Early polearm or Lochaber axe or something else ?

BUCC_Guy · 6th March 2020, 03:26 AM

It’s in a family of blades that I’ve seen on the market that are usually attributed to the French. Sale ads range from 16th to 18th century. They have a voulge-like blade and unusually small mounting holes, with the blade often curved backwards over the pole.

I have attached a random example of what I’m talking about.

Whether they are actually weapons... or French... is beyond me.

Cerjak · 4th May 2020, 07:38 AM

Description made by Christies in 2012

A LARGE IRON VOUGE STAFF-WEAPON HEAD
ALMOST CERTAINLY 15TH CENTURY
With heavy curved blade (tips reprofiled) struck on one face with a series of marks and on the other face with one corresponding mark, with two forge-welded sockets, the cutting-edge probably originally forge-welded steel (heavy discolouration and corrosion marking throughout)
18½in. (47cm.) long

Cerjak · 4th May 2020, 07:49 AM

Exhibit in the Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Yvain · 4th May 2020, 08:33 AM

This is indeed a coupe-marc / couteau à marc / couteau de pressoir, most likely from the XIXth century (XVIIIth being possible too). The shape is characteristic, and is one of the most widely used for this kind of tool.

Although some tools were indeed used as polearms, or evolved into them, this is way too heavy to be used effectively as a weapon.

Similar examples coming from museums in Normandie (a well known cider producing region of France):

https://collections.musees-normandie...b-8568daf8c665

https://collections.musees-normandie...b-8568daf8c665

https://collections.musees-normandie...b-8568daf8c665

6th March 2020, 03:26 AM	#1
BUCC_Guy Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 52	It’s in a family of blades that I’ve seen on the market that are usually attributed to the French. Sale ads range from 16th to 18th century. They have a voulge-like blade and unusually small mounting holes, with the blade often curved backwards over the pole. I have attached a random example of what I’m talking about. Whether they are actually weapons... or French... is beyond me. Attached Images

4th May 2020, 07:38 AM	#2
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	A LARGE IRON VOUGE STAFF-WEAPON HEAD Description made by Christies in 2012 A LARGE IRON VOUGE STAFF-WEAPON HEAD ALMOST CERTAINLY 15TH CENTURY With heavy curved blade (tips reprofiled) struck on one face with a series of marks and on the other face with one corresponding mark, with two forge-welded sockets, the cutting-edge probably originally forge-welded steel (heavy discolouration and corrosion marking throughout) 18½in. (47cm.) long Attached Images

4th May 2020, 07:49 AM	#3
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	Exhibit in the Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts, US Exhibit in the Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Attached Images

4th May 2020, 08:33 AM	#4
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 179	This is indeed a coupe-marc / couteau à marc / couteau de pressoir, most likely from the XIXth century (XVIIIth being possible too). The shape is characteristic, and is one of the most widely used for this kind of tool. Although some tools were indeed used as polearms, or evolved into them, this is way too heavy to be used effectively as a weapon. Similar examples coming from museums in Normandie (a well known cider producing region of France): https://collections.musees-normandie...b-8568daf8c665 https://collections.musees-normandie...b-8568daf8c665 https://collections.musees-normandie...b-8568daf8c665