83A

Sioux Chief American Horse Gunstock War Club

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Sioux Chief American Horse Gunstock War Club
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The lot features the first of the superb well document weapons from Sioux Chief American Horse. This is a superb and rare late 19th Century Gunstock War Club Tomahawk that belonged to Sioux Chief American Horse. The piece was owned and used during the Indian Wars by Chief American Horse of the Sioux Tribe. The piece was later passed down to his son Thomas American Horse. Thomas American Horse sold this war tomahawk and the gunstock war club both to the Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation Tribal President David Long Black Cat in the 1940’s. Black Cat then later in the 1960’s sold both pieces to the very well-known Midwest collector Ben Thompson. In early 2000’s renowned collector and author John Baldwin purchased both pieces from Ben Thompson and then sold them to Mark Francis. The piece comes with a signed letter authenticated the piece and its history from both David Long Black Cat and John Baldwin along with a photo of Black Cat and Thomas American Horse together, being 90 years old at the time. This is truly an excellent opportunity to acquire an authentic, historically documented, and significant piece from the collection of some of the finest Indian Weapon’s Collectors of our time. How often does such a fantastic piece with documented history and provenance come available for sale, making this truly a rare find. From the Collections of Ben Thompson, John Baldwin, Mark Francis, American Horse, Thomas American Horse, David Long Black Cat. The tomahawk war club features a hardwood gunstock haft with chip carvings and pigment painted symbols at the top along with a serrated “staircase” bottom end. The haft also shows an elaborate artful brass tack design along with a 5 inch long hand forged trade spontoon blade inserted into the haft and held into place with melted lead. The piece measures 23.25 inches in length. The designs represent a stylized sunburst, moons, crosses, and Buffalo tracks. The club appears to show the proper signs of age and use and exhibits wonderful art appear. A similar club is pictured in the paintings from the Prince Maximillian expedition up the Missouri River basin in the Mid-19th Century. The piece also is similar to a piece offered at Cowan’s Auction from the Collection of Marvin Lince. This club shows a dark, shiny patina and the gripping area finished is faded from years of hand sweat and cornered edges rounded from palm and finger gripping. The club was truly used and comes with excellent provenance of history. Truly and excellent and historic Early Native American museum quality weapon with documentation.