A Questionable Native American Club

[Jim McDougall]

Aside from the consensus of the probable reproduction status of this item, and from I've seen even well made reproduction stuff can get some pretty unbelievable returns, I'd like to look at some history on these.

The ballhead club seems to have been an Iroquian innovation, probably evolving out of much more primitive weapons of course (at least I spared you guys the 'then the earth cooled part') . From what I understand, the word tomahawk actually initially referred to clubs like these. Typically these were burlwood, often from saplings near streams, and the haft and ball often carved and decorated, but most typically did not have spikes. These were blunt force weapons initially, but at some point these seem to have been added. The clubs were noted from early 17th century and by 18th century this form as well as the 'gunstock' type were in use in the woodlands in the East.

Since early type weapons, including stone head clubs were in use often concurrently with these developing types, it seems probable that antlers may have served as a penetrating element before any iron spikes were used. As these tribes moved westward into the Plains, the acquisition of European metalwork became incorporated into the weapons designs. It seems that by the time these gunstock and ballhead type clubs came into Plains use, many of them did carry blades in the striking area, sometimes from knife blades or parts of European weapons (some of the 'spikes' seem almost like the protrusions off European spontoons). The Native American tribes, although they did have certain skills with copper, were not ironworkers, so would have used various items either captured, traded or found.

These club type weapons were often not only carved with totemic or clan themes or zoomorphic features, but often colorfully painted. It is believed by many that some of the systematic decoration such as bands or crosses were actually tally numbers.
While it is known that blood obviously would permeate wood material, and probably remain in some traceable characteristic, it should be remembered that similar staining or discoloration may be from the paint used in the decoration of these weapons.

Although I am not speaking to the authenticity or otherwise of this particular item, I wanted to add some historical context and perspective.

The attached is a reproduction said to be modelled on a Sauk/Fox (East Michigan areas) type from mid 18th c. The gunstock type club seems to have come in around earlier 18th, and the description was used by colonists, these were not made from gunstocks! and not modelled on them, as I was once told by Norm Flayderman. I sort of went berserk after seeing "the Last of the Mohicans" researching these!! Talked to the guy in Tennessee who made the examples for the movie, and said there were five made if I recall.

The other example (bottom right) is from the original auction link, and the weapon we are discussing.