Ancient Pair Transfer Shaft Toggle Harpoon Alaskan Eskimo Inuit Artifact
Item History & Price
Toggle harpoons are the foundation of any Eskimo artifact collection. While most people recognize the elongated toggle harpoon tip, the harpoon had other vital parts including the transfer shaft, foreshaft and harpoon haft itself. The transfer shaft commonly made from the same material as the toggle, bridged the gap between the harpoon tip and the harpoon or harpoon foreshaft. It commonly took the brunt of the impact when thrown and often broke on impact. ...But transferring the energy into the mid-shaft the harpoon tip itself could survive the impact with its intended prey and then toggle under its skin. Ironically, these simple transfer shafts are rarer then toggle heads and having a mated set is key to any collection. This set has beautiful patina which indicates centuries of age. St. Lawrence Island artifact. Last photo is on a 1" x 1" grid for reference. Please look at my other Alaskan Artifacts.
