This is an unusual Improved Order of Red Men “Tote” hammer poll tomahawk dating from the late 19th to early 20th Century. The piece shows a cast brass head with small crescent curved blade having the official Order of Red Men seal on the right side of the blade and a smooth eyelet with round eye along with having a square hammer poll being slightly curved towards the rear and a rounded ball at the end. The head is secured to the haft with a single iron pin and brass uniform button at the eyelet hole. The haft is comprised of a brand with bark on having a slight curve, three cuts on the belly just behind the head, spotted engraving at the carved ridge pommel and pierced hole which holds an Indian hide wrist throng. The Improved Order of the Red Men is a fraternal organization that is still in operation today and claims to be the oldest operating secret society in America with roots in the Sons of Liberty and Sons of St. Tamina. The order was founded in 1834 in Baltimore, Maryland with its rituals and regalia modeled after those used by Native American peoples in the Boston Tea Party. Notable members include Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Harding and others. This example is engraved with the groups seal of the American Eagle spread winged grasping in its claws the olive branch and three arrows with an oval shield at its breast being marked “TOTE”. Tote was the once secret symbol and stands for “Totem of the Eagle” was the groups secret password. Being a hammer poll it is said that it was used as a gavel for order meetings by the originations “sachems” or leading officer during ceremonies. Provenance: From a historic Eastern Montana American Indian Collection, where the piece was found to be an authentic original, one of the finest collections of American Indian weaponry and antiquities in Montana. Measures 17”L with a head that is 5”L with a 2.5”W blade.