Battle axe?

mep4888 · Jun 3, 2013

Found this at a very old site today, never seen an axe like this, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tnmountains · Jun 4, 2013

Before you decide to start cleaning and soaking in ACV check out this article on that style of axe. Nice find sir!

Page 3 Spike Tomahawks

CoilyGirl · Jun 4, 2013

That is awesome!

The Patriot · Jun 4, 2013

I found a very similar one but in rougher shape...the guy at the museum called mine a French boarding axe which makes sense since I found it at a early 1700s French site....banner find!

Walk the dog · Jun 4, 2013

Erik in NJ · Jun 4, 2013

Tnmountains said:
Before you decide to start cleaning and soaking in ACV check out this article on that style of axe. Nice find sir!

Page 3 Spike Tomahawks

I agree with Tnmountains.......Please do not clean it!

mustangpalmer1911 · Jun 4, 2013

Sweet find! Congrats.

BuckleBoy · Jun 6, 2013

I would certainly find a way to stop the rusting process.

This is a banner find that won't make banner. Because it is iron.

Oh well! We ALL know that it is First Rate.

Congrats,

Buck

Roger Mn. · Jun 6, 2013

Your axe looks like the one here.

Page 4 More Spike Tomahawks

gunsil · Jun 6, 2013

Let's see the top view so we can see the hole for the handle.

Metal Magnet · Jun 6, 2013

very nice find. im voting banner.

The Patriot · Jun 6, 2013

Just looked on your link... the real rusty one is me holding the one I found at an early french site...forgot about that site...
thanks for the link...

Tnmountains said:
Before you decide to start cleaning and soaking in ACV check out this article on that style of axe. Nice find sir!

Page 3 Spike Tomahawks

mep4888 · Jun 6, 2013

Thanks for all the banner votes guys. Here's some pictures of the eyelet for the handle. I've been in contact with a conservationist at the nys museum in albany. How rare is it find one of these? I've found two Washington inaugural buttons which I know are rare, but I've gotten a lot more feedback on this item. Is it the subject matter, being American Indian? Thanks

The Patriot · Jun 6, 2013

Well I can personally tell you they are rare to find and I know only of one other here in Canada that was found and that one is questionable by the museum as it was found in a old home and may be a later reproduction... So rare like hen teeth here...

Tnmountains · Jun 6, 2013

Yours is in really good shape. Thing is you may never get a positive I.D and if it was cleaned it might have a makers mark . Here is a trade axe pretty far gone from a site that was raided and they auctioned all the goods in 1779. I found it less than a block from the actual raided Indian site. It is just dipped in Polyurethane. It will never be any more than it is which is not much. You may want to consider electrolysis if you have a set up. I cleaned a giant orange mass and ended up with a nice hatchet with maker marks. Apple cider vinegar in my opinion is pretty nasty stuff long wait and I have trouble with flash rust when drying it out.
At least you can get a positive ID. I also think some old iron would look great on top.
Here is the one just cleaned and dipped in poly. I think yours deserves better than this.

mep4888 · Jul 5, 2013

UPDATE.... Spike tomahawk, sent this out to mark miller, a tomahawk expert and has a great web page about axes, tomahawks and early trade items. I can't recommend him enough. He did an excellent job of conserving it and get me a coa which was very informative. I will warn you that he does NOT charge enough for his expertise. Thank all of you that make up a community that make treasurenet so great.

Tnmountains · Jul 5, 2013

I am having a hard time reading the COA. Is there any way you can give a brief over view? I have enjoyed watching this find.......

Birky · Jul 5, 2013

Congrats,That is an awesome find!

I would be tickled to death if I dug one of those :icon_thumright:

HH,
Chris

mep4888 · Jul 5, 2013

Sorry my ipad doesn't take the best photos. 1750-1780 iriquois, probably Mohawk. Mostly found western ny but could easily been traded into the area I am in (30 miles east of albany right on the mass line) the area I am in was traveled greatly by Indians because of fort albany. Where I live used to be the main turnpike between albany and Boston. The coa tells measurements, angles and value.

monsterrack · Jul 5, 2013

It is a trade hawk, I belive of French origin. It is a banner find for sure :notworthy:

Tnmountains · Jul 5, 2013

mep4888 said:
Sorry my ipad doesn't take the best photos. 1750-1780 iriquois, probably Mohawk. Mostly found western ny but could easily been traded into the area I am in (30 miles east of albany right on the mass line) the area I am in was traveled greatly by Indians because of fort albany. Where I live used to be the main turnpike between albany and Boston. The coa tells measurements, angles and value.

They are a rare item and hard to identify. You did well with the COA. May I ask what was the value for a dug artifact?