This is one of the single best double batwing tomahawk that has been offered on the public market with wonderful provenance. The piece dates to circa 1870 and is attributed to the Cheyenne Indian of Wyoming. The tomahawk was collected by Dewey Peterson in 1910, and later donated to the Dakota Frontier Museum in South Dakota. After the museum closed, it was sold in a de-accession sale in Mitchell, South Dakota to collector Brian Williamson of Sioux Falls. Williamson later sold the piece to Ohio collector Gary Henderson. The piece exhibits a hand-forged iron classic Indian Wars Period western head with nice medium-large triangle wide blade with two rare cut outs in the center of the blade that collectors of Native American weaponry refer to as “batwing cut outs”. The blade has a small rear facing spur, as well as forged moldings with an incredibly unique octagon like eye / eyelet hole with a slender vase shape pipe bowl atop, which was forged from a musket rifle barrel showing the hand cut rifling inside. The bowl has a outward tapering body and two prominent forged rings atop a tapering neck and chevrons. The haft handle is ash wood and is elaborately decorated with extensive hot file brandings up and down its entire length. The piece shows a deep, shiny patina throughout. There are a few rows of old brass trade tacks and shows a beautifully beaded drop tied onto the bottom. The drop itself measures 24 inches long by itself and is a late 19th Century example, possibly early 1900’s a likely later addition that dresses up the tomahawk nicely. The haft and blade exhibit some minor nicks and expected wear from true age and use. Truly an outstanding and attractive, authentic Indian Wars period example with scarce double batwing cut outs. Provenance: From the ex-Peterson, Dakota Frontier Museum, Williamson, Gary Henderson collections. The head measures 9 ¾ inches long and 4 inches wide across the bottom of the blade.