16thC war axe with bird's beak

[cornelistromp]

Hi marcus,

thanks for the link, I saw similar design on a 16thc barrel at some thread in this forum but unfortunately iam not able to find it anymore.

best,

[Matchlock]

Hi Jasper,


It was not without rhyme or reason that I waited to come in on this.

The main question is: is it European, and where exactly? The style if decoration surely is but the whole object leaves a rather lightweight=late impression.
I'm afraid it is East European, Romania/Bulgaria, ca. 1600.

All 1st-half 16th c. specimens I have handled were North Italian to South German - and of considerably greater structure and weight. This makes us ponder whether the whole thing is already rather symbol than weapon.


Best,
m

[cornelistromp]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your answer.

Do you maybe you have a barrel with the same decoration in your collection?
can you then please post a picture of it?

yes Polish around 1600, a so called a czekan nadziak, could also be a possibility. see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16469

Though I do not expect it, because it out of the Emden ruestkammer.
f/m the decoration is typically German, there are clear signs of combat use and the weight is 675gr similar to warhammers of this form, CF europaische Hieb und stiechwaffen p 273 warhammer 307 (690gr)

I do think the weapon is too ugly to be used for processional use.

best,
jasper

[Matchlock]

Hi Jasper,


Had I had anything to compare I would have jumped right in presenting it.


The origin of the style of decoration is Northern Italy, early 16th c.
When judging the age of both styles and weapons, please keep in mind that basically there were handcrafted styles first which later turned into mere decoration.

E.g., enclosed find a ca. 1530's Northern Italian war hammer and, showing the same originally turned/roped style but now merely appearing struck as an ornament, on a ca. 1540's South German Landsknecht saber, and finally, and very much like your hammer in discussion, a ca. 1600 Ambras sword (note the laterally roped decoration).


Best,
m

[Matchlock]

Another close stylish comparison from your Katzbalger restoration thread - see the relationsphip between the wavy and the roped lines?

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Another fine 1530's Northern Italian all-steel (these were the first in line!) war hammer retaining much of its original blackened surface.

m

[Matchlock]

And a finely etched vise, made by Leonhard Danner, Nuremberg, ca. 1560.

m