Native Tomahawks (Traditional and Trade)

The tomahawk existed in two broad categories during the Lewis and Clark era: traditional stone-headed versions (a shaped stone lashed to a wooden handle) and European-manufactured trade versions (iron or steel heads forged in European or American smithies). The trade tomahawk had largely supplanted the stone version among tribes with access to fur trade networks by 1803. Tomahawks served as all-purpose tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. They could be used as hand weapons, thrown at enemies, or employed for everyday tasks like chopping wood and processing game. Lewis and Clark distributed large numbers of trade tomahawks as diplomatic gifts.