Berdiche-hallberd stamp-hallmark

[francantolin]

Hello everybody,

has anybody ever seen this stamp before?

I bought some time ago this heavy berdiche head but don't know how old it is and the origin. Germany ?

Kind Regards

[cornelistromp]

IHS is a acronym/abbreviation of the greek name IHΣΟΥΣ =Jesus.
there is also another interpretation of IHS, better applicable to weapons

-In Hoc Signo (vincere) - In this sign you shall conquer".

best jasper

[ALEX]

Yes, a Christian symbol referencing Jesus. The cross and crossed bones also indicate this. Likely a wood cutting tool, especially if the blade is offset/off center from the socket, which seems to be a case here. Jesus was a carpenter, so this could be why such stamp was used.

[francantolin]

Waoh !!
Really interesting ! Thank you !!

( better an halberd head than a carpenter tool but..

any idea about the land of production/ use of this type of stamp ? North Europa ?
And it's age ?

Kind Regards

[ALEX]

Google "Austrian Goosewing Broad Axe" and you'll see many similar. There's one currently listed on a popular auction site with deep cross mark similar to yours. They were mounted on short wooden shafts and used as wood cutting hatchets. Yours is Austrian or possibly German, 18th-19th Century. Well made and with interesting and quite rare mark.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

IHS is a acronym/abbreviation of the greek name IHΣΟΥΣ =Jesus.
there is also another interpretation of IHS, better applicable to weapons

-In Hoc Signo (vincere) - In this sign you shall conquer".

best jasper

35 years ago I was told by the Jesuits that IHS stands for IESUS HRISTOS SALVATOR (Jesus Christ Saviour).

[francantolin]

Thann you really much Alex!! I LL look the Google link.
Kind regards !!

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by Victrix

35 years ago I was told by the Jesuits that IHS stands for IESUS HRISTOS SALVATOR (Jesus Christ Saviour).

There are several very similar variations to IHS, and this is correct translation that applies to this mark.

I also discussed the axe with someone who knows more about them, and based on form he thinks it is earlier, possibly 17th-18th C and also possibly used to be a weapon before being modified into a hatchet.

[fernando]

Should we compare francantolin's example with a Doloire shown in George Snook's publication ... and read what he says abouth these axes.


.

[francantolin]

Thanks a lot Fernando !!

I found these informations,
seems to be an Austrian axe ''tool''/ weapon called Doloire: