A gallery of original tomahawks for the last Tuesday in 2019, which is now Tomahawk Tuesday. Many of these are pipe tomahawks, which if you’re not familiar with them, was a cleverly conceived invention made for the North American Indian trade. It combined a pipe and a metal axe into a single trade item, both of which were highly prized by American Indians. It was a huge hit on the trade market, and extended to widespread use by American white frontiersmen as well, as indicated by the “M.M.” pipe tomahawk pictured below, which appears to have been specially made and used by a white guy.
Some of these go back to the 17th century, as is the case with the small early forged axe which was excavated at Jamestown, and which belonged to Harold Peterson. In the early days of Jamestown, these metal axes were big ticket items with the natives around the Jamestown area. Despite what many people think, the tidewater Virginia natives were already well acquainted with european metal axes, even before the Jamestown settlers arrived, due to trade with the Spanish, and earlier settlement attempts. They weren’t widespread, but they were known, and highly desired. A black market trade developed between the Jamestown settlers and local natives, causing the leaders of both sides to attempt to plug it, since it diluted their power and deflated the value of their goods.
To me, holding an original tomahawk brings history to life like nothing else, inevitably leading you down the path of wondering where it had been, and what it saw.
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Excavated at Jamestown Spontoon pipe hawk found in Pennsylvania; Ex coll. Gordon Barlow Found in PA Found in central PA; original plain haft Gun barrel pipe hawk, dug at Ft. Pitt Gordon Barlow display Old vs. new Original spike hawk on the right; Jeff Cline copy on the left One found in VA, the other in MO, by the same blacksmith Dug in Lee County, MO Dug in Stuart’s Draft, VA Original burl war club Dug at McKees Rocks, PA Dated 1800 Initials “MM”, or “WW”? Dated and signed pipe hawk Early “belly ripper” style spike tomahawk, popular in NY great lakes area Early halberd style all metal tomahawk Found in a creek in OH Upstate NY English trade pipe hawk, high brass form, haft by Carl Pippert. Ex coll: Walter O’Connor Found at Pelee Island, off Sandusky, OH. Original haft and leather gasket. Ex coll. Bill Meyers, Gordon Barlow Ex coll. Jim Johnson dated 1774 The early style with no eye – just stuck in a haft. Found in the Greenbrier River Corn planter’s pipe tomahawk, while it was on the run…. Melted brass pipe hawk Dug at L’ Arbre Croche, MI
Fantastic stuff
Indeed, thanks for looking.
Fantastic !!
The quintessential American weapon.
Thanks for all the great posts. Happy New Year!
Great source of info. Thank you!!!
Love it great idea and info
Wonderful items of great historical importance and rich character.
An old patriot thanks you !