Indo-persian Axe

russel · 21st July 2014, 05:20 AM

This just ended on Ebay, listed as an Indo-persian axe. I have seen it's like before but I can't place it or find it in any of my references. Does anyone know when in particular this item originates? Does it have a specific name?

Overall length 23"; blade thickness 0.25"

Cheers - Russel

Kubur · 21st July 2014, 05:39 AM

At least it's not Persian at all.
Regards,
Kubur

Jim McDougall · 21st July 2014, 07:16 AM

Looks like a bullova, however with unusual smoothly radiused crescent type blade. Most of the have recurved style blades .
"Battle Axes" James Gamble 1981

russel · 21st July 2014, 07:23 AM

I was thinking along the same lines Jim, but neither Gamble or Stone illustrate a Bullova axe like this.

Jim McDougall · 21st July 2014, 07:33 AM

Right Russell but remember these tribal items are widely varied, and these were situated in Chota Nagpur in the Bengal Presidency....the tribes included Kol and Khond and others in pretty vast areas . While not an exact match, the basic posture of the head on the haft compellingly resembles that of the bullova contrary to the other hafted weapons typical in India.
It would be great to find an exact match, but lots more research possibly Haider, Pant, perhaps Egerton.
Pending further results I think bullova is most likely.

These are always interesting, lots of history there!

kronckew · 21st July 2014, 09:35 AM

the unusual mounting of the axe head to the shaft via a double tang tang passing thru two holes in the shaft with the ends peened is not a usual feature of a bullova. all the ones i have seen have the very similar and much stronger socket arrangement like my non-recurved 'moustache' axe. the axe above is very different, and i'd be reluctant to actually use it in a battle as it is likely going to break if it hits anything.

the crude end piece that looks like it was made from a thin brass disk nailed to the pommel, and the iron top finial are also atypical. (mine is sadly missing the normal cone shaped finial.)

african axes that use a similar tanged axe head have a substantial bulge where the tang penetrates the haft, like my last example below.

Norman McCormick · 21st July 2014, 11:14 PM

Hi,
This is my Chota Nagpur/Bullova axe, the finial looks somewhat similar.
Regards,
Norman.

Norman McCormick · 21st July 2014, 11:22 PM

Hi,
Here's another with a similar finial from another members collection (royston).
Regards,
Norman.

Ian · 21st July 2014, 11:56 PM

A quick look through Egerton shows nothing particularly helpful.

There is a seller on eBay out of Rajasthan who has a current auction with a similar unmounted axe head. The method of fixation would be a little different but the overall appearance and thickness of the tangs is similar. To avoid violating forum rules I will PM you the name of the seller.

Ian.

Jim McDougall · 22nd July 2014, 06:04 AM

Just searching internet and found another similar, but apparently much larger example with same crescent style head and the twin attaching bars on the Ashoka arms site. It was sold, but identified as a large two hand Khond or Gond war axe from Chota Nagpur. This one had a 15" blade and 50" overall in size.
It is noted that the smaller axes of these tribes were called bullovas. It is interesting that this seems to be a smaller version of the large war axe and from these tribal groups....so if it is a smaller version, then perhaps it might be called a bullova as well? even if features don't exactly correspond.

russel · 2nd August 2014, 10:40 PM

Apologies for the late reply.

I am kicking myself a little for not bidding now. I had a good feeling about it: "Bullova" leapt into my mind when I first saw it. I think I was mainly put off by:

1. Similar recently made isolated axe heads currently on offer on eBay coming out of India (as Ian noted), had I noticed the Ashoka example I may have made a different decision. Although as I think about it, this one shows far better workmanship than the Rajasthan examples and good patina.

2. The lack of similar examples in any of my references or on the Forum (that has now changed).

3. Gamble (Page 66) goes so far as to say the ALL Bullova axes have the familiar socket arrangement. Admittedly not the best of references, but there is precious little out there on axes.

I missed an opportunity with this one. But one lives and learns (and learning is such fun).

I own a couple of the more traditional Bullova axes, I will certainly keep my eye out for this form in the future.

Thanks guys,
Russel

21st July 2014, 05:20 AM	#1
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Indo-persian Axe This just ended on Ebay, listed as an Indo-persian axe. I have seen it's like before but I can't place it or find it in any of my references. Does anyone know when in particular this item originates? Does it have a specific name? Overall length 23"; blade thickness 0.25" Cheers - Russel Attached Images

21st July 2014, 09:35 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	the unusual mounting of the axe head to the shaft via a double tang tang passing thru two holes in the shaft with the ends peened is not a usual feature of a bullova. all the ones i have seen have the very similar and much stronger socket arrangement like my non-recurved 'moustache' axe. the axe above is very different, and i'd be reluctant to actually use it in a battle as it is likely going to break if it hits anything. the crude end piece that looks like it was made from a thin brass disk nailed to the pommel, and the iron top finial are also atypical. (mine is sadly missing the normal cone shaped finial.) african axes that use a similar tanged axe head have a substantial bulge where the tang penetrates the haft, like my last example below. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 21st July 2014 at 09:49 AM.

21st July 2014, 11:14 PM	#7
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Hi, This is my Chota Nagpur/Bullova axe, the finial looks somewhat similar. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

21st July 2014, 11:22 PM	#8
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Hi, Here's another with a similar finial from another members collection (royston). Regards, Norman. Attached Images

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21st July 2014, 05:39 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	At least it's not Persian at all. Regards, Kubur

21st July 2014, 07:16 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Looks like a bullova, however with unusual smoothly radiused crescent type blade. Most of the have recurved style blades . "Battle Axes" James Gamble 1981

21st July 2014, 07:23 AM	#4
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	I was thinking along the same lines Jim, but neither Gamble or Stone illustrate a Bullova axe like this.

21st July 2014, 07:33 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Right Russell but remember these tribal items are widely varied, and these were situated in Chota Nagpur in the Bengal Presidency....the tribes included Kol and Khond and others in pretty vast areas . While not an exact match, the basic posture of the head on the haft compellingly resembles that of the bullova contrary to the other hafted weapons typical in India. It would be great to find an exact match, but lots more research possibly Haider, Pant, perhaps Egerton. Pending further results I think bullova is most likely. These are always interesting, lots of history there!

21st July 2014, 11:56 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	A quick look through Egerton shows nothing particularly helpful. There is a seller on eBay out of Rajasthan who has a current auction with a similar unmounted axe head. The method of fixation would be a little different but the overall appearance and thickness of the tangs is similar. To avoid violating forum rules I will PM you the name of the seller. Ian.

22nd July 2014, 06:04 AM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	Just searching internet and found another similar, but apparently much larger example with same crescent style head and the twin attaching bars on the Ashoka arms site. It was sold, but identified as a large two hand Khond or Gond war axe from Chota Nagpur. This one had a 15" blade and 50" overall in size. It is noted that the smaller axes of these tribes were called bullovas. It is interesting that this seems to be a smaller version of the large war axe and from these tribal groups....so if it is a smaller version, then perhaps it might be called a bullova as well? even if features don't exactly correspond.

2nd August 2014, 10:40 PM	#11
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Apologies for the late reply. I am kicking myself a little for not bidding now. I had a good feeling about it: "Bullova" leapt into my mind when I first saw it. I think I was mainly put off by: 1. Similar recently made isolated axe heads currently on offer on eBay coming out of India (as Ian noted), had I noticed the Ashoka example I may have made a different decision. Although as I think about it, this one shows far better workmanship than the Rajasthan examples and good patina. 2. The lack of similar examples in any of my references or on the Forum (that has now changed). 3. Gamble (Page 66) goes so far as to say the ALL Bullova axes have the familiar socket arrangement. Admittedly not the best of references, but there is precious little out there on axes. I missed an opportunity with this one. But one lives and learns (and learning is such fun). I own a couple of the more traditional Bullova axes, I will certainly keep my eye out for this form in the future. Thanks guys, Russel