Lot 16

Missouri Indian War Axe Tomahawk c. 1780-1820

Estimate: $7,000 - $12,500

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
Available for sale is this extraordinary “Missouri War Axe” war clubs from circa 1780-1820. The tomahawk war club originated from the Native American Indian tribes along the upper Missouri River including the Osage, Otoe, Quapaw, Mandan, Hidatsa and in some cases Pawnee. This example is thought to originate from the Mandan Hidatsa American Indians from the late 18th century to early 19th century. This rare example is one of only a few authentic examples which bear the original blacksmith hallmark on the blade, a truly fine addition. The right side of the blade shows a round heavy stamping in the forged iron wide triangular-shaped heavy head along with being cut into the iron, “MJC”. The traditional Missouri War Axe tomahawk head flows into the nice large size eyelet hole with slight step almost as if a rear spur was supposed to be present. The head is secured, loosely onto the original hardwood haft handle which is artfully hand hewn and carved. The haft shows a wide top which is carved with a step ring about two and half inches from the bottom of the eyelet hole and holds nine solid brass square shank early trade tacks. Below the eyelet hole the handle is strip hewn with a slightly octagonal feel to the surface. Explorer Karl Bodmer documented early examples of this style of war club in his paintings published in the McKinney & Hall books such as Bodmer’s 1834 painting of Minnetare Chief Addih-Hiddish holding his Missouri War Axe. The term "Missouri War Axe" was coined by American Indian weapons collectors to describe this particular style of tomahawk. They were first discovered by Lewis & Clark on their 1804-1805 expedition financed by Thomas Jefferson, which sent them exploring up the upper Missouri River basin. Meriwether Lewis wrote about these weapons and sketched one in his journal, stating that the local Indians were fervently requesting the expedition blacksmith to make additional examples for them. He went as far as to state that it was the only item the Indians were willing to trade corn, grain and other expedition necessities for and that manufacture and trade of additional axes is what solely got the explorers through the winter of 1805. The old hardwood haft has a nice mellow patina from much age and use with a particular dark coloring near the gripping area, consistent with use. Closer examination of the tomahawk axe head shows signs of blacksmith forge folds, voids and hammer marks along with heavy wear, pitting and corrosion with a nice mellow coloring from honest age. The hallmark or makers mark on the blade shows a clear round circle pressed deep into the iron with an “A” or arrow head at the center with cross hatching at the outside edges, which could possibly be letters and is accompanied by the MJC letters. Some of the documented blacksmith makers of Missouri War Axes include St. Louis blacksmith Henri Papin, Dunlop & Fleur, Holtzappfel & Co. England (makers mark British Ordnance mark of the broad arrow and letters BO). Measures overall 20.5"L with a axe head that is 8 5/8"L by 4 1/8" across the edge of the blade. References: "American Indian Tomahawks" (1965) by Harold Peterson "Indian Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes" (1995) by Daniel Hartzler & James Knowles "Tomahawks & Pipe Axes of the American Frontier" (1995) by John Baldwin "Indian War Clubs of the American Frontier" (2001) by John Baldwin
North American Auction Company is proud to announce the opening of our new in-house, full-service shipping department. We have listened to you the customer and will now be handling all outgoing packages in our new shipping department. We are confident this new offering will allow for a smooth transition from auction block to your front step. We have partnered with preferred carriers to ensure a safe, efficient delivery that works best with your schedule. Please allow 14-21 days after complete invoice payment is made to package and ship your purchase. After you are notified of your winning bids from our company and your item invoice is paid in full our new shipping department will contact you. Make sure when signing up with our company that your preferred shipping information is up to date as this information will be used to estimate shipping cost. Once the items have been packaged our team will contact you for shipping payment. Shipping invoices and payment will be completely separately than the items invoice. Please notify the shipping department with any alternate request or instructions at mark@northamericanauctioncompany.com or 800-686-4216 ext. 3. For a shipping quote please contact the same information above. PLEASE NOTE a shipping quote price can fluctuate in price. Auction company is not responsible for actual shipping cost being higher than quoted shipping cost. Thank you for trusting North American Auction Co. with your bids and shipping. As our shipping department is brand new please understand that delays can be expected.