z Sold ~ Original Wisconsin Tomahawk

This is a belt axe with period handle. These small axes are called 'belt axes' because of their small size, light weight and flat hammer polls which could be used as general purpose tools, such as. sectioning a deer carcass and pounding in trap stakes, or as weapons & they are easily carried on a belt. This Tomahawk was as found along the Wisconsin River near the town of Muscoda Wisconsin about 40 miles east of the major fur trade village of Prairie du Chien Wisconsin. It has been in the possession of a Prairie du Chien family for many years until just recently. It weighs a grand total of 1 pound 8 ounces. The head measures 4 1/2" x 3 3/4" wide cutting edge. Overall length with handle is 15 1/2" long. Very unusual to collect one with a period handle. By the way, one reason why I do not say original handle is because for one thing the trade axes/tomahawks never came with handles at all and the buyer was expected to whittle his own. If it did originally come with a handle it would be impossible to prove that it was not a slightly later replacement since handles were often worn out before the blade. So using the word 'period' handle tends to describe it more accurately.