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