Lot 100

High Quality Early Presentation Inscribed Pipe Tomahawk

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High Quality Early Presentation Inscribed Pipe Tomahawk

Estimate: $10,000 - $18,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

High Quality Early Presentation Inscribed Pipe Tomahawk The pipe tomahawk or "smoak tomahawk" was a popular trade item on the American frontier from the 18th century through the end of the 19th century and remains one of the most iconic artifacts in American history. They are directly tied to the complex alliances and treaties forged between Native Americans, the British, the French, and later the United States in the struggles for control of North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Smoking a pipe and "burying the hatchet" both represented peace making tomahawks particularly suitable for presentation when making treaties or alliances with Native Americans, and the popularity of pipe tomahawks is known to have accelerated in the mid-18th century during the French & Indian War as both the British and French courted powerful Native American allies. This example features a 7 1/4 inch long head with 3 1/4 inch edge. The head has fine border and foliate details and is inscribed: "This Tomahawk was presented by/the French to a Chief of the Delawares/about 1660 and by him given to De Bou of Greenwood Lake and by/his family to Benj. Jackson 1814/and now 1865 in possession of his/Grandson G. W. Hunt." The tomahawk is 13 5/8 inches in overall length, including the brass stem and lead top cap. The handle also has a silver man in the moon inlay on the right and left. The inscription indicates this tomahawk was a treasured family heirloom. Greenwood Lake is located on the New York and New Jersey state line. The identities of the Delaware chief and De Bou are unknown, but we located records for Benjamin Jackson (1753-1824) of Strafford, New Hampshire, and Warwick, New York, who was the father of Abigail Jackson Hunt (1779-1850) and the grandfather of Gilbert W. Hunt (1806-1887) of Brooklyn, New York. An 1855 Census record lists him as a tobacconist, a fitting man to own a "smoak tomahawk". It is possible Hunt misremembered/recorded the origin date as 1660 instead of 1760 given that estimates regarding the first use of pipe tomahawks vary but typically settle around 1700-1750. During the French & Indian War, they became particularly popular and in various fashions continued to be frequently traded through the end of the 19th century. The Delaware, also known as the Lenape, lived along the Delaware River during the colonial era. During the French & Indian War, many Delawares sided with the French, in part due to duplicitous dealings by the Penn family, including the Walking Purchase, and the encroachment of settlers onto their lands. Delawares under Chief Shingas were notably victorious over the British under Braddock at the Battle of the Monongahela.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Provenance: A Chief of the Delawares; De Bou of Greenwood Lake; The De Bou Family; Benjamin Jackson; Gilbert W. Hunt; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Fine with an even brown patina over most surfaces with an "antiqued" brown finish on the back of blade, light oxidation on the head, distinct inscription, white oxidation on the lead, aged patina on the silver, mild wear, some dings, and strong varnish on the handle. Overall, a very attractive and fascinating tomahawk.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000