Hand Forged Iron Hammer - GRPO 8228
This hand-forged hammer may have been used by the North West Company blacksmith at the Grand Portage depot in the late 18th century. The tool is bent to form an eye for accommodating a handle and measures 11.1 ... More
Ice Chisel - GRPO 17766 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Chisels like the one featured here were essential tools in the late 18th century fur trade. Ice chisels were often attached to long wooden handles and used to penetrate through the ice to create holes for fishi... More
White Cedar Paddle Fragment - GRPO 16122
White cedar paddle blade, Ottertail-style with rounded tip, part of lower shaft, and dihedral cross-section. This is the most complete and best preserved paddle blade in Grand Portage National Monument's collec... More
Wrought Iron Hoe - GRPO 9925 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
This wrought iron hoe was recovered during the 1936 excavations of the North West Company depot in Grand Portage. The 1797 inventory records 24 of these tools at the depot in June of that year, possibly destine... More
Wrought Iron Muskrat Spear - GRPO 542
This hand-forged muskrat spear was recovered by archeologists from the Basswood River in 1961. It measures 34 cm long with a 1.2 cm diameter shaft. Barbs are located 7 and 12 cm from sharpened tip.
Wrought Iron Muskrat Spear - GRPO 541
This hand-forged muskrat spear was recovered from the Basswood River in 1961. It measures 34 cm long with a shaft diameter of 1.3 cm.
Ferrous Metal Scissors - GRPO 279
This pair of scissors was recovered during archeological work just south of the Great Hall in 1970. Measuring 15.8 cm long x 5 cm wide, these scissors were likely utilized for textile and/or leather work.
Firesteel - GRPO 17043 - National Parks Gallery
Hand-forged, rectangular-shaped firesteel with L-shaped handles extending off at right angles from striking edge and end with curved finials. The overall length of the firesteel is 6.7 cm, the overall width is... More
Ferrous Sewing Needle - GRPO 6728
This square shank needle was intended for sewing canvas sacks or possibly even canoe sails. It measures 8.4 cm long with a maximum width of 0.4 cm.
Wrought Iron Muskrat Spear Fragment - GRPO 13417
This hand-forged ferrous metal muskrat spear fragment measures 15.1 cm long with a 1 cm diameter; barbs are 7.8 and 14.6 cm from sharpened tip.
Iron Fish Hook - GRPO 17787 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
This single barb fish hook features a round rod with a flattened shank for accommodating a tied line. It measures 11.8 cm long, has a maximum width of 4.2 cm, and the rod diameter is 0.5 cm.
Chipped Stone Projectile Point - GRPO 15276
Chipped-stone, corner-notched, projectile point made from a slightly curved possible Tongue River silicified sediment flake. Part of the base is missing. The piece measures 25 mm long and has a maximum width of 15 mm.
Double-ended Iron Awl - GRPO 17614
This double-ended iron awl is hand-forged with a square cross-section. It measures 9.1 cm long and 0.4 cm thick.
Steel File Fragment - GRPO 15910
Steel bastard file fragment with double-cut teeth, squared shoulders, and variably tapered tang. This piece bears a makers mark with a diamond shape then "IH" over "HAWKE" just above the tang. It measures 106 m... More
Firesteel - GRPO 17119 - National Parks Gallery
Oval-shaped firesteels are the most abundant type of this tool in the monument's museum collection. This particular specimen is hand-forged and measure 8.3 cm long and 3.9 cm wide.
Wrought Iron Trade Axe - GRPO 15915
Large, deteriorated axe head with inset (sandwiched) steel bit. The axe measures 19.5 cm long with a 6.5 cm wide poll.
Paddle Fragment - GRPO 16119 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
White cedar paddle blade shoulder and lower shaft fragment, straight-sided, with dihedral cross-section. It measures 40.1 cm long and is 19.3 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick.
Brass Thimble - GRPO 17609 - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
This cast brass thimble measures 2.6 cm tall with 2.0 cm basal diameter. A popular trade item, over 1,300 thimbles appear on the June 1797 inventory of supplies at the North West Company depot in Grand Portage.
Rectangular Firesteel - GRPO 342
Hand-forged rectangular shaped firesteel. This type of tool was used for starting fires with a flint or other sharp stone that could cut the steel to produce hot sparks when struck along the long edge. It measu... More
Canoe Sail Toggle - GRPO 14147 - Public Domain image, National Parks G...
This cylindrical style wooden sail toggle possesses a central groove for securing a rope to one of the sail corners. It measures 9.6 cm long with a 2.1 cm diameter.
Double-ended Offset Awl - GRPO 17783
This ferrous metal offset awl possesses a rectangular cross-section. It measures 9.0 cm long, 0.7 cm wide, and 0.4 cm thick.
Lead Bale Seal - GRPO 12931 - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
This lead bale seal is stamped "-ILDO-" on the face and "3/21" is scratched on the opposite side. The diameter is 2.4 cm. Much like wax was melted and used to seal or secure the contents of correspondence in th... More
Wrought Iron Trade Axe - GRPO 539
This axe was recovered from the Basswood River 1961 as part of joint archeological project between the United States and Canada. It measures 17.5 cm long with a 7.8 cutting edge.