Can anyone ID this axe? Weapon? Tool? Origin? Age?

Edward C. · 26th July 2023, 08:35 PM

Mods, if this needs to be moved please do so. I don't really know where to post it.

This axe is a mystery- I have asked in different forums, and among private axe collectors with much experience. No one has a clue as to origin or age.

5.4 lbs, cutting edge 5 3/8", length 8", thickness 1 11/16. Poll 1 1/4" dia.

It seems too massive and heavy for a weapon, and too decorated for a tool.
On the thick side for a wood cutting axe, and about right for a splitting axe.

Battara · 28th July 2023, 12:54 AM

Looks European in symbology to me. I'll move to Euro section.

Edward C. · 28th July 2023, 01:48 AM

Thanks!
Perhaps someone will recognize the style or marking.

M ELEY · 28th July 2023, 05:38 AM

Very nice ax. No expert on these types, but yours is of the 'pole type' seen in Eastern and Western Europe in the early/mid-19th century. It is a tool ax despite the decoration, which many of these Euro axes did have (I think the manufacturers had a respect for their axes and these etchings were attractive to woodsmen. Yours appears cast, so perhaps 1850's-80's.

Unfortunately, the Tomahawk collectors site is down right now, but hopefully later you can pull it up and under the section 'Other Foreign Axes', you can see examples similar to yours-

www.tatcalite.com/id2.htm

Here is an example of an etched ax head on a Hungarian fokos ax. I'm NOT implying yours is a fokos, simply showing that these types often did have some great decoration to them despite their meager purposes-

https://therionarms.com/sold/ttoy417.html

M ELEY · 30th July 2023, 07:07 AM

European trade axes also had this general shape. See here-

https://www.furtradetomahawks.com/hb...axes---11.html

Edward C. · 6th August 2023, 01:11 AM

The tomahawk site is down, are there any other sites recommended?
Web inquires about axes and European axes and pole axes come up with many "brand name" tools 1850 and later, mostly 20th century. Poleaxes come up with weapons. This axe does not look like modern (post 1900) production to me- the decoration is hand applied.

A search on images can find many axes with a similar profile, but nothing with a round eye.

26th July 2023, 08:35 PM	#1
Edward C. Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 15	Can anyone ID this axe? Weapon? Tool? Origin? Age? Mods, if this needs to be moved please do so. I don't really know where to post it. This axe is a mystery- I have asked in different forums, and among private axe collectors with much experience. No one has a clue as to origin or age. 5.4 lbs, cutting edge 5 3/8", length 8", thickness 1 11/16. Poll 1 1/4" dia. It seems too massive and heavy for a weapon, and too decorated for a tool. On the thick side for a wood cutting axe, and about right for a splitting axe. Attached Images

28th July 2023, 05:38 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,088	Very nice ax. No expert on these types, but yours is of the 'pole type' seen in Eastern and Western Europe in the early/mid-19th century. It is a tool ax despite the decoration, which many of these Euro axes did have (I think the manufacturers had a respect for their axes and these etchings were attractive to woodsmen. Yours appears cast, so perhaps 1850's-80's. Unfortunately, the Tomahawk collectors site is down right now, but hopefully later you can pull it up and under the section 'Other Foreign Axes', you can see examples similar to yours- www.tatcalite.com/id2.htm Here is an example of an etched ax head on a Hungarian fokos ax. I'm NOT implying yours is a fokos, simply showing that these types often did have some great decoration to them despite their meager purposes- https://therionarms.com/sold/ttoy417.html Last edited by M ELEY; 28th July 2023 at 05:51 AM. Reason: added material

28th July 2023, 12:54 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Looks European in symbology to me. I'll move to Euro section.

28th July 2023, 01:48 AM	#3
Edward C. Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 15	Thanks! Perhaps someone will recognize the style or marking.

30th July 2023, 07:07 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,088	European trade axes also had this general shape. See here- https://www.furtradetomahawks.com/hb...axes---11.html

6th August 2023, 01:11 AM	#6
Edward C. Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 15	The tomahawk site is down, are there any other sites recommended? Web inquires about axes and European axes and pole axes come up with many "brand name" tools 1850 and later, mostly 20th century. Poleaxes come up with weapons. This axe does not look like modern (post 1900) production to me- the decoration is hand applied. A search on images can find many axes with a similar profile, but nothing with a round eye.