Excavated Battleaxe with Integral Langets

Lee · 20th June 2019, 02:57 AM

Thank you, Gentlemen.

BUCC_Guy, I think your illustration is surely of the same type of object, but of a clearly higher quality with the maker's mark and cut-out. I could not identify any markings on the one I presented at the top of this thread.

M Eley, Yes, I recently 're-discovered' it in the sticky (hard to open) bottom drawer of my armoury closet. I am embarassed to admit that I do not remember where or when I acquired it. I expect that it will have been at a 'gun show' in the US over 15 years ago.

fernando · 20th June 2019, 11:14 AM

Such an elegant shape, this axe had in its glorious days !

The fascination for the morbid, which takes the common observer to conclude that, all such large axes are beheading instruments is, in the case of this example, rejected by the existence of an "appendix" in its back side, an implement i would love to learn further in detail.
Being called a hammer, my curiosity raises two questions:To hammer ... what, in particular ? And why, being its purpose to actually hammer, is it so small, comparing its proportions with those of the actual axe; in a manner that it would be rather slippery (weight wise) to firmly sustain its blade vertically, to strike whatever object with its hammer tool ?

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Lee · 20th June 2019, 03:22 PM

Though the hammer head is small (2.26 x 2.79 cm. in maximum cross section), I imagine that it does move the center of gravity further back towards the haft (see photo below) and that the presence of the haft might well pull the center of gravity very nearly in line with the haft. Also, even if the purpose of the axe was primarily as a weapon, in the field a small hammer would occasionally prove useful.

Timo Nieminen · 7th July 2019, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Being called a hammer, my curiosity raises two questions:To hammer ... what, in particular ?.

Not necessarily to hammer anything. Various spikes on polearms have a lot of potential use for hooking, pulling, parrying, etc. This is easily big enough for that kind of thing.

Having it flush with the top makes it less good for this, but better for use as a striking weapon. A reasonable compromise.

As Lee wrote above, a hammer can be a very useful tool. If, however, this was a long-hafted battleaxe, it might be a rather clumsy tool, and maybe the main function of the hammer is fighting.

fernando · 8th July 2019, 11:51 AM

Duly noted ... thanks

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20th June 2019, 11:14 AM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Questions of an ignorant in the matter ... Such an elegant shape, this axe had in its glorious days ! The fascination for the morbid, which takes the common observer to conclude that, all such large axes are beheading instruments is, in the case of this example, rejected by the existence of an "appendix" in its back side, an implement i would love to learn further in detail. Being called a hammer, my curiosity raises two questions:To hammer ... what, in particular ? And why, being its purpose to actually hammer, is it so small, comparing its proportions with those of the actual axe; in a manner that it would be rather slippery (weight wise) to firmly sustain its blade vertically, to strike whatever object with its hammer tool ? . Attached Images

20th June 2019, 03:22 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Perhaps mostly for balance? Though the hammer head is small (2.26 x 2.79 cm. in maximum cross section), I imagine that it does move the center of gravity further back towards the haft (see photo below) and that the presence of the haft might well pull the center of gravity very nearly in line with the haft. Also, even if the purpose of the axe was primarily as a weapon, in the field a small hammer would occasionally prove useful. Attached Images

20th June 2019, 02:57 AM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Thank you, Gentlemen. BUCC_Guy, I think your illustration is surely of the same type of object, but of a clearly higher quality with the maker's mark and cut-out. I could not identify any markings on the one I presented at the top of this thread. M Eley, Yes, I recently 're-discovered' it in the sticky (hard to open) bottom drawer of my armoury closet. I am embarassed to admit that I do not remember where or when I acquired it. I expect that it will have been at a 'gun show' in the US over 15 years ago.

8th July 2019, 11:51 AM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Duly noted ... thanks .