax heads and excavated early hoe head. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Copy of "The Fur Trade, A History of Arms and Trade Goods" by Milton von Damm. CONDITION: good overall, excavated iron has heavy pitting. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of author Milton Von Damm. (02-22262/JS). $600-800.