Spike Tomahawks

mgolab · 19th July 2023, 07:44 PM

thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it.

MitsuWa. · 19th July 2023, 11:40 PM

That pink stuff you saw on the ax head was bondo, polyester autobody filler. The hardware store hammer handle that is mounted on it is not original.

mgolab · 20th July 2023, 01:40 AM

Thank you.

I am not sure of handle's age. Certainly not the original but I question whether it is recent. First, it is white ash. Usually you see hickory handles nowadays, unless custom.

Also, I have attached a picture of the top. Seems somewhat earlier fitted in to me.

BBJW · 20th July 2023, 08:08 PM

Many 'spike' tomahawks are were used on sailing ships. The spike being used to pull away downed rigging.-- bbjw

M ELEY · 20th July 2023, 09:41 PM

I just wrote a long and convoluted response to this and it vanished before my eyes, so here's the short of it...

Despite the bondo, it doesn't mean this is a fake. The axe appears hand-forged, perhaps early 19th. Seems too early for mining or trench axe, not practical as a tool axe. The 'eye' is of the early pattern oval and slightly thinner on one side, indicating hand-wrought. The spike like this one found on some known native specimens (Iroquois for one). The hafts on both these axes replaced, but this is common and expected. The head pattern is post 1800 and does fall into the shape of later tool axes, but very few of those were blacksmith made. The squared slot on yours very possibly a beaver trap chain pull to prevent having to plunge one's arm into icy rivers again and again (and possibly getting bit by a muskrat or beaver).

Check out the following-
Hartzler's 'Trade Axes and Tomawks'
Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution'
the Tatca website- https://tatcalite.tripod.com/index.htm

As I stated earlier, there are a lot of fakes, so an expert would need to actually handle your 'hawks' to be sure. Check out the trade tomahawl site's list of mimics and fakes. It's enough to scare you away from collecting these!

mgolab · 20th July 2023, 10:29 PM

Thanks again for the detailed and informative response.

Iroquois Confederacy/Six Nations would make sense based on the geographic location found. Specifically, Seneca.

What is your thought on the age of the half for the small ax with long spike? I find it interesting that it is white ash. Clearly a replacement but my thought is that bears some age.

Thanks again

M ELEY · 20th July 2023, 10:43 PM

One of my recent threads with my few examples-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26553

mgolab · 21st July 2023, 01:15 PM

Yes, the website and materials are informative. I own swords and blades of the american revolution.

I have seen your prior posts and was hoping that you would provide comment/feedback! Very informative as well. Your spike tomahawk is similar.

Any thoughts on the the haft? I know it is a replacement but seems like it has some age to it.

Thanks again

20th July 2023, 01:40 AM	#3
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 52	Thank you. I am not sure of handle's age. Certainly not the original but I question whether it is recent. First, it is white ash. Usually you see hickory handles nowadays, unless custom. Also, I have attached a picture of the top. Seems somewhat earlier fitted in to me. Attached Images

20th July 2023, 09:41 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	I just wrote a long and convoluted response to this and it vanished before my eyes, so here's the short of it... Despite the bondo, it doesn't mean this is a fake. The axe appears hand-forged, perhaps early 19th. Seems too early for mining or trench axe, not practical as a tool axe. The 'eye' is of the early pattern oval and slightly thinner on one side, indicating hand-wrought. The spike like this one found on some known native specimens (Iroquois for one). The hafts on both these axes replaced, but this is common and expected. The head pattern is post 1800 and does fall into the shape of later tool axes, but very few of those were blacksmith made. The squared slot on yours very possibly a beaver trap chain pull to prevent having to plunge one's arm into icy rivers again and again (and possibly getting bit by a muskrat or beaver). Check out the following- Hartzler's 'Trade Axes and Tomawks' Neumann's 'Swords and Blades of the American Revolution' the Tatca website- https://tatcalite.tripod.com/index.htm As I stated earlier, there are a lot of fakes, so an expert would need to actually handle your 'hawks' to be sure. Check out the trade tomahawl site's list of mimics and fakes. It's enough to scare you away from collecting these! Last edited by M ELEY; 20th July 2023 at 10:40 PM.

19th July 2023, 07:44 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 52	thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it.

19th July 2023, 11:40 PM	#2
MitsuWa. Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 22	That pink stuff you saw on the ax head was bondo, polyester autobody filler. The hardware store hammer handle that is mounted on it is not original.

20th July 2023, 08:08 PM	#4
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 228	Many 'spike' tomahawks are were used on sailing ships. The spike being used to pull away downed rigging.-- bbjw

20th July 2023, 10:29 PM	#6
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 52	Thanks again for the detailed and informative response. Iroquois Confederacy/Six Nations would make sense based on the geographic location found. Specifically, Seneca. What is your thought on the age of the half for the small ax with long spike? I find it interesting that it is white ash. Clearly a replacement but my thought is that bears some age. Thanks again

20th July 2023, 10:43 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	One of my recent threads with my few examples- http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26553

21st July 2023, 01:15 PM	#8
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 52	Yes, the website and materials are informative. I own swords and blades of the american revolution. I have seen your prior posts and was hoping that you would provide comment/feedback! Very informative as well. Your spike tomahawk is similar. Any thoughts on the the haft? I know it is a replacement but seems like it has some age to it. Thanks again