Spike Tomahawks

M ELEY · 22nd July 2023, 04:03 AM

Sorry. I missed your response earlier. On the haft on my example, I feel that it is fairly contemporary or at least an early replacement. I confess I've studied the heads of these axes for a while, but know very little on the particular woods used for the hafts. For instance, I was convinced a pike I own had a shaft of wormy ash based on the tiny larva holes...until I learned that there is also wormy oak, wormy elm, etc. Dope! That being said, your haft does seem to reflect some age, perhaps replaced around the turn of the last century. I've read that soem of these axes were taken by Native Americans serving in WWI to act as trench axes, so hafts were sometimes replaced specifically for that period.

mgolab · 23rd July 2023, 01:58 AM

Thank you again M Eley for your very informative response.

Another one of my axes has been intriguing me...I have posted pics. This axe is clearly in the halberd form, 15 inches overall and 7 inches from blade to hook. It is nickel plated but appears forged sheet iron underneath, 1/8 inch thick. Very similar in dimensions, form and sheet metal to one on the trade axe and tomahawk collector's association website, page one.

Clearly marked Order of Red Men, June 1910. However, when I contacted the improved order of red men museum, I was told that the origin of the axe was a mystery to them and not an official order of red men piece.

I wonder if this is an older piece later used by the order of red men in 1910...

Thanks for any comments

David · 23rd July 2023, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgolab

Thank you again M Eley for your very informative response.

Another one of my axes has been intriguing me...I have posted pics. This axe is clearly in the halberd form, 15 inches overall and 7 inches from blade to hook. It is nickel plated but appears forged sheet iron underneath, 1/8 inch thick. Very similar in dimensions, form and sheet metal to one on the trade axe and tomahawk collector's association website, page one.

Clearly marked Order of Red Men, June 1910. However, when I contacted the improved order of red men museum, I was told that the origin of the axe was a mystery to them and not an official order of red men piece.

I wonder if this is an older piece later used by the order of red men in 1910...

Thanks for any comments

Mgolab, we recently discussed this ceremonial axe in the Miscellaneous Forum. I doubt you will get more info on it in this thread. This axe is in no way related to the practical examples that you started this thread with. And since you have been to the actual authorities on these Red Men artifacts i doubt you find any further info on this on this thread.
http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28959

mgolab · 23rd July 2023, 02:33 AM

Also, I wanted to add re: the halberd ax that I just posted:

the IORM museum also indicated that most of their official pieces were cast,with lettering. In some instances, the lodges would acquire older pieces where the lettering was stamped into the ax, such as this one which I own.

My ax comes from the Harrisburg, PA area.

Thanks again

23rd July 2023, 01:58 AM	#2
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 52	Thank you again M Eley for your very informative response. Another one of my axes has been intriguing me...I have posted pics. This axe is clearly in the halberd form, 15 inches overall and 7 inches from blade to hook. It is nickel plated but appears forged sheet iron underneath, 1/8 inch thick. Very similar in dimensions, form and sheet metal to one on the trade axe and tomahawk collector's association website, page one. Clearly marked Order of Red Men, June 1910. However, when I contacted the improved order of red men museum, I was told that the origin of the axe was a mystery to them and not an official order of red men piece. I wonder if this is an older piece later used by the order of red men in 1910... Thanks for any comments Attached Images

22nd July 2023, 04:03 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Sorry. I missed your response earlier. On the haft on my example, I feel that it is fairly contemporary or at least an early replacement. I confess I've studied the heads of these axes for a while, but know very little on the particular woods used for the hafts. For instance, I was convinced a pike I own had a shaft of wormy ash based on the tiny larva holes...until I learned that there is also wormy oak, wormy elm, etc. Dope! That being said, your haft does seem to reflect some age, perhaps replaced around the turn of the last century. I've read that soem of these axes were taken by Native Americans serving in WWI to act as trench axes, so hafts were sometimes replaced specifically for that period.

23rd July 2023, 02:33 AM	#4
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 52	Also, I wanted to add re: the halberd ax that I just posted: the IORM museum also indicated that most of their official pieces were cast,with lettering. In some instances, the lodges would acquire older pieces where the lettering was stamped into the ax, such as this one which I own. My ax comes from the Harrisburg, PA area. Thanks again