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PLAINS INDIAN WAR CLUB – EXCELLENT
PIECE FROM THE 19TH CENTURY:
While this war club reflects the classic style of those
carried by the Native American Warriors on the Northern
Plains of the 19th Century, it is
unique in that it incorporates materials the warrior
obtained from the white industrial culture. Still, very
much a lethal instrument in the hands of a mounted
warrior and made with the same sense of balance and
form of the stone head clubs, this club will certainly
add to any collection of Indian Wars artifacts.
The
club measures
21 ¾" in overall length, and the head is
2" in diameter. The shaft is made of an iron rod that
goes all the way through the head, rather than a wooden
shaft. The head of the club is possibly made of lead.
The rawhide covering completely covers the ball so there
is no way to know, but it feels very dense, it is very
heavy, and a magnet will not stick to the ball like it
does to the shaft. The head alone weighs 1 1/2 pounds
and overall the club is very substantial – definitely
intended to be used as a weapon and not as a decorator
or a piece for show, evidenced by one side of the head
being flattened due to being struck against something.
The shaft, measuring 19 ¾”
long and approximately ½” in diameter, is covered with
native rawhide stitched with sinew. The rawhide surface
shows some desirable wear, but is solid, unbroken, and
still holds the head securely to the shaft. The sinew
stitching is intact with no separation and has a smooth,
well handled texture, again evidence of the age and wear
of this piece. The
rawhide covering is well worn, and the seam is polished
smooth from handling - one of the tell tale signs of
age. It appears that something was wrapped around the
shaft at one time when the club was freshly made and the
rawhide was still wet as it left a spiral imprint in the
rawhide.
This very unique old club has survived the years in
excellent condition, and it is special in that it shows
the trans-cultural use of materials by the Indians
during the period of western expansion. $1050
NOTE:
If you are interested in other Native American
pieces and artifacts related to the American West,
browse through those listings via this link:
CLICK HERE
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