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Otoe Missouri War Axe Tomahawk c. 1840-50

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Otoe Missouri War Axe Tomahawk c. 1840-50
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This is a rare and early Missouri War Axe Tomahawk attributed to the Otoe Native American Indians of Western Iowa and dating to circa 1840-1850’s. The mid-1800’s tomahawk shows a hand forged iron head showing a pierced weeping heart and three pierced circles in the center. There are two filed lines across the top of the eye hole. The wooden haft is wrapped in old red trade stroud cloth with old brass tacks, ending in a gathered and knotted fringe drop (possibly a later addition to the piece). The piece shows wonderful condition with minor stains and wear from age and use. 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. The is a superb, rare example and was purchased by noted tomahawk collector and author Mark Francis from Mike Kokin of Sherwoods Spirt of America Gallery at the Tulsa Antique Gun and Weapons Show in 2009. Measures overall 20” in Length. The tomahawk head measures 7.25” L x 4” W across the bottom of the blade.