Native American spike tomahawk, fur trade pole axes and skinning knives

M ELEY · 13th February 2023, 01:34 AM

My newest acquisition and one seeped in controversy for more than one reason.

First off, this is a ca.1830-40 cast head spike axe made in the pattern of the so-called 'Underhill Tool Company' axes ca.1840. The Underhill Tool Company was one of the earliest of the companies that used fine steel shaped and cast via triphammer processing (pre-Industrial Revolution, but definitely much faster than blacksmith-wroght pieces). This axe pattern with the pointed/pyramid shaped ears was taken from earlier trade pieces, including an Iroquois pattern. (see Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution', 55a, 56a, 27a, 29a. See also Hartzler's 'Indian Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes, pg 38\fig 5, pg 39\fig 6, pg 49\fig 36 and pg 96\fig 44 for similar triangled ears and similar heads). The oval eye on mine drilled out and the haft very possibly original.

As these were the very first commercially produced models, they were included in catalogs of the time and indeed sold to hardware stores, suttlers, tool suppliers, etc. It is noted, however, that these early pattern heads were also put on wagons and sent out to the trading posts, just like the old hand-wrought spike axes of yesteryear. Thus, we have an axe pattern that truly served both worlds (Native Americans and settlers).

M ELEY · 13th February 2023, 01:46 AM

The reasons of controversy? First off, there is a contention among tomahawk collectors. Some don't think the Underhill pattern types should constitute in the tomahawk category due to their being non-blacksmith and more pattern-made. Inclusion at local hardware stores of the era made some call foul, but the lines are very blurry in this time period. There are many later (1860's-90's) pipe tomahawks that have triphammer-made cast steel blades, but the collectors seem to have no problem with them! The nawsayers say there's no proof these spike axes were used by Native Americans! Yep, just like there is no proof that a specific spiked trade axe predating the steel types were handled by natives. Only direct provenance can prove that. That doesn't mean they weren't carried by such, it's just a 'can you prove it' moment. The fact is, hammer poles and spike tomahawks were carried by both European immigrants and Indians alike, as already said in this thread many times. The fact of the matter is, spike tomahawks were still being traded with the Indians, so this axe theoretically could have been a native axe. Or they could have been a settler's axe, soldier's axe, surveyer's axe or even belonged to a frontiersman getting ready to cross the Rockies. We simply don't know, but just because this type of axe was 'more commercial', doesn't put it out of the running for being exactly what it was called, a 'tomahawk axe'.

M ELEY · 13th February 2023, 01:59 AM

Most of the Underhill Tool Axe Company patterns were so marked, but there are other types of the exact pattern coming out during this circa 1830-40 period of the same make, but marked differently. Likewise, many are unmarked (as is mine, making me suspect it might be a little earlier and has some subtle differences from the classic Underhill). Some say the reason they are unmarked is because they were made by a generic distributor and sold to companies like Underhill for resale.

Another theory (an ominous one and the second part of the controversy) is that they were left unmarked so if any future atrocities committed against settlers with these 'scalping' axes happened, the companies who sold them would not come under fire! The reservation system had started to gear up in this period and violence against the native peoples had stirred up much anger. Attacks on settlers and townships still occurred, so one can imagine why the trading of weapons to the Indians became risque.

Did the Underhill patterns become fire hatchets and camp tools? Undoubtedly, but how can one deny that the practice of trading weapons just stopped during this period? The Underhill type is the quintessential tomahawk, stronger than many of the old iron blacksmith types. You can see where I rest on this issue! There were just way too many of this pattern early spike axe for them to have been fire hatchets. Later patterns from the 1860's onward, very possibly, but the temtation to throw a crate of these heads on a wagon and head out to the trading post to score some beaver skins was just too great!

https://landandseacollection.com/id599.html

Here is an example of a LATE spike tomahawk (1860's-70's), cast steel tool-type used by reknowned chief Good Bear of the Hunkpapa Lakota Souix with prevenance. Proof these later spike types were Indian-used.

https://www.barnebys.com/auctions/lo...870-zb7grem-1l

M ELEY · 13th February 2023, 10:08 PM

Here's the Tatca site. See near the bottom and note the straight blade on this early Underhill versus the curved edge on mine. I think mine's earlier?

https://tatcalite.tripod.com/id54.htm

Jim McDougall · 14th February 2023, 07:58 PM

This is an amazing thread Capn, and interesting, but understandable, that these kinds of tools could easily serve as weapons whether naval shipboard arms, settlers tools or indeed American Indian weapons. It has been known of course that Indian tomahawks of assorted forms were of manufacture of American or European source from the 18th c. on.

The Underhill Edge Tool Co. began in 1820s with forge on Chester Rd. near Auburn, N.H.
In 1835, they acquired mill in Auburn Village and continued forging.

In 1852, George Underhill (1815-1882) with John Guage and other investors created Nashua Edge Tool Co.

In 1879 Nashua Edge acquired Amokeag Axe. Co.

In 1890 American Axe and Tool bought Nashua Edge.
They closed Nashua plant and moved to Douglas , Mass. as Douglas Axe mfg. but continued the Underhill brand.

It sounds like UNDERHILL name as a brand was kept. through these name changes (see attached 1859 catalog, reprinted 1980 by Ken Roberts publ.)

It seems like UNDERHILL was stamped on one side of head, with AMERICAN AXE on other.
Other examples with Underhill one side, O on the other.

In a somber but intriguing note, It is said that LIZZIE BORDEN used an UNDERHILL axe in the heinous murders that she was charged with in Fall River, Mass. Aug.14,1892.

However the forensics of this murder and clouded evidence were likely the reason she was acquitted. Actually, in the basement there were two hatchets; two axes and a hatchet head with broken handle found.
While none had blood on blades, presumably the broken handle was assumed due to that use.
The first pic (a poll axe) is the one purportedly used by Lizzie.

In other literature, the axe shown with images of Lizzie is a curious spike type, but no further detail offered......curious.

M ELEY · 15th February 2023, 04:58 PM

Wow! Thank you, Jim, for this thorough information on the Underhill company and the connection with the Borden murder case, one of the most infamous in United States history! I seriously had no idea how far back the initial company existed, nor how long into the early twentieth they survived! My argument still stands that in the earlier and mid-19th, whether it was a blacksmith-wrought or trip hammer-forged spike axe, it would have been highly looked upon by native peoples. The spike tomahawk always existed as a tool/weapon in those earlier times. For those that shun the later 'hardware store' types (usually the pipe axe collectors whose taste and price range are admittedly on a far different level that the simple spikes), I'd remind that even the pipes were later cast models, many made of brass and pewter (not warrior axes by any means, but more ceremonial/hierarchy-based). Thank you again, JIm, for this archive of information, photocopied prints, etc! It really adds to the whole story of the developing axes in North America and their role in history!

13th February 2023, 01:34 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Early cast head spike tomahawk ax My newest acquisition and one seeped in controversy for more than one reason. First off, this is a ca.1830-40 cast head spike axe made in the pattern of the so-called 'Underhill Tool Company' axes ca.1840. The Underhill Tool Company was one of the earliest of the companies that used fine steel shaped and cast via triphammer processing (pre-Industrial Revolution, but definitely much faster than blacksmith-wroght pieces). This axe pattern with the pointed/pyramid shaped ears was taken from earlier trade pieces, including an Iroquois pattern. (see Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution', 55a, 56a, 27a, 29a. See also Hartzler's 'Indian Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes, pg 38\fig 5, pg 39\fig 6, pg 49\fig 36 and pg 96\fig 44 for similar triangled ears and similar heads). The oval eye on mine drilled out and the haft very possibly original. As these were the very first commercially produced models, they were included in catalogs of the time and indeed sold to hardware stores, suttlers, tool suppliers, etc. It is noted, however, that these early pattern heads were also put on wagons and sent out to the trading posts, just like the old hand-wrought spike axes of yesteryear. Thus, we have an axe pattern that truly served both worlds (Native Americans and settlers). Attached Images

13th February 2023, 01:46 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	The reasons of controversy? First off, there is a contention among tomahawk collectors. Some don't think the Underhill pattern types should constitute in the tomahawk category due to their being non-blacksmith and more pattern-made. Inclusion at local hardware stores of the era made some call foul, but the lines are very blurry in this time period. There are many later (1860's-90's) pipe tomahawks that have triphammer-made cast steel blades, but the collectors seem to have no problem with them! The nawsayers say there's no proof these spike axes were used by Native Americans! Yep, just like there is no proof that a specific spiked trade axe predating the steel types were handled by natives. Only direct provenance can prove that. That doesn't mean they weren't carried by such, it's just a 'can you prove it' moment. The fact is, hammer poles and spike tomahawks were carried by both European immigrants and Indians alike, as already said in this thread many times. The fact of the matter is, spike tomahawks were still being traded with the Indians, so this axe theoretically could have been a native axe. Or they could have been a settler's axe, soldier's axe, surveyer's axe or even belonged to a frontiersman getting ready to cross the Rockies. We simply don't know, but just because this type of axe was 'more commercial', doesn't put it out of the running for being exactly what it was called, a 'tomahawk axe'. Attached Images

13th February 2023, 01:59 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Most of the Underhill Tool Axe Company patterns were so marked, but there are other types of the exact pattern coming out during this circa 1830-40 period of the same make, but marked differently. Likewise, many are unmarked (as is mine, making me suspect it might be a little earlier and has some subtle differences from the classic Underhill). Some say the reason they are unmarked is because they were made by a generic distributor and sold to companies like Underhill for resale. Another theory (an ominous one and the second part of the controversy) is that they were left unmarked so if any future atrocities committed against settlers with these 'scalping' axes happened, the companies who sold them would not come under fire! The reservation system had started to gear up in this period and violence against the native peoples had stirred up much anger. Attacks on settlers and townships still occurred, so one can imagine why the trading of weapons to the Indians became risque. Did the Underhill patterns become fire hatchets and camp tools? Undoubtedly, but how can one deny that the practice of trading weapons just stopped during this period? The Underhill type is the quintessential tomahawk, stronger than many of the old iron blacksmith types. You can see where I rest on this issue! There were just way too many of this pattern early spike axe for them to have been fire hatchets. Later patterns from the 1860's onward, very possibly, but the temtation to throw a crate of these heads on a wagon and head out to the trading post to score some beaver skins was just too great! https://landandseacollection.com/id599.html Here is an example of a LATE spike tomahawk (1860's-70's), cast steel tool-type used by reknowned chief Good Bear of the Hunkpapa Lakota Souix with prevenance. Proof these later spike types were Indian-used. https://www.barnebys.com/auctions/lo...870-zb7grem-1l Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 13th February 2023 at 06:33 PM. Reason: Added comment

13th February 2023, 10:08 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Another reference for posterity! Here's the Tatca site. See near the bottom and note the straight blade on this early Underhill versus the curved edge on mine. I think mine's earlier? https://tatcalite.tripod.com/id54.htm Attached Images

14th February 2023, 07:58 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	This is an amazing thread Capn, and interesting, but understandable, that these kinds of tools could easily serve as weapons whether naval shipboard arms, settlers tools or indeed American Indian weapons. It has been known of course that Indian tomahawks of assorted forms were of manufacture of American or European source from the 18th c. on. The Underhill Edge Tool Co. began in 1820s with forge on Chester Rd. near Auburn, N.H. In 1835, they acquired mill in Auburn Village and continued forging. In 1852, George Underhill (1815-1882) with John Guage and other investors created Nashua Edge Tool Co. In 1879 Nashua Edge acquired Amokeag Axe. Co. In 1890 American Axe and Tool bought Nashua Edge. They closed Nashua plant and moved to Douglas , Mass. as Douglas Axe mfg. but continued the Underhill brand. It sounds like UNDERHILL name as a brand was kept. through these name changes (see attached 1859 catalog, reprinted 1980 by Ken Roberts publ.) It seems like UNDERHILL was stamped on one side of head, with AMERICAN AXE on other. Other examples with Underhill one side, O on the other. In a somber but intriguing note, It is said that LIZZIE BORDEN used an UNDERHILL axe in the heinous murders that she was charged with in Fall River, Mass. Aug.14,1892. However the forensics of this murder and clouded evidence were likely the reason she was acquitted. Actually, in the basement there were two hatchets; two axes and a hatchet head with broken handle found. While none had blood on blades, presumably the broken handle was assumed due to that use. The first pic (a poll axe) is the one purportedly used by Lizzie. In other literature, the axe shown with images of Lizzie is a curious spike type, but no further detail offered......curious. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 15th February 2023 at 01:06 AM.

15th February 2023, 04:58 PM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Wow! Thank you, Jim, for this thorough information on the Underhill company and the connection with the Borden murder case, one of the most infamous in United States history! I seriously had no idea how far back the initial company existed, nor how long into the early twentieth they survived! My argument still stands that in the earlier and mid-19th, whether it was a blacksmith-wrought or trip hammer-forged spike axe, it would have been highly looked upon by native peoples. The spike tomahawk always existed as a tool/weapon in those earlier times. For those that shun the later 'hardware store' types (usually the pipe axe collectors whose taste and price range are admittedly on a far different level that the simple spikes), I'd remind that even the pipes were later cast models, many made of brass and pewter (not warrior axes by any means, but more ceremonial/hierarchy-based). Thank you again, JIm, for this archive of information, photocopied prints, etc! It really adds to the whole story of the developing axes in North America and their role in history!