Huron and Iroquois ball clubs

[dakary]

Hi everybody,

I'm wondering if anybody could point me in two directions.

First is just a decent beginner's resource for ball clubs (those used by the Huron and Iroquois in particular). I'm mainly looking for information on different designs, materials/decoration used, symbology, etc.

Second is about replicas. There seem to be two hurdles here - they seem to be either extremely expensive (like Albion sword expensive...for a wooden club), or cheap (and often made out of crappy wood). Is there no middle ground here?

Thanks!

[G. Mansfield]

Hi Dakary,

In the book, Native American Weapons, there is a section in Chapter Two, Striking Weapons, which covers a few pages on different types of war clubs, i.e. stone, wooden, war clubs. Though not too specific, you may find it helpful in getting a basic overview of ball clubs. The book also includes, axes, spears, daggers, bows, ceremonial items, decorations, ect. throughout North America. This small book can easily found and purchased online for around $25. Hope this helps!

Taylor, Colin F. Native American Weapons. University of Oklahoma Press, 2008

Regards,
Geoff

[Tim Simmons]

Amnh data base. Is a good place for research also The museum of American Indian data base.

https://www.amnh.org/research/anthropology/collections

https://americanindian.si.edu/explore/collections/search

[dakary]

This is great information. Thank you very much! I can't wait to dig in!

[Peter B.]

Hello Dakary,

in these books of the Osprey Men-at-Arms series you will find some nice illustrations of Native American warriors with different clubs (and lots of information about culture and history):

- Indian Tribes of the New England Frontier
- Tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy
- American Woodland Indians

(all by Michael Johnson)

[dakary]

Thanks Peter. I should have thought about that myself. I have tons of Osprey books and I really like them. I'm sure the ones you cite are great! I've already ordered a copy Taylor's Native American Weapons. I regularly put in Osprey orders and I just might have to add to the next order!