How to ID this hawk...

F

former173rd

Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Messages
18
Hello to all. I would appreciate some help with the ID on this little guy. OAL is 13.5 inches with a 7" end to end blade. Nicely made, some left over nickel plating. Blade hand stamped with LEE COLEMAN. Sheath looks original to hawk. Shop owner wants $75, but a little information would sure help my decision. thanks in advance!
http://s454.photobucket.com/user/former173rd/library/hawk
 
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Well, I don't know either, but I would guess that Lee Coleman was an owner rather than a maker. First, because nobody here knows him or her, and second, because a maker might invest in a faster and neater stamping method than the letter-by letter system Lee used here.

That sort of arrow-head spike is sometimes found on hawks meant to be patterned after Roger's Rangers' hawks. You might try searching for images of RR's hawks and see how close you get.

It also resembles a tomahawk United Cutlery (I think) made many years ago. I don't have it before me, but maybe I can find it and post a pic and measurements, if it looks close.
 
Someone posted two of these recently but I can't recall the name or model. From what I remember, they go for about $100 depending on condition. This type shows up on the bay from time to time. I'm sure someone on this board knows more, but that's all I can offer for now.
 
Thanks Jumper.....I think I saw the one on ebay, but there was no mention of maker, age, etc...only had some writing peened in the blade about RVN and '69. Be kinda neat if it was a small unit issue item (but I'm dreaming).
And thank you, Porch, for the insight. Ill follow up on the RR lead, and the United Cutlery thing as well. Somehow it just doesn't smack of a forgery, but rather a small run production item.....??
 
Got it for 40....
I met a guy yesterday who used to do Lewis and Clark Trail 5 day guided trips. Being a real hawk user, he's pretty interested in seeing it, gently reminding me that it is NOT a thrower..!
 
Quick update....sort of. This guy seems to think its possibly 19th century. If so, the scabbard is not period. Wish I had a museum close by for a real appraisal (would hate to send it off). Will keep yall posted, and if you find out anything, please let me know!
 
Hello to all...
this is a response as to the hawk. I sure wish he was wrong, but I guess thats how it goes!
This spike tomahawk was made between the 1950s to the present. They have been imported from Spain, Italy, India, and made locally in North America collectors of modern weaponry or reenactors, etc. They have been sold in magazines, at pow wows and shows. There are a couple shown on the bottom of this page: http://furtradetomahawks.tripod.com/id20.html
which I recently added. They were made in molds of either cast iron or steel and usually 7” X 2” with oval eyes although some have round eyes. Many are used outdoors so they have a rusty aged look to them. Then again some deliberately try to make them look old too. Anyway, I guess this is bad news value wise, but at least you know now.
 
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