[Jim McDougall]

Jens, again I'm, glad that you at least have found these comments interesting...after 145 views on this thread, and not one other response, it is nice to have at least a word of note. These queries are interesting to me too, and thats why I enjoy spending the time going through notes etc. to see if I can find answers....and its encouraging to see that at least people are reading.

As far as I can see, this axe, by its typology and form is very similar to English headsman axes of late 16th-early 17th century. While I see what appears to be genuine age pitting consistant with a weapon this old, which seems to have been cleaned, if it is of period that would rule out being a later ceremonial or fraternal type accoutrement or regalia item. What brings that to mind is the fact that the letter 'G' is well known in Masonic symbolism, and though the Tylers sword as a ritual piece is established I know of no use of large bearing type axes used in thier ceremonies.

Leaving the idea of the 'G' tree being of Masonic association, we return to the possibility of this being an actual headsman axe. In Germany, there were long the mysterious tribunals known a those of the Free Judges, or Vehmic courts. There are numerous examples of 'heading' swords associated with these and on them are various symbols, inscriptions and themes keyed to life and death, justice and redemption. We might presume that similar symbolism and themes might occur on other such 'weapons of justice' in other countries as well, and there were of course always notable connections between England and Germany.

In medieval times, the use of symbolism which often appeared in various forms on weapons in many ways had distinct association and development from the mysticism of the Cabala. While I cannot claim any particular effective understanding of this, I do know that many of the symbols and sigils eventually became utilized in other esoteric venues including astrology, alchemy and many aspects of magic and folklore.

One such element of Cabalistic symbolism was the 'Tree of Life' which seems to have representation in many religions and traditions in varying form. In Jewish mysticism, it occurred in a strikingly similar configuration with the top and bottom and branches having orbs, and ten in number. These represent the ten Sephiroth and thier enumerations. In the case of this example on the axe, there appear to be 11 capital G letters at the terminus of each 'branch'.

While this discrepancy can fairly eliminate the distinctly Cabalistic connection, it does not eliminate the potential for it being evolved from or mindful of the original configuration.Though its actual meaning ,now out of context,cannot be determined without further evidence, it does seem to be a 'Tree of Life' related symbol. It is unclear what the G means, and though I thought it may be connected to a Hebrew letter with symbolic meaning, I have not yet found satisfactory support for that, so I will leave the capital G significance as undetermined.

At first sight, I thought this looked perhaps like an old Germanic or North European axe, and that the marking had some resemblance to old runic characters or perhaps even Ogham, but of course that was quickly ruled out. The visual similarity to the branched symbols known as 'carrocium' was also tempting, but there seemed to much disparity in timeline, and these were fairly uncommon though appearing on a few sword blades.

I had mentioned earlier similarity to the 'anchors' or cross type figures with numerous crossbars with serifs in variation and number. These occur as noted on various blades in about early 17th century from Germany and Spain and seem to have evolved from Cabalistic sigils. These were not makers marks (though sometimes associated with certain ones through variation), but actually talismanic applications often accompanying other inscriptions.
That was what I referred to in considering the configuration of this marking, which at this point seems most closely connected to the Cabalist figure of the Ten Sephiroth, or Tree of Life.

All of this is of course is admittedly pure speculation on my part based on what material I could find which seemed to correspond, and as always, I look forward to the thoughts of anyone else who might care to comment.

All the best,
Jim