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LOT 3080
American Rifleman’s Belt Axe - As the American frontier pushed farther west from the late 18th to early 19th century, these
small multipurpose axes became a staple of the equipment carried by both civilians and military. Though not large enough for heavy woodcutting, they were a sufficient
utilitarian tool for most camp related tasks, as well as making a fine hand to hand weapon should the discharging of a firelock fail to ward off an attacker. They are typically smaller and lighter than hand axes, yet styled more like a woodland tool than their weapon-like tomahawk counterparts. Most of these scarce small axes consist of either just the axe head or have a replaced handle. This axe still has the original black paint or dried grease on the head and hasn’t been reworked. 12 3/4 inches from the end of the candy striped handle to the head and a 5 inch long iron head with a 1 7/8 inch wide edge. CONDITION: Very good, attractively aged with the loosely fitted head showing mostly a dark brown-black patina with bright areas near the edge. The handle is also very good showing a moderate warp and a some hairline age cracking. An indispensable frontier tool and weapon! Estimate: 3,000 - 7,000
LOT 3081
Rare Documented 18th Century French Trade Attributed Brass Pipe Tomahawk - These scarce tomahawks were a popular trade item amongst Native Americans due to their attractive color and non- corrosive properties, and
were produced by both the French and British throughout the mid to late 18th century. They are relatively scarce now due to the brass heads not being as durable as iron. Many examples of trade good ledgers of the time show these brass pipe tomahawks being worth approximately twice as much as their iron counterparts. This specific example is pictured on p. 170 of “Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersmen Belt Axes” by Hartzler and Knowles, where it is described as being of French origin and that it was found in New York. The head of this example
is somewhat crude in comparison to
other French examples, reminiscent of a trade good. The head is approximately 6 inches long including the bowl with a 2 inch wide edge. The ash handle is a deep brown-red color, a brass ferrule with serrated edge at the bottom, with bone mouth piece at the bottom and plug at the top. CONDITION: Fine, showing mostly an attractive aged patina on the brass as well as the typical marks of a frontier used tomahawk. The handle is also fine with scattered minor scratches attributed to period use. A rare piece from the early fur trade era of North America. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3082
Art DeCamp Reproduction Tansel Black Hawk War Powder Horn with Quilled Strap by Lally House - This highly attractive horn was handcrafted by horner Art DeCamp of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in 2008. It features a Native American warrior with a bow under “BLACK HAWK” in a banner, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in another banner, an eagle attacking an animal, a pair of deer, and a dog as well as a variety of decorative motifs. The spout is stepped and shaped like a nice serpent or fish’s mouth and has “teeth” cut along the edge and nicely turned shaping towards the spout tip. The brain tanned deerskin and fabric strap is decorated with porcupine quills and moose hair and was done by Lally House specifically for this horn based on the mid-18th century Eastern Woodland style and is done with natural dyes. A small display stand and documentation about the origin of the horn and strap are included. CONDITION: Very fine. The horn and strap have only minor handling and storage wear and have a very authentic antique appearance overall. Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900
LOT 3083
Grouping of Unique American Frontier/ Longrifle Accessories - The grouping includes a carved soap stone ball mold with nine cavities to cast approximately .50 caliber balls (balls cast and stuck inside and nine additional balls) with some similar examples being attributed as Berber made, two lightly decorated hand-forged flint strikers, three carved antler powder measures, and a small antler handled patch knife. CONDITION: The items are all very good or better with some showing some moderate age related patina and wear. An exceptional grouping to pair with a traditional American longrifle! Estimate: 1,100 - 1,600
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