4480 RARE & VERY FINE JOHN WILSON SIGNED PIPE

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 15 @ 17:14UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD

TOMAHAWK HEAD CIRCA 1860. 8.75” head, 4” unsharpened cutting edge, engraved decorations of bird, stag head, and floral patterns signed “Made by J Wilson”. This head has survived in remarkable condition, engraved decoration over most of its surface, not just the blade but sides of pear-shaped eye, sides of forged chevrons holding bowl, and body of the pipe bowl. John Wilson (1805-1870) from Chadron, Nebraska is among the very few frontier blacksmiths whose work is known because of signed examples like this. CONDITION: fine overall, forged iron head has gray steel surface with scattered cosmetic dings & dents. of interest is that 1” panels at the top edge of blade have had design or probably name removed. there are hundreds of small gouges obliterate the original markings which only tiny remnants remain. Regardless, this is possibly the most highly decorated of any of Wilson's work. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Glen E. Mattox. (02-18488/JS). $3,000-4,000.