Original Revolutionary War Military Belt & Bag Axe Tomahawk * For Sale

Original Revolutionary War Military Belt & Bag Axe Tomahawk *
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Original Revolutionary War Military Belt & Bag Axe Tomahawk *:
$195.00

This is an original tomahawk made 1760-75 in as-found unused condition.  It has not been cleaned or sharpened.  It is not a reproduction or copy.


Small axes like this were carried by 18th century colonial American farmers, militia, trappers, and Native Americans as tools and weapons.  In the 1750\'s newly formed British Light Infantry units in colonial America were issued belt axes, carried below the bayonet scabbard on cross belts, replacing a sword, or in their packs.  American patriots often carried them, having discovered their usefulness for fighting in wilderness areas during the French and Indian (Seven Years 1756-63) and Revolutionary Wars (1775-83).  


I located a very small cache of antique military type tomahawks in centuries old storage in an old part of the United Kingdom.  They remained from an over-run, unfulfilled or canceled 18th century supply order from British colonial merchants in America prior to the Revolution in 1775.  British colonial trade in that part of its kingdom with North America began in 1600 with the British East India Company.  By the mid-1750\'s, there was huge demand for tools and weapons in colonial America.


These were hand forged in the 18th century with a beautiful age darkened rosewood 16\" hand carved flat handle (for belt carry) and exactly the same in construction and form as  products from the Philip Skene Foundry in colonial New York State, as well as other colonial merchants.   Skene was a Scottish officer in the British army stationed in colonial America during the French & Indian (Seven Years) Wars, then became a prosperous merchant, owning a sawmill, iron foundry, and most of the property in his small town in upstate New York.  At the start of the Revolutionary War, he lost his assets and returned to England in 1777.  He purchased a Colonels rank, and served as aide to British General Burgoyne through the war.  Skene supplied weapons like this, spike tomahawks, axes, cannonballs, and other forged products to the British and to colonial militias from 1759 until 1776.


An axe of the exact same type was found in the archaeology of VA ship Dragon 1777-80), sunk by traitor Benedict Arnold\'s British troops.  That one was attributed to the Zane foundry in Frederick County VA.  


After collecting and studying 18th century blades for many years, I believe it is accurate to state that these type of axe heads were sold all over colonial North America just prior to the Revolution in 1775.  Handles were locally fitted, it seems.  Manufacture of these axes stopped about that time because of import and sales restrictions on British merchants in America at the start of hostilities that year.  As happened to Skene, their assets were seized by local colonial American Revolutionary governments.  These were part of the inventory that belonged to the maker at that time.  These are mid-1700\'s axes and handles destined for colonial America.  You will receive the item photographed for this listing.  These are real pieces of 18th century world and  colonial America era history. 


The original antique 4 1/2\" long head is a duplicate of known 18th century Skene (NY) and the Zane (VA) foundry  tomahawk heads.  It has not been cleaned or sharpened and is coated in its original old grease.


 To further support my research, you can \"Google\" Philip Skene tomahawk for more photo images and information on this enterprising Revolutionary War Loyalist, merchant, and soldier.


The original rosewood handle is soaked in old grease with some staining. I recommend Kramer\'s Best Antique Improver if you care to restore it.


The last photos show similar axes from various colonial American foundries in my collection..


Please study the photos carefully for visible condition.  Because of the risks of loss or damage I do not accept returns on one of a kind artifacts like this.  I do stand behind the originality and authenticity of my items if you contact me directly.


I will supply a signed Letter Of Authenticity with each purchase.  Enjoy the photos and thank you.

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