Tabar axe query.

Mel H · 14th January 2023, 03:12 PM

among my accumulation of Indian bits and pieces I have a couple of substantial axes which I would be interested to learn something about.
They're in good sound condition, quite simple in their design with no decorative embellishments and are certainly of good quality. The heads and spikes are steel and the handles are solid brass. Overall length is 29 inches (74 cm). They were clearly highly polished when new and I wondered if they may have been for 'guards' use.

mahratt · 14th January 2023, 04:12 PM

Hello, Mel H
I think this is a ceremonial ax or one of those "Indo-Persian axes" that were made in the late 19th and early 20th century for Europeans who wanted to decorate their "oriental rooms with similar items".

BBJW · 14th January 2023, 05:15 PM

Decorative/souvenir piece. Real ones were all steel except for perhaps a brass decoration on the 'hammer' and a screw in spike in the handle with handcut threads.--bbjw

ariel · 14th January 2023, 08:28 PM

Real fighting and utility axes have wedged blades. This one is practically flat.
Agree with others: either ceremonial, but more likely for those who travel.

kronckew · 15th January 2023, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Real fighting and utility axes have wedged blades. This one is practically flat.
Agree with others: either ceremonial, but more likely for those who travel.

Correct. I noted a casting flaw on the brass hammer part, and a brass haft is not very useful for an impact weapon, it'd bend easily. Also galvanic corrosion of the steel parts may occur.

Tim Simmons · 15th January 2023, 09:05 AM

To me it looks all steel, you can see the steel showing through the gilding. Gilding would suggest a ceremonial piece. As for flat blades not being practical weapons, I have had many heavy flat axe blades of Indo/Persian form from the Sudan also axes from most of Africa. I think it quite possible to hurt somebody with this axe.

kronckew · 15th January 2023, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

To me it looks all steel, you can see the steel showing through the gilding. Gilding would suggest a ceremonial piece. As for flat blades not being practical weapons, I have had many heavy flat axe blades of Indo/Persian form from the Sudan also axes from most of Africa. I think it quite possible to hurt somebody with this axe.

Could be. Might even be 'gold' paint. I took the OP's word it was brass. A magnet would test it easily. Still even if it's steel under the gold stuff, the flat blade is telling.

BBJW · 15th January 2023, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBJW

Decorative/souvenir piece. Real ones were all steel except for perhaps a brass decoration on the 'hammer' and a screw in spike in the handle with handcut threads.--bbjw

I should have added that this axe with a spike was for a mahout's (elephant driver) use and not meant to be a battle axe.-- bbjw

14th January 2023, 03:12 PM	#1
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	Tabar axe query. among my accumulation of Indian bits and pieces I have a couple of substantial axes which I would be interested to learn something about. They're in good sound condition, quite simple in their design with no decorative embellishments and are certainly of good quality. The heads and spikes are steel and the handles are solid brass. Overall length is 29 inches (74 cm). They were clearly highly polished when new and I wondered if they may have been for 'guards' use. Attached Images Last edited by Mel H; 14th January 2023 at 03:31 PM.

14th January 2023, 04:12 PM	#2
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Hello, Mel H I think this is a ceremonial ax or one of those "Indo-Persian axes" that were made in the late 19th and early 20th century for Europeans who wanted to decorate their "oriental rooms with similar items".

14th January 2023, 05:15 PM	#3
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 228	Decorative/souvenir piece. Real ones were all steel except for perhaps a brass decoration on the 'hammer' and a screw in spike in the handle with handcut threads.--bbjw

14th January 2023, 08:28 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Real fighting and utility axes have wedged blades. This one is practically flat. Agree with others: either ceremonial, but more likely for those who travel.

15th January 2023, 09:05 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	To me it looks all steel, you can see the steel showing through the gilding. Gilding would suggest a ceremonial piece. As for flat blades not being practical weapons, I have had many heavy flat axe blades of Indo/Persian form from the Sudan also axes from most of Africa. I think it quite possible to hurt somebody with this axe.