Help/info on old polearms

machinist · 16th January 2013, 05:50 AM

Well I did not keep my promise to get a better camera and take better pictures, Consumer electronics are a low priority for me and my thin wallet, except for the computer.
However I have found the answer to my questions about these items.

I contacted boardmember Broadaxe and learned from him that objects like this are made as tools called Haches de Chai or Coupe Marc or Tranche-marc and they were used in the cider and grape presses of France to cut the solid material after pressing. Also that there is a book, Les haches, by Daniel Boucard that anyone who wants to buy old axes or polearms should read, so as to spot the not so obvious agricultural tool.

While it makes sense that such things must have been carried into battle it perhaps was primarily a make shift weapon.
Fortunately for me I enjoy agricultural implements also so it is not a complete failure on my part although after seeing the prices on French ebay I realize I overpaid.
Googling the above search terms led me to a few interesting discussions on French tool collector sites about the use and provenance of such tools.
There is also a nice one in Stones Glossary under "voulge".

16th January 2013, 05:50 AM	#1
machinist Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 93	Well I did not keep my promise to get a better camera and take better pictures, Consumer electronics are a low priority for me and my thin wallet, except for the computer. However I have found the answer to my questions about these items. I contacted boardmember Broadaxe and learned from him that objects like this are made as tools called Haches de Chai or Coupe Marc or Tranche-marc and they were used in the cider and grape presses of France to cut the solid material after pressing. Also that there is a book, Les haches, by Daniel Boucard that anyone who wants to buy old axes or polearms should read, so as to spot the not so obvious agricultural tool. While it makes sense that such things must have been carried into battle it perhaps was primarily a make shift weapon. Fortunately for me I enjoy agricultural implements also so it is not a complete failure on my part although after seeing the prices on French ebay I realize I overpaid. Googling the above search terms led me to a few interesting discussions on French tool collector sites about the use and provenance of such tools. There is also a nice one in Stones Glossary under "voulge".