Lot 289

American Spiked Axe Revolutionary War Pattern

Estimate: $650 - $1,150

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
The lot features a forged iron spike axe tomahawk paired with a later added twisted wood handle. The axe head exhibits evidence of blacksmith forged folding and a hammered finish across the entire surface. Unlike other examples attributed as naval boarding axes, firearms axes or tools this example shows a thicker heavy head with the blade body and spike body being of similar size, other examples show a thinner blade and much smaller spike in proportion. Crudely forged spike tomahawks were commonly used during the American Colonial and American Revolutionary War periods, for reference see George C. Neuman's "Swords & Blades of the American Revolution" item 57.A on page 269. Also see the Revolutionary War Period American Indian Spike Tomahawk from Morphy Auctions November 2022 and the Late 18th Century Spike Tomahawk from Carol Watson's 2012. This piece was listed by a collector years ago out of New York, New York who stated the axe as being circa 1830-1850 Native American Indian on an older but later added handle, while the head appears to be an early original example its attribution as Native used cannot be confirmed. The head has a dark shiny finish. The wood handle is carved with a twisted pattern spiralling down from starting just below the head. The handle has a dark coloring and is secured at the oval eyelet / eye hole with a single iron spike. While the handle has a deep color and patina its age is unknown. Measures overall 19"L with the head being 9.5"L by 1.75"L across the bottom edge of the blade by 1.25"D at the thickest part.