3569 MISSOURI WAR HATCHET WITH BEADED DROP.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
From Milton von Damm Collection: "This original tomahawk is 24 inches long with a thin iron blade that is 8 inches high, just under 1 inch at the top tapering out to 5 inches at the cutting edge. It has a 10 inch long blue and maroon beaded drop, not counting the leather fringes at the bottom. The 24 inch handle has three lead inlayed stripes, about 25 tacks near the eye, 20 small tacks securing an 8 inch leather wrap at the end of the handle. The blade is particularly interesting. The eye is not round, but tapers slightly. There are two groves around the eye. Punch marks along the blade edge on both sides, and a stamped possibly Indian design on the blade. Tomahawks of this style were popular among tribes along the Missouri River from the Mississippi to the big bend beginning with French Traders until about 1830, the beginning of the decline of the rocky Mountain Rendezvous period. They were too clumsy to be used as tools or weapons, especially on horseback. Lewis and Clark found that they were in great demand in 1805 where they wintered with the Mandans. they were also popular with the Osage, Pawnee, Oto, Comanche, Dakota Fox, Sauk Kansa and Iowa tribes, particularly between 1810-1830." CONDITION: very good to fine. PROVENANCE: Don Euing Collection; Ed Greene Collection; Lifelong Collection of author Milton von Damm. (02-22254/JS). $3,000-4,000.