Iroquois Weapons were used by 5 to 6 different tribes that belonged to the Iroquois Confederacy:
The Iroquois Confederation dominated the Northeast landscape in the 16th and 17th centuries. Each tribe, except the Tuscarora, became powerful and controlled the fur trade. They would fight wars and conquer native tribes such as the Erie Tribe.
The Tuscarora was originally a Southeast tribe that migrated to the Northeast and spoke the same language. Their late arrival means that they did not dominate their area.
Tomahawk
The Iroquois Tomahawk was made from stone with a wood handle.
These versatile weapons were used in war, hunting, and gathering resources. When it was in the hands of a skilled warrior, it was extremely deadly.
The tomahawk could be thrown and cut down an enemy from a small distance. With the arrival of horses, the tomahawk became even more deadly as it could be thrown from a galloping horse and quickly drop an enemy.
The Iroquois would also use this weapon in hand-to-hand combat.
Upon the arrival of the Europeans, the Iroquois would be introduced to metal, which would make the tomahawk more reliable and deadly.
The Spear
The spear was another common Iroquois weapon; however, its use was not what one would think.
It was used for hunting and not much in war. Spears were commonly used in the ancient and medieval world for war. They were especially effective when used with cavalry. There are other instances where long spears were used to repel cavalry.
The Iroquois used it to hunt and fish. A native that was experienced with a spear could quickly kill fish while standing on the bank.
The Bow and Arrow
The most common weapon that was used by the Native Americans, including the Iroquois, was the Bow and Arrow.
A skilled warrior had no problem getting off 20 arrows compared to one musket shot. They were also discreet and could be shot from a concealed location and not reveal where the warrior was hiding.
The Iroquois made their bows from wood and the string from animal guts. They were crafted with great detail and known for their high quality.
their arrows were made of wood and tipped with flint and after the Europeans arrived metal.
War Club
A common weapon found in most native tribes, including those belonging to the Iroquois Confederacy, was the War Club.
This was the most common weapon used for hand-to-hand combat during the war. It would consist of a wide handle with a large ball atop the club. This ball would be the primary striking point that, if connected, would crush a man's skull.
Clubs were commonly used but quickly disappeared after the arrival of the Europeans, making them ineffective.
The Gun
The first time the Iroquois saw the gun in action was when they fought against Samuel de Champlain and his Indian allies. When they saw their friends and chief shot and killed so quickly, they took flight.
Soon, they would get their hands on muskets, rifles, pistols, etc., and then change their style of warfare. They became extremely accurate and employed new guerilla-style warfare that focused on the ambush rather than the European style.
These tactics would be adopted by the colonists and other tribes during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.