Qajar Era Ceremonial Choppers/Axes

CharlesS · 18th December 2014, 05:19 PM

I acquired these two very unique Qajar era all steel axes/choppers recently. I have never seen anything quite like them. At first glance I thought they were Indian bhujs.

Apparently these are ceremonial things and are another in a long line of fakir(holy man) weapons that are mostly for looks. Please see the pic below.

While they are almost certainly ceremonial, they are also fit weapons, most especially the shorter one, which is quite heavy and features a thick blade. Neither piece is particularly well balanced.

Note the decent quality of the typically Qajar era chiseling on the longer one, which is also decorated in gold koftgari. The silver koftgari on the all steel haft is rather crudely applied.

The shorter one also had some gold koftgari to the top of the blade's sides, but most of it has been lost. The chiseling here is superior, at least to my eye.

Dimensions:

Top example: 32in. overall, with a 18.5in. blade that is 2in. wide at its widest point.

Bottom example: 24.5in. overall, with a 12in. blade that is 2.5in. wide at its widest point.

The photo of a man standing with a similar piece was provided by Runjeet Singh via Eric Tulin. Thanks to both!

A.alnakkas · 19th December 2014, 05:14 AM

very interesting weapons! first time I see them.. If you notice the weapon in the old photo, the construction is different, especially how the blade is attached to the shaft. I wonder if there are other battle worthy examples out there.

kronckew · 19th December 2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

... especially how the blade is attached to the shaft. ...

the poor blade/shaft weld doesn't fill me with confidence it could survive actual use.

BANDOOK · 19th December 2014, 10:43 AM

THESE ARE VINTAGE 25 YEARS PLUS ,BUT LOOK GOOD ,NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THESE,GOOD CRAFTMANSHIP

Runjeet Singh · 19th December 2014, 12:04 PM

Hi Charles,

The Dervish pic credit I believe belongs to Eric from this forum - "Estrch". I had it saved, and I think it was Eric who sent it to me.

Regarding the real use of these weapons, I believe they would be fine for 'civilian' use. I would not want to be hit by one!! But perhaps the other forum members are right too, they would not stand a heavy battle.

You have them in your hands Charles, what's your opinion?

Regards
Runjeet

estcrh · 19th December 2014, 01:29 PM

So now there are four known images of these weapons, it is interesting that they have been able to remain hidden. There must be some more information on them somewere.

CharlesS · 19th December 2014, 02:18 PM

Another one that is somewhat similar at least in the idea of it.

trenchwarfare · 19th December 2014, 02:29 PM

As stated, the ones in the period photos look to be more substantially made. With the welds being so obvious, and not very well dressed, I'm thinking the ones shown here, are either ceremonial, or purely older tourista examples. None the less, very attractive weapons.

Sancar · 20th December 2014, 07:29 AM

I wonder if those dervish poleaxes are specific to a certain tasavvufi order in Iran?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 23rd December 2014, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Another one that is somewhat similar at least in the idea of it.

Salaams Charles S , Here you picture exactly the apparel worn by Suffi Dervish including the Begging Bowl (KashKull) and the prayer beads...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Kubur · 15th January 2020, 06:32 PM

Let me add another one found recently...

18th December 2014, 05:19 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Qajar Era Ceremonial Choppers/Axes I acquired these two very unique Qajar era all steel axes/choppers recently. I have never seen anything quite like them. At first glance I thought they were Indian bhujs. Apparently these are ceremonial things and are another in a long line of fakir(holy man) weapons that are mostly for looks. Please see the pic below. While they are almost certainly ceremonial, they are also fit weapons, most especially the shorter one, which is quite heavy and features a thick blade. Neither piece is particularly well balanced. Note the decent quality of the typically Qajar era chiseling on the longer one, which is also decorated in gold koftgari. The silver koftgari on the all steel haft is rather crudely applied. The shorter one also had some gold koftgari to the top of the blade's sides, but most of it has been lost. The chiseling here is superior, at least to my eye. Dimensions: Top example: 32in. overall, with a 18.5in. blade that is 2in. wide at its widest point. Bottom example: 24.5in. overall, with a 12in. blade that is 2.5in. wide at its widest point. The photo of a man standing with a similar piece was provided by Runjeet Singh via Eric Tulin. Thanks to both! Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 19th December 2014 at 12:21 PM.

19th December 2014, 10:43 AM	#4
BANDOOK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Posts: 624	very differnt THESE ARE VINTAGE 25 YEARS PLUS ,BUT LOOK GOOD ,NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THESE,GOOD CRAFTMANSHIP

19th December 2014, 01:29 PM	#6
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	So now there are four known images of these weapons, it is interesting that they have been able to remain hidden. There must be some more information on them somewere. Attached Images

19th December 2014, 02:18 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Another one that is somewhat similar at least in the idea of it. Attached Images

15th January 2020, 06:32 PM	#11
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Let me add another one found recently... Attached Images

19th December 2014, 05:14 AM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	very interesting weapons! first time I see them.. If you notice the weapon in the old photo, the construction is different, especially how the blade is attached to the shaft. I wonder if there are other battle worthy examples out there.

19th December 2014, 12:04 PM	#5
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Hi Charles, The Dervish pic credit I believe belongs to Eric from this forum - "Estrch". I had it saved, and I think it was Eric who sent it to me. Regarding the real use of these weapons, I believe they would be fine for 'civilian' use. I would not want to be hit by one!! But perhaps the other forum members are right too, they would not stand a heavy battle. You have them in your hands Charles, what's your opinion? Regards Runjeet

19th December 2014, 02:29 PM	#8
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	As stated, the ones in the period photos look to be more substantially made. With the welds being so obvious, and not very well dressed, I'm thinking the ones shown here, are either ceremonial, or purely older tourista examples. None the less, very attractive weapons.

20th December 2014, 07:29 AM	#9
Sancar Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 79	I wonder if those dervish poleaxes are specific to a certain tasavvufi order in Iran?