Welcome!
» Log In
» Create A New Profile
Indian Tomahawk ???
Posted by Elbert
This forum is currently read only. You can not log in or make any changes. This is a temporary situation.
|
Indian Tomahawk ??? April 12, 2014 05:23AM |
Reference my original post titled "Very old roofing Hammer/Hatchet"
Attached is reference material from two sites. One from " Texas A&M" and the other from" Fur Trade Axes and Tomahawks".
I first thought the item I dug was a very old roofing hammer/hatchet but as I researched further I started to change my mind that it was a roofing hammer/ hatchet. I then started thinking it was a Lathing Hatchet but realized that was an error also because the size of the striking surface was too small. The item I dug has a striking surface that is 1/2" octagonal and does not have a nail pulling groove. The Taxes A & M report(page 60 & 61) indicates the striking surface of a Lathing Hatchet to be 1 1/8" and 1 1/2 " octagonal. It then made since to me that it would be very difficult to consistently hit a nail with a 1/2 " striking surface. I have a hard enough time now with a regular hammer.
The item I found very much resembles a Blacksmiths Flattie or Flatter tool but except for the very large striking surface. I point this tool out because of the way it was top rodded by use of a withe.
Somewhere along the line in my research a tomahawk came up. I can't remember what it was. Maybe something I read or saw.
At this time I am inclined to believe the item I dug is an Indian Tomahawk.
I contacted Mark Miller of the "Fur Trade Axes & Tomahawk" site to verify the longer item in the fifth picture of page 13 of his site was a tomahawk. He said it was and called it a Top Polled Hammer Tomahawk. I believe this tomahawk was rodded with a withe type handle.
To further make me believe this is a tomahawk is because it was dug at a site that was along a well traveled trail used by settlers, Indians, etc. Indians from the central California counties (King, Kern, etc.) would travel this trail to raid the Ranchos in the counties (Monterey, Santa Clara, etc.) of the Central Coast of California.
I sure would appreciate if someone could correct me if my assumption is incorrect.
Thanks for viewing.
El
[anthropology.tamu.edu]
[furtradetomahawks.tripod.com]
Attached is reference material from two sites. One from " Texas A&M" and the other from" Fur Trade Axes and Tomahawks".
I first thought the item I dug was a very old roofing hammer/hatchet but as I researched further I started to change my mind that it was a roofing hammer/ hatchet. I then started thinking it was a Lathing Hatchet but realized that was an error also because the size of the striking surface was too small. The item I dug has a striking surface that is 1/2" octagonal and does not have a nail pulling groove. The Taxes A & M report(page 60 & 61) indicates the striking surface of a Lathing Hatchet to be 1 1/8" and 1 1/2 " octagonal. It then made since to me that it would be very difficult to consistently hit a nail with a 1/2 " striking surface. I have a hard enough time now with a regular hammer.
The item I found very much resembles a Blacksmiths Flattie or Flatter tool but except for the very large striking surface. I point this tool out because of the way it was top rodded by use of a withe.
Somewhere along the line in my research a tomahawk came up. I can't remember what it was. Maybe something I read or saw.
At this time I am inclined to believe the item I dug is an Indian Tomahawk.
I contacted Mark Miller of the "Fur Trade Axes & Tomahawk" site to verify the longer item in the fifth picture of page 13 of his site was a tomahawk. He said it was and called it a Top Polled Hammer Tomahawk. I believe this tomahawk was rodded with a withe type handle.
To further make me believe this is a tomahawk is because it was dug at a site that was along a well traveled trail used by settlers, Indians, etc. Indians from the central California counties (King, Kern, etc.) would travel this trail to raid the Ranchos in the counties (Monterey, Santa Clara, etc.) of the Central Coast of California.
I sure would appreciate if someone could correct me if my assumption is incorrect.
Thanks for viewing.
El
[anthropology.tamu.edu]
[furtradetomahawks.tripod.com]
|
Re: Indian Tomahawk ??? April 12, 2014 11:51PM |
