Warrior's Ball Club

Eastern warrior's ball club. Circa 1860-70. This club has an iron spike with a quilled drop attached to the ball head by buffalo thongs. The head is heavily tacked as is the haft. The appears to have five tacked "horse shoes" on each side. By tradition, that would indicate, "horses stolen" during raids on other Indian tribes. They are signs of honors. Tacks are early 1800's and square shanked. This club is made from a single piece of maple. The handle is curved with scalloping on the top on the top. The patina on the club is proper for its age. Purchased by the Royal Ontario Museum in 1976, possible Little Big Horn connection. The Grandfather of donor was a doctor in the Wood Mt. area of Sask in the 1870’s, left in 1881. Collected from the Sioux that left the area for Canada after the Battle of Little Big Horn. Museum closed in 1979. Sold to Mr. Mellon of Calgary in 1981, upon his death his wife sold it to Bing Dobson. Ex. Carl Moon. Adorned on top are feathers in a sunburst design. Club 27", blade 2 1/2" plus 15" braided hide drop.