Kuki Naga Axe or …?

[DaveA]

Hello All,

I am pleased to have won a very unusual axe at auction, previously identified as mak. See image #1. Photo courtesy of Auctions Imperial.

However, based on the shape of the blade, I believe that it may be an axe originating with the Kuki Naga residing in eastern Assam, India and extending into northern Myanmar (where they are known as the Chin). See image #2.

It also resembles a dao from the Kabui Naga (residing near Manipur, Assam, India). See image #3.

However, the pole haft does not look like any sword dao I've seen from any Naga tribe in Assam. Rather, it looks agricultural in purpose (although many SE Asia tools double as weapons). Could the blade have been remounted?

I'll post more pictures of the item when it arrives!

What do you think?


Dave A.