Bulova Axe with spear point

Kmaddock · 7th December 2021, 09:23 AM

Hi All
I know there are 100's of varaitions, but has anyone ever seen a Bulova axe like this one with a large spear point on the top. Most that I have seen have just a small finial of approx 2 inches on the top.

The brass cap on the butt looks good though

I am seeing it this evening when a mate comes over but I wanted to get an opinion off the forum before hand.

Handle (bamboo by the look of it) looks to be approx. 2 1/2 foot of so going on the plate and the handcuffs in the picture.

Many thanks,

Ken

kronckew · 7th December 2021, 11:35 AM

axe blade looks quite narrow. Check its fit & how it is fitted to the haft. Was it fitted from the top like a western axe, or bottom like a tomahawk? All of mine have a seperate sheet metal liner in the eye socket to protect the haft.

Haft looks like it was carved to simulate bamboo, Is the spear sharp? It looks real enough. My impression is a tarted up Bulova with all the optional extras (or a shortened spear with an added axe head.)

My bamboo hafted bulova and two others of mine for comparison:

Kmaddock · 7th December 2021, 11:49 AM

Thanks,

I have seen a few of these axes but never with such a substantial spear top which is what intrigues me.

I had one before and the axe blade was v flimsy and easily bent (and a regretful purchase to be honest) but this one looks interesting and hopefully a nice old piece.

I will have a proper look this evening and take some proper pictures.

Thanks

Ken

kronckew · 7th December 2021, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

Thanks,

...

I had one before and the axe blade was v flimsy and easily bent (and a regretful purchase to be honest) ...

Ken

All mine have substatantial blades, the bamboo was from a sikh nihang, probably used for ghatka demos, the middle rusty one is quite thickly hafted, heavy (and sharp) the thinner one on the sundial is lighter, more suited for parade or against unarmoured opponents, tho its blade is reasonably heavy forged & not sheet metal. of the 3 if I were in batle, I'd want the old rusty one.

Kmaddock · 9th December 2021, 10:06 AM

I traded a few bayonets for the Axe, in the hand it feels perfect and definitely a functional item. Over 1M in length so a lot longer than my other Bulova axe.

It has that lovely smell and tar/varnish residue (I hope you know what I mean) of an old unloved antique item.

It is all v v tight with no movement at all.

Axe blade is well made light enough but not much flex in it at all, hand forged and v sharp.

The handle is wood simulated to look like bamboo with a substantial brass finial..

The spear head is sharp and v functional.

I will clean off the dirt gently while leaving the platina and take better pictures.

Regards

Ken

Kmaddock · 14th December 2021, 03:45 PM

Well here it is cleaned up a bit of the active rust.

Substantial length of 1.2 M overall , spear blade of 19 cm

Beautiful wooden handle colouration with a great grain simulated to look like bamboo

Blade on the spear is bulbus at top like an armour piercing Katar.

Nice brass butt cap finial and a v sharp axe, v little flex in the axe blade and rock solid

As you can see the whole thing is together a long time and the axe head would have to have been inserted from the top as the handle tapers towards the butt cap.

It has a lot of age and a very nice addition (I feel for my collection straight out of the woodwork.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I and this item is a definite keeper going into the permanent section of my collection.

Regards

Ken

Kmaddock · 14th December 2021, 03:46 PM

hope you can see the swelling in the spear tip with this picture

kronckew · 14th December 2021, 07:07 PM

Pictures helped. Looks like all the components are proper weapons. The axe head looks old school in the way the axe blade is inserted into the cheek/eye section & forge welded in place. The spear looks like a good armour piercing (for mail, not plate) Indian one. The tip swell is indeed visible, looks like similar reinforcing in katars and other knives.

A keeper for sure. Good for what goes bump in the night.

drac2k · 15th December 2021, 12:07 AM

As a fan of the Bulova, the ax heads are usually very nice, but the caps or the top spikes usually look like they are an afterthought or quite plain; yours is fantastic! Congratulations on your new acquisition!

Kmaddock · 15th December 2021, 11:44 AM

Thank you both for confirming it is a nice original piece.
As for age what do you think?
18th century I was putting it as but I have no real basis for this opinion.
Regards,
Ken

kronckew · 17th December 2021, 12:50 PM

Forgot to mention that the wooden haft grain looks a lot like coconut wood. It's good stuff.

7th December 2021, 09:23 AM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Bulova Axe with spear point Hi All I know there are 100's of varaitions, but has anyone ever seen a Bulova axe like this one with a large spear point on the top. Most that I have seen have just a small finial of approx 2 inches on the top. The brass cap on the butt looks good though I am seeing it this evening when a mate comes over but I wanted to get an opinion off the forum before hand. Handle (bamboo by the look of it) looks to be approx. 2 1/2 foot of so going on the plate and the handcuffs in the picture. Many thanks, Ken Attached Images

7th December 2021, 11:35 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	axe blade looks quite narrow. Check its fit & how it is fitted to the haft. Was it fitted from the top like a western axe, or bottom like a tomahawk? All of mine have a seperate sheet metal liner in the eye socket to protect the haft. Haft looks like it was carved to simulate bamboo, Is the spear sharp? It looks real enough. My impression is a tarted up Bulova with all the optional extras (or a shortened spear with an added axe head.) My bamboo hafted bulova and two others of mine for comparison: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 7th December 2021 at 12:00 PM.

14th December 2021, 03:45 PM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Well here it is cleaned up a bit of the active rust. Substantial length of 1.2 M overall , spear blade of 19 cm Beautiful wooden handle colouration with a great grain simulated to look like bamboo Blade on the spear is bulbus at top like an armour piercing Katar. Nice brass butt cap finial and a v sharp axe, v little flex in the axe blade and rock solid As you can see the whole thing is together a long time and the axe head would have to have been inserted from the top as the handle tapers towards the butt cap. It has a lot of age and a very nice addition (I feel for my collection straight out of the woodwork. Hope you enjoy it as much as I and this item is a definite keeper going into the permanent section of my collection. Regards Ken Attached Images

14th December 2021, 03:46 PM	#7
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	hope you can see the swelling in the spear tip with this picture Attached Images

7th December 2021, 11:49 AM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks, I have seen a few of these axes but never with such a substantial spear top which is what intrigues me. I had one before and the axe blade was v flimsy and easily bent (and a regretful purchase to be honest) but this one looks interesting and hopefully a nice old piece. I will have a proper look this evening and take some proper pictures. Thanks Ken

9th December 2021, 10:06 AM	#5
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	I traded a few bayonets for the Axe, in the hand it feels perfect and definitely a functional item. Over 1M in length so a lot longer than my other Bulova axe. It has that lovely smell and tar/varnish residue (I hope you know what I mean) of an old unloved antique item. It is all v v tight with no movement at all. Axe blade is well made light enough but not much flex in it at all, hand forged and v sharp. The handle is wood simulated to look like bamboo with a substantial brass finial.. The spear head is sharp and v functional. I will clean off the dirt gently while leaving the platina and take better pictures. Regards Ken

14th December 2021, 07:07 PM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Pictures helped. Looks like all the components are proper weapons. The axe head looks old school in the way the axe blade is inserted into the cheek/eye section & forge welded in place. The spear looks like a good armour piercing (for mail, not plate) Indian one. The tip swell is indeed visible, looks like similar reinforcing in katars and other knives. A keeper for sure. Good for what goes bump in the night.

15th December 2021, 12:07 AM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	As a fan of the Bulova, the ax heads are usually very nice, but the caps or the top spikes usually look like they are an afterthought or quite plain; yours is fantastic! Congratulations on your new acquisition!

15th December 2021, 11:44 AM	#10
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thank you both for confirming it is a nice original piece. As for age what do you think? 18th century I was putting it as but I have no real basis for this opinion. Regards, Ken

17th December 2021, 12:50 PM	#11
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Forgot to mention that the wooden haft grain looks a lot like coconut wood. It's good stuff.