The ball-headed club was the Woodlands warrior's oldest close-quarters weapon. The best were carved from a single piece of hardwood, a sapling cut with its root ball or a branch with a burl, so the head grew from the same grain as the handle and would not split off. Makers worked the ball smooth and often carved the handle with a clan animal or personal sign. A club could also carry a message. Witnesses at the time described warriors leaving an engraved club beside the dead, or in plain sight near a settlement, so the enemy would know who had struck. Clubs stayed in use as weapons until about the end of the 1700s, long after trade tomahawks had become common.

This warrior stands braced for hand-to-hand fighting, the ball-headed club cocked back in one hand and a steel trade knife held low and point-down in the other. His face is painted red, and silver ornaments hang at his ear and circle his arms. A yellow strap over his shoulder carries a beaded pouch hung with red tassels. Below are a blue breechcloth, dark red leggings with red-and-white garters, and moccasins. For a close-quarters scene, pit him against 42nd Grenadier Standing Defending. Bring in Native Warrior Attacking with War Club and Native Warrior Swinging Gunstock War Club from the flanks.

W. Britain model 16018. 1/30 scale (approximately 60mm), matte-painted metal. Single foot figure on a sculpted groundwork base. Boxed.