An Attractive and Vicious Indian Battle Axe / Show Us Your Indian Axes!

CharlesS · 4th July 2016, 10:10 PM

The multitude of Indian battle axe styles and some of their strange, and dubiuous axe heads that sometimes make you wonder how they were used is a fascination for me. Just think of the many forms of the Chota Nagpur bullova axe.

This one is not one of the wilder more mind blowing versions of an Indian battle axe(in this case a saddle axe called a tabar, or tabarzine), but is aesthetically pleasing, very well made, and with a initially odd looking axe head that is perfect for a horseman. The axe is 29in. in length, with a 4.5in. wide axe head and a 4.25in. cutting edge. The axe head is beautifully forged from homogeneous steel. Note the barely noticeable temper line at the edge. The heavy axe is fitted with a steel bolster that is fitted on to a steel portion of the upper haft. Unlike some examples which have a steel bar reinforcement running partially down the haft, this one has a very thick steel bar reinforcement that runs down the full length of the haft, and is tightly held in place by steel rivets decorated with brass rivet covers. There is a steel ferrule at the end of the haft.

The axe is heavy in hand and I think would be a bit awkward for a infantryman, but in the hands of a horseman it would be deadly indeed. Note the subtle curvature of the blade's edge which allows for a powerful downward cut at an angle for maximum slashing, not unlike a shamshir, or a curved tulwar.

As a side note I am not sure of the reason for the humble chiseled area at the top of the blade that has been painted red...perhaps a armorer's mark?

Please join the thread if you are an Indo-Persian collector and show us your battle axe!!!

estcrh · 5th July 2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

The multitude of Indian battle axe styles and some of their strange, and dubiuous axe heads that sometimes make you wonder how they were used is a fascination for me.

Charles, I m glad I did not bid against you, I have a similar one and decided to hold off. Not a commonly seen style.

George Stone shows some interesting axe variations in his book.

estcrh · 5th July 2016, 07:22 PM

Indian axe, the very heavy steel head inlaid with brass and silver designs, the wooden haft reinforced with steel along its length and with applied brass rosettes.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 02:02 AM

A plain one of the same type.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estcrh

Charles, I m glad I did not bid against you, I have a similar one and decided to hold off. Not a commonly seen style.

Charles, as you pointed out to me the one I saw was not the one you now own, I should have looked closer. Here is the one I mentioned.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 04:01 PM

Here are some examples from Junagarh Fort Museum, India.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 04:21 PM

I have found this type being called "tungi", Indian, mid-19th century, curved iron head; wooden shaft painted with geometrical designs.Illustrated in "Islamic Weapons - Maghrib to Moghul" di Anthony C. Tirri", pag. 339, fig. 254B.
Used by the Khond people of Southern India.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 04:24 PM

Here is another two "tungi", the top one is from Terri's book, the lower one is mine, it has a very long shaft.

Royston · 6th July 2016, 10:35 AM

That's a nice one Chearles

Mine has an all steel head and shaft with horn slabs.
Nice items. Not handled that many, but those that I have always seem well balanced.

The last picture is my Bulova collection.

Roy

Royston · 6th July 2016, 11:26 AM

This one has a very small, yet thick and heavy head
( That's a normal sized zippo).
The head alone weighs about 400 g which on the end of a 65cm shaft makes for a good impact.

Steel shaft this time with a one piece wooden grip rather than horn. Notice how it is not slotted all the way to the butt.

The brass ornamentation around the steel pins is almost identical in both axes.

Regards
Roy

4th July 2016, 10:10 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	An Attractive and Vicious Indian Battle Axe / Show Us Your Indian Axes! The multitude of Indian battle axe styles and some of their strange, and dubiuous axe heads that sometimes make you wonder how they were used is a fascination for me. Just think of the many forms of the Chota Nagpur bullova axe. This one is not one of the wilder more mind blowing versions of an Indian battle axe(in this case a saddle axe called a tabar, or tabarzine), but is aesthetically pleasing, very well made, and with a initially odd looking axe head that is perfect for a horseman. The axe is 29in. in length, with a 4.5in. wide axe head and a 4.25in. cutting edge. The axe head is beautifully forged from homogeneous steel. Note the barely noticeable temper line at the edge. The heavy axe is fitted with a steel bolster that is fitted on to a steel portion of the upper haft. Unlike some examples which have a steel bar reinforcement running partially down the haft, this one has a very thick steel bar reinforcement that runs down the full length of the haft, and is tightly held in place by steel rivets decorated with brass rivet covers. There is a steel ferrule at the end of the haft. The axe is heavy in hand and I think would be a bit awkward for a infantryman, but in the hands of a horseman it would be deadly indeed. Note the subtle curvature of the blade's edge which allows for a powerful downward cut at an angle for maximum slashing, not unlike a shamshir, or a curved tulwar. As a side note I am not sure of the reason for the humble chiseled area at the top of the blade that has been painted red...perhaps a armorer's mark? *Please join the thread if you are an Indo-Persian collector and show us your battle* axe!!!** Attached Images

5th July 2016, 07:22 PM	#3
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	Indian axe, the very heavy steel head inlaid with brass and silver designs, the wooden haft reinforced with steel along its length and with applied brass rosettes. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 02:02 AM	#4
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	A plain one of the same type. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 04:01 PM	#6
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	Here are some examples from Junagarh Fort Museum, India. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 04:21 PM	#7
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	I have found this type being called "tungi", Indian, mid-19th century, curved iron head; wooden shaft painted with geometrical designs.Illustrated in "Islamic Weapons - Maghrib to Moghul" di Anthony C. Tirri", pag. 339, fig. 254B. Used by the Khond people of Southern India. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 04:24 PM	#8
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	Here is another two "tungi", the top one is from Terri's book, the lower one is mine, it has a very long shaft. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 10:35 AM	#9
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Tabar That's a nice one Chearles Mine has an all steel head and shaft with horn slabs. Nice items. Not handled that many, but those that I have always seem well balanced. The last picture is my Bulova collection. Roy Attached Images

6th July 2016, 11:26 AM	#10
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	One more This one has a very small, yet thick and heavy head ( That's a normal sized zippo). The head alone weighs about 400 g which on the end of a 65cm shaft makes for a good impact. Steel shaft this time with a one piece wooden grip rather than horn. Notice how it is not slotted all the way to the butt. The brass ornamentation around the steel pins is almost identical in both axes. Regards Roy Attached Images