Bachmann Trains & Accessories

Model Railway Magazine Collectors
Model Railway Magazine Collectors

Can you tell the difference between an ancient, authentic example of the rare Paleo-Indian Folsom Point and one which may be an excellent example of modern flint knapping skill?

Since the 1930’s Folsom Points have been a measure of modern flint knapper’s skill. Many have been sold as ancient, which were indeed modern in origin. What knowledge can help protect you from ignorant and innocent errors or from outright fraud and intentional deception? How can you as an artifact collector know what to look for?

What clues can help you recognize a bonafide artifact and what clues can help you detect a modern reproduction which may have been made to look equally old and real? What does an authentic Folsom Point look and feel like?

With this information we can begin to know for sure.

The first thing any collector should be aware of is that ancient and authentic Folsom Points are very rare. And Folsom Points in excellent physical condition are almost unheard of.

Why is this?

They were hunting weapons. And the investment of time and effort to create them was quite extensive.

For that reason, a Folsom hunter usually reworked any point which might be damaged in use. Only when the damage was more extensive than could be readily repaired was a broken point discarded.

Consequently, most Folsom points which are found were either broken in the manufacturing process, or broken during hunting activities, with the unusable portions discarded, and the re-usable portion of the point subsequently resharpened and used again.

What this means to us as collectors is that, when we come across a “Folsom Point,” either on the internet or in person at a show or elsewhere, we should be very aware of the extreme likelihood that we are potentially looking at the handiwork of a skilled, modern flint knapper.

In particular, if the “Folsom Point” in question is in perfect condition, you should be careful. If the edges are crisp and sharp, be careful. In the real Folsom Points, the edges near the base were ground down a bit so as to not cut the bindings, with the grinding along the edges sometimes extending for half the length of the point. Modern knappers grind these edges, too, but sometimes they grind so much that the edge feels polished and slippery. So, this is also a clue of modern knapping. Under magnification, the grind marks from modern abrasives look uniform and parallel, different from anciently roughened edges, which are more random.

This information will give a collector some guidance for the first level of examination which he or she should be making when contemplating adding such a point to their collection.

Another level of protection will be to ask for, and require, time to have the point evaluated by a respected authenticator.

Any AACA (Authentic Artifact Collectors Association) member will gladly allow for this time, at least two weeks. Other sellers should make the same or more time available, and should offer the same guarantee as an AACA member … a money-back guarantee of authenticity.

Or do not buy the point.

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Copyright 2009. F. Scott Crawford, Carrollton, Texas

F. Scott Crawford is the editor and publisher of the monthly e-magazine “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web”. “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web” provides an on-going series of articles and graphic presentations of information related to the many different aspects of finding and learning about the relics of previous cultures which remain to be found today. With a special focus on internet based resources for finding and collecting and understanding authentic ancient artifacts such as arrowheads. The editorial objective of “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web” is to help readers become long-term, even serious collectors of arrowheads, over the years to come. Subscription information for this unique monthly e-magazine is available at http://www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com/ACOTW-Subscription-Info.html For more information click on this link: Arrowhead Collecting On The Web

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