From Milton von Damm Collection. "This is either a contemporary reproduction or a ceremonial hawk circa the late 1800's. The Spontoon blade is 9 1/2 inches high with a pipe bowl on top and tapers like a dag knife down to a point. There is a furl on each side just below the egg shaped eye. The pipe is not functional. the handle is 24 inches long and there are light file burns in no particular pattern along the wood. The hole in the handle for smoking extends the full length of the handle, but apparently does not turn up to connect with the pipe. Spontoon tomahawks were introduced by early French traders in New France and their design is based on early military pole weapons. As the fur trade ascended the Missouri River in the early 1800's they became fashionable among several plains tribes as ceremonial items but would have been clumsy as weapons, particularly on horseback". CONDITION: good to very good. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of author Milton Von Damm. (02-22256/JS). $600-800.