American Powder Horns

Iron Pipe Tomahawk – Philip Skene Foundry – 1750

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Rich

This tomahawk is believed to have been made at the Skene foundry at Skenesborough NY, along Lake Champlain, by Philip Skene, who settled there in the early 1750 time frame. It was offered to the local Iroquois as a peace treaty so Skene and his family could settle in the area and live peacefully. The pipe head, which is almost 6 inches in length, has a pierced heart in the blade, and is original. The haft was added in the early 1900’s by the owner of a private Ticonderoga museum. The piece was on display at the museum until it was purchased by James Dunn and his grand daughter, Maryann Dunn, in 1937. The Dunn collection consisted of over 1500 items from the French & Indian and Revolutionary War period. It was inherited by Maryann Dunn after his death . See supporting documents from Maryann and antique dealer, Richard Armstrong, below.

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Mohawk Indian Tomahawk – 1600 – 1700’s

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Rich

This tomahawk was made by a Mohawk Indian of the Iroquois nation during the 1600 – 1700 time frame, in the Lake Champlain area of NY. It has a 17 & 5/8 inch handle made of white oak and a 5 & 1/8 inch flat, hand forged spike sticking out of the knob head. The wood is dark brown with age and solid throughout. A small chip of wood is out at the knob where the spike is in place. This piece was picked up by Capt. Benjamin Rue on Oct. 12, 1776 after a fight with Mohawk Indians at Split Rock, during the battle of Valcour Island which took place on October 11, 1776. Rue, who commanded the Gondola Philedelphia, had just been rescued by Capt. John Davis along with 16 members of his crew. The Philadelphia was sunk during the battle. The tomahawk ended up with John Davis and remained in the possession of the Davis family for many years. It was on display at a small, private museum in Ticonderoga until it was purchased by James Dunn and his grand daughter, Maryann Dunn, in 1937. See letters below from Maryann Dunn and antique dealer, Richard Armstrong for more detail on provenance.

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Wakizashi – Mumei – 16th – 17th Century

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Rich

This Wakizashi came from a WWII veteran who brought it back from the Philippine Islands after the war. It is mounted in it’s original Edo style mounts, fully matching with wave designs on the metal parts. The Kodzuka is in excellent condition displaying birds flying over ocean waves. The saya is a black lacquer with speckles in the paint. The blade is 21 inches long along the cutting edge and has an ubu unsigned nakago showing a dark aged patina. It is in old polish and has a nice suguha hamon showing a lot of activity. The Tsuka is currently unwrapped and will be restored soon. New pictures of the wrapped handle will be updated once it is completed. The tsuba is signed with some gold and silver inlay against mountains.

The tsuba;

Kaneie 金家

Yamashiro Kuni Fushimi ju

山城国伏見住

Made by Kaneie while living (ju) in the suburb, Fushimi (suburb of Kyoto) in Yamashiro province (Kuni), Ca: 1450-1600

There are a large number of tsuba with the Yamashiro Kuni Fushimi ju Kaneie signature. They are of varying quality and period. They seem to have been made in the same workshop, as the technique is mostly the same on the various examples, such as iron on iron inlay, and the gold and silver inlay of quality and ability. There are enough variations in the signatures, that there may be be several generations or school members at work.

The school is characterized by very low relief, thin metal and scanty inlay of copper and gold.

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Wakizashi – Yokoyama Kozuke Daijō Fujiwara Sukesada – 1661

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Rich

This sword is absolutely beautiful, in full polish and displaying a large, wide Gunome temper line. It is mounted in Shirasaya with sayagaki. It has a 21 inch blade and an ubu nakago, signed on both sides; Yokoyama Kozuke Daijō Fujiwara Sukesada. Translation; Sword made by the smith Sukesada from the Fujiwara clan with the title of Kozuke Daijō from Yokoyama. The other side reads; Bishu Osafune ju . The Blade was made by the smith while living (ju) in the town of Osafune in the province of Bizen (Bishu).

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Wakizashi – Yamashiro Igo no Kami Kinmichi – 1596 – 1615

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Rich

This is a beautiful sword made in the Keicho era ( 1596 ) by Igo no kami Kinmichi in Yamashiro. He was taught the art of sword making by his father, Kanemichi of the Mishina school. It is in new polish and displays a nice gunome temper line and itame grain ( hada ). The blade measures 17 & 3/8 inches along the cutting edge ( nagasa ). The boshi is Komaru ( short turn back ) and it has a long deep Bohi on the omote and Ura sides. The tang has been shortened ( osuriage mumei ) and there is no longer a signature. The sword was awarded NTHK Kanteisho papers stating it as genuine and important work of the Kinmichi school. Pictures of the blade and a copy of the NTHK paper is shown below. The smith is listed in Hawleys as KIN43, with a rating of 80 points.

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Henry Thorn’s Horn – 1779

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Rich

This horn is beautifully carved with the owner’s name and date written in block letters within a large carved border of a scalloped design. It reads; HENRY # THORN’S HORN #1779. It also has a wonderful large labyrinth carved near the base on the obverse side and near it, a sailing ship or sloop. Also carved is a fort showing the walls and a soldier raising a sword, another soldier raising a flag and another one taking aim with his flintlock musket, at a bird in a tree, with a squirrel running near it. The base of the horn is carved all around with a scallop design as well as the upper end nearing the neck. A nice carved recess border, gives way to a long slender neck with three raised rings before the pouring spout. This is a well carved and constructed horn in excellent condition. This exact horn is pictured and described in the book; Accoutrements Vol. 1 by James R. Johnston, on page 206.

NOTE: THIS HORN WAS PREVIOUSLY LISTED AS HENRY T. HORN. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH AND FINDING IT PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN JAMES R. JOHNSTON’S BOOK, IT WAS UPDATED AND CORRECTED TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNER.

Records show that Henry was born November 17, 1759 in Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island. At the age of 17 years old, he enlisted in the 1^st Battalion of Rhode Island Troops, commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene on February 17, 1777. There are many records showing where he was on duty and his pay for each of the months he served. Henry was among the thousands of Continental troops that wintered with General George Washington at Camp Valley Forge from December, 1777 until June, 1778. He served until January 28, 1780 and was discharged at Morristown, N.J.

He married Prudence Noyes who was from Stonington, Ct., on January 20, 1785 and together they had eight children.

Henry Thorn 1759 – 1850

Posted in Powderhorns | Tagged Horn, Revolutionary War | 6 Comments

English Officers Pistol – French & Indian War period, by GRIFFIN

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Rich

This pistol was made by Griffin of London and is of the 1750’s period. The 8″ barrel has Griffin’s name and proof mark plus 2 English proofs. The brass furniture is engraved with a floral pattern on the butt cap and a snowflake pattern on the trigger guard. The lock is also marked Griffin and is still in it’s original flintlock configuration and hasn’t been fooled with in any way. The stock is in good shape except for a small period chip on the bottom of the left grip. It exhibits a period repair to a crack at the wrist, using hand made squire head nails. The fact that this was done during it’s period of use does add some charm to the gun. This is a good French & Indian War gun.

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The Jacob Kugler Horn – Rev. War

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Rich

SOLD

The Jacob Kugler horn has some nice carving and lettering, exhibiting a nice untouched patina with a light amber color. It looks like there was more carving below the name, possibly a place and date, but it was on the wear side and is no longer visible. The throat of the horn is carved in an open fish mouth design very similar to the Tansel school of carvers. Jacob Kugler, a member of the Pennsylvania Bucks County militia during the Revolutionary War, carved this horn . Jacob migrated to Ohio after the war and his family acquired a paper mill established in Loveland Ohio by John Smith in 1810. It later became the Kugler Mill and is still in operation today. This horn came from a member of the family. It measures 16 inches along the outside curve and has a 3 inch diameter butt plug which is attached to the horn with brass nails.

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Large Fort Horn – F & I War

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Rich

SOLD

This horn displays many carvings consisting of a large fort with several cannons within the walled structure. There are also several large buildings with tall spires which could be the owners rendition of the Temple of Soloman. Also on the horn there are circles with an 8 pointed star within, a circle with a pin wheel design, a face within a circle and a star of David. The base edge is engrailed and has triangular geometric designs around the base. The neck is also engrailed with circular geometric designs. The entire horn has a deep amber color, displaying a nice aged patina. The horn was worn on the right side and shows a good deal of wear on the reverse side.

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The Thomas White Horn – 1759 – 1760

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Rich

This beautiful horn is boldly carved ” Thomas White His Horn ” with two dates, 1759 and 1760. The color is a pleasing light amber and it also has nice carving around the butt end consisting of pin pricked designs and circles with a flower within. There are designs near the engrailed edge of the neck and further up is a pie crust raised ring to hold the strap in place. The horn was worn on the right side and displays the appropriate wear on the reverse side. The carved name exhibits the skill of a Lake George school carver and was probably professionally done. Some of the letters are very similar to those carved by “the JW carver” and ” John Bush ” but more research is needed to determine who made this particular horn.