17thC Horseman’s hammer

fernando · 3rd July 2019, 04:43 PM

Victrix, let me (still) play the fool ...
Have you observed the variations of these Polish/Hungarian hammers (Nadziak?) out there in the web ?
One recurrent style most similar to your example, suggests an extension of the langets in the opposite (top) direction, holding to some 'cylindrical' projection.
Could it be that yours has once, even in the period ... surely not

.

Victrix · 3rd July 2019, 05:13 PM

Fernando, the photo you posted is of a Polish war hammer I believe, some of which had a protrusion at the top and hence the langet (some could even be used as walking sticks!). I have not seen those protrusions on Hungarian war hammers. But I suspect that my warhammer once had a shallow cap/cup that fitted at the top. The region has great variation in styles so I think it’s futile to be too specific.

fernando · 3rd July 2019, 06:10 PM

Duly noted; you know, i was trying to point out some discrepancies, so that you would feel like getting rid of it ... in my direction

.

Victrix · 3rd July 2019, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Duly noted; you know, i was trying to point out some discrepancies, so that you would feel like getting rid of it ... in my direction

.

BUCC_Guy · 4th July 2019, 06:42 AM

Looks good, certainly strikes me as Polish/Hungarian.

This is a hammer advertised as 16th c. Polish... only the head appears to be original. I have no idea how you could get a replacement cap, but this is what mine looks like.

Victrix · 4th July 2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUCC_Guy

Looks good, certainly strikes me as Polish/Hungarian.

This is a hammer advertised as 16th c. Polish... only the head appears to be original. I have no idea how you could get a replacement cap, but this is what mine looks like.

I think yours is a version with an axe blade at one side and the hammer on the other? I think the Poles call them czekan and the Hungarians fokos. There are so many different versions. Generally it seems the names suggest Turkish origins (via Hungary) for these weapons. You can read more about them here: https://polisharms.com/warhammers/.

I’m quite happy with my Horseman’s hammer as it is without the top cap. It’s exactly what I wanted for my display.

Many thanks.

Victrix · 2nd August 2021, 08:37 PM

At the Wallace Collection:

” “War Hammer (Czákany), with a square, stepped, hammer-head with a square face and moulded neck, balanced by a long, slightly drooping, fluted beak. Short, socket straps with shaped edges at top and bottom. Octagonal wooden haft covered with leather and studded with groups of brass-headed nails (probably modern). The haft projects beyond the head at the top and is finished at the top and bottom with a steel cap with a small button in the center.

Polish or Hungarian, the first half of the 17th century.”

The hammer and beak look similar to mine.

3rd July 2019, 04:43 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Victrix, let me (still) play the fool ... Have you observed the variations of these Polish/Hungarian hammers (Nadziak?) out there in the web ? One recurrent style most similar to your example, suggests an extension of the langets in the opposite (top) direction, holding to some 'cylindrical' projection. Could it be that yours has once, even in the period ... surely not . Attached Images

4th July 2019, 06:42 AM	#5
BUCC_Guy Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 52	Looks good, certainly strikes me as Polish/Hungarian. This is a hammer advertised as 16th c. Polish... only the head appears to be original. I have no idea how you could get a replacement cap, but this is what mine looks like. Attached Images

2nd August 2021, 08:37 PM	#7
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	At the Wallace Collection: ” “War Hammer (Czákany), with a square, stepped, hammer-head with a square face and moulded neck, balanced by a long, slightly drooping, fluted beak. Short, socket straps with shaped edges at top and bottom. Octagonal wooden haft covered with leather and studded with groups of brass-headed nails (probably modern). The haft projects beyond the head at the top and is finished at the top and bottom with a steel cap with a small button in the center. Polish or Hungarian, the first half of the 17th century.” The hammer and beak look similar to mine. Attached Images

3rd July 2019, 05:13 PM	#2
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Fernando, the photo you posted is of a Polish war hammer I believe, some of which had a protrusion at the top and hence the langet (some could even be used as walking sticks!). I have not seen those protrusions on Hungarian war hammers. But I suspect that my warhammer once had a shallow cap/cup that fitted at the top. The region has great variation in styles so I think it’s futile to be too specific.

3rd July 2019, 06:10 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Duly noted; you know, i was trying to point out some discrepancies, so that you would feel like getting rid of it ... in my direction .