This is an original blacksmith forged hewing axe from Miniconjou War Chief Buffalo Bull from the Battle of the Little Bighorn c. 1876. Buffalo Bull was a Miniconjou Lakota Sioux Native American Indian (Minneconjou, Mnik?ówožu, Hokwoju – ‘Plants by the Water’) War Chief who was present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The hewing axe has been examined and authenticated by renowned historian and Togia language expert, Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History, Inc. The piece is hand forged by a blacksmith in Oneida Co., N.Y. and shows a 7 ½ inch size with an 8 inch blade which has been hand engraved by Buffalo Bull in the Togia Lakota language, “travel – long road – 5 days – black road – meet – trader – trade – Buffalo Bull” (as shown on illustration 1). (Black road means North). The previous carving is shown in illustration 1. The piece comes with the signed letter describing the piece’s history from Wendell Grangaard along with a detailed illustration showing the markings he has translated. Wendell Grangaard is the foremost knowledge on the Togia language along with the Battle of the Little Bighorn as he is the author of the book, “Documenting the Weapons Used at Little Bighorn” 2015. Wendell was also intricate in the authentication and examination of the historic George Armstrong Custer Captured Sharps Carbine from Chief Black Kettle that sold at auction for $127,000. Comes with documentation including a detailed description authenticating the piece signed by Wendell, along with a illustration showing the togia language carvings drawn. Many if not all of these symbols that are shown in the book, “Storied Stone: Indian Rock Art of the Black Hills Country” by Linea Sundstrom from 2004 University of Oklahoma Press. In the book on page 42 it states, “The Oglala holy man Nickolas Black Elk told of Lakota use of rock art in the Black Hills: “There is a place in the Black Hills, also on the Little Big Horn, a bank of solid rock where there are inscriptions that only a medicine man can read. It is a mystery…” Also on page 69 and page 179 are depictions of typical phosphene or entopic designs that match the symbols documented to be found in the rock art of the Black Hills. This book confirms the authentic documentation of these togia language carvings in the historic rock carvings of the Lakota Sioux in Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana. The Togia Language currently is being studied at the Smithsonian Institute and Museum and is recognized as an authentic original language. The letter from Grangaard stating the axe was more than likely used as a war axe tomahawk during the many battler Buffalo Bull was documented to be involved in, including the Battle of the Little Bighorn (Greasy Grass). Measures overall 7.5”W x 8.25”L x 2” thick. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.