The lot features a superb and rare Missouri War Axe Tomahawk attributed to the Osage Native American Indian of Oklahoma and dating to circa 1840-1850. This type of Missouri War Axe with red stroud cloth-wrapped haft is commonly seen on Otoe, Pawnee and Osage examples, including the historic example attributed to Osage Chief Bacon Rind that is in the Museum of the American Indian Heye Foundation at the Smithsonian. 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. Only a small handful of tribes were known to have used this style of tomahawk and in only one specific region. They were made in small numbers, making early surviving examples such as this extremely rare and historically important. This example shows a forged iron head measuring 8.25 inches long by 3.75 inches across the bottom of the blade. The blade shows filed or etched lines on the inner and outer upper blade edges and a pierced weeping heart at the center. The piece shows some minor oxidation from age and use. When looking at the eyelet hole, where the haft is attached, you can see where the two pieces are forged together with a seem running down the blade edge for several inches. The hard wood haft features a slant-cut bottom end, often seen on early 19th Century Missouri War axe handles and is wrapped in an old red trade stroud clothe with a few brass and iron trade tacks. The trade clothe shows a nice even worn appearance and the entire tomahawk war club has a nice patina from age and use. Provenance: The piece was purchased by noted collector Mark Francis in the early 2000‰Ûªs from dealer Jerry and Vangie Lee of the Cowboy Connection in Livingston, Montana at a Sante Fe show. The piece has been photographed in the publication book. ‰ÛÏThe Missouri War Axe: War Tomahawks of the Plains and Prairies‰Û 2010 by Mark Francis. The war club originally had a fine beaded drop with twelve hawk feathers and is pictured as such in the book, but have since been removed to comply with Federal Bird of Prey laws. The axe measures 21" long, 8 3/8" wide, and 1 3/8" thick. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer‰Ûªs responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.