That 'Axes and Tomahawks' article was from the MFTQ 1979:15(1) 7-11 and it notes that among other things:
1) Collins and Co started producing axes in 1826.
2) Chouteau and Co and AFC ordered 'cast steel axes' from Miles Standish in 1 1/2, 1 3/4, 2, 2 1/2, 3, 4, and 5 lb sizes in 1836 and 1839.
3) The cast steel eared half ax shown in the Mtnman Sketchbook is also pictured in this article with the note that it was carried by a scout in KS in the 1860's and was made by C. Hammond of Philly who was in operation from at least 1847.
4) 'Squaw axes' were a stand-by of the NDN trade well into the 1860's and were ordered in large numbers by the Office of Indian Trade (later the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the War Dept.) and the fur trading companies.
Sean
Sean Kyle <neotoma_mexicana@???> wrote: Fellas,
Relatively new to the list here. Been on it a couple weeks and have enjoyed your e-mails.
As far as the axes go. These fellas are right to steer you towards a poled ax. Much more useful for everything but throwing, and likely more correct for western fur trappers. There's an old article in the Museum of the Fur Trade that Hanson did called 'Axes and Tomahawks' that is a good resource on this. You can find it on their web page and either throw them a few bucks for a back issue (and a good cause) or try to request it on interlibrary loan. Polled hatchets or half axes seemed to predominate for trappers and even later on for NDNZ. Tomahawks or as they were called in period trade lists, squaw axes, were apparently mostly for the NDN trade. Some had ears, some didn't. Some were forged and some were actually cast. I think that article documents cast half axes coming from Standish or Collins and going to AFC or the War Dept. as early as 1834. I'll check the source tonight for exact details. What they've said about straight handles is also true. Curved ones
didn't come into fashion until around the Civil War or so.
Sean Kyle
Christopher Ferguson wrote: Well put Wynn...
If you're (Jim) looking for a rendezvous toy then buy a cast steel
throwing 'hawk from Track of the Wolf or similar sources everywhere...
but if it's a historical tool you're after my previous descriptions
and cautions are generally on the mark. I've never owned a throwing
'hawk and never will... for me such things are the very reasons I've
consistently avoided the rendezvous scene altogether...
Christopher Ferguson
On Mar 18, 2008, at 2:02 PM, Wynn wrote:
>
>
> >
> > > I'm looking for recommendations on where to get a PC
> > > tomahawk. Any good (or bad) experiences I can learn
> > > from? Any suggestions on what to be looking for?
> > Thanks in advance! >
> > > Jim Ridolfi
> > >
>
> Do you want to throw it at a log or use it to pound a wood stake to
> hold a beaver like a trapper?
>
> Of course I am stearing your mind to think that an ax is more likely
> equipment than a tomahawk for the typical RMFT.
>
> Wynn
>
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