isizenze - or not?

kronckew · 31st October 2015, 05:53 PM

just won this one on ebay, due in next week.

billed as a "SOUTH AFRICAN ZULU SHONA AXE" by the vendor, who was/is also selling anumber of other south african non-weapon items. the asymmetrical blade, haft, serrated back edge looked much like a zulu stabbing axe, the carved decor less zulu-ish, possibly a tribute weapon from a conquered shona neighbour? whatever it's origins, i like it.

the final conundrum - while there are eye-socketed axes up north in the arab/muslim areas of africa, the more southerly areas all seem to have a tang inserted in a perpendicular hole drilled/burnt into the haft, usually in a bend or bulbous area, tho the 'ceremonial' zulu ones seem to favour just going thru the main shaft in a weaker joint. i have a zulu axe with a heavy thick chevron blade that has the typical inserted tang reinforced with a steel sheet wrap and a 'keeper' under the peening on the obverse side. this new one has a socket and also a protrusion of a small half moon counter-blade - i will find out if it is sharp on arrival.

has anyone seen an axe like this before? thanks for any info y'all may have. i can't find anything similar here or via google/yahoo/bing/wiki.

Robert · 31st October 2015, 07:29 PM

Nice looking axe you've got there Kronckew. Is the cutting section of the blade braised onto the rest of the head or is it just my poor eyesight that makes it look like it is?

Best,
Robert

kronckew · 31st October 2015, 08:04 PM

won't know till it arrives. i was noticing that myself. hope it's a forge hammer weld or maybe a pitted area. i used irfanview to auto-correct the colours which were a bit dull in the originals, so the color is likely a bit off. anyway, it was not noted with any repairs in the vendor's spiel, so i can only hope....

Tim Simmons · 31st October 2015, 08:14 PM

The wood handle is not old and does not strike me as traditional South African Zulu work. Looks more northern to me. The axe blade might have some age.

kronckew · 31st October 2015, 08:19 PM

the blade join from the original vendor pics, no colour corrections, just enlarged a bit. not brassy looking, could be the join where it was hammer welded on one side. time will tell...

i read somewhere the northern shona in zimbabwe carved their hafts. the chequering over runs on this lead me to believe it was not a practised hand.

as long as it's NOT braised, i'll be a happy bunny. if it is, dems da breaks, will make a nice wall hanger. didn't pay a fortune for it.

estcrh · 31st October 2015, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

just won this one on ebay, due in next week.......has anyone seen an axe like this before? thanks for any info y'all may have. i can't find anything similar here or via google/yahoo/bing/wiki.

Here is an Indian one with a very similar head To close to be a coincidence?

kronckew · 1st November 2015, 02:09 AM

i think you've nailed it, estcrh.

so. it's indian, with the head on upside down. i think it's better that way

and re-hafted by a previous owner.

any ideas on what area of india?

thru the miracles of photoshop, your example whited out & imposed on mine:

estcrh · 1st November 2015, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

i think you've nailed it, estcrh.

so. it's indian, with the head on upside down. i think it's better that way

and re-hafted by a previous owner.

any ideas on what area of india?

thru the miracles of photoshop, your example whited out & imposed on mine:

The one I posted was the only example of this particular Indian axe head I have seen until you posted yours.

31st October 2015, 05:53 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	isizenze - or not? (not - it's indian) just won this one on ebay, due in next week. billed as a "SOUTH AFRICAN ZULU SHONA AXE" by the vendor, who was/is also selling anumber of other south african non-weapon items. the asymmetrical blade, haft, serrated back edge looked much like a zulu stabbing axe, the carved decor less zulu-ish, possibly a tribute weapon from a conquered shona neighbour? whatever it's origins, i like it. the final conundrum - while there are eye-socketed axes up north in the arab/muslim areas of africa, the more southerly areas all seem to have a tang inserted in a perpendicular hole drilled/burnt into the haft, usually in a bend or bulbous area, tho the 'ceremonial' zulu ones seem to favour just going thru the main shaft in a weaker joint. i have a zulu axe with a heavy thick chevron blade that has the typical inserted tang reinforced with a steel sheet wrap and a 'keeper' under the peening on the obverse side. this new one has a socket and also a protrusion of a small half moon counter-blade - i will find out if it is sharp on arrival. has anyone seen an axe like this before? thanks for any info y'all may have. i can't find anything similar here or via google/yahoo/bing/wiki. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 1st November 2015 at 02:11 AM.

31st October 2015, 08:19 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	the blade join from the original vendor pics, no colour corrections, just enlarged a bit. not brassy looking, could be the join where it was hammer welded on one side. time will tell... i read somewhere the northern shona in zimbabwe carved their hafts. the chequering over runs on this lead me to believe it was not a practised hand. as long as it's NOT braised, i'll be a happy bunny. if it is, dems da breaks, will make a nice wall hanger. didn't pay a fortune for it. Attached Images

1st November 2015, 02:09 AM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	i think you've nailed it, estcrh. so. it's indian, with the head on upside down. i think it's better that way and re-hafted by a previous owner. any ideas on what area of india? thru the miracles of photoshop, your example whited out & imposed on mine: Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 1st November 2015 at 02:26 AM.

31st October 2015, 07:29 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Nice looking axe you've got there Kronckew. Is the cutting section of the blade braised onto the rest of the head or is it just my poor eyesight that makes it look like it is? Best, Robert

31st October 2015, 08:04 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	won't know till it arrives. i was noticing that myself. hope it's a forge hammer weld or maybe a pitted area. i used irfanview to auto-correct the colours which were a bit dull in the originals, so the color is likely a bit off. anyway, it was not noted with any repairs in the vendor's spiel, so i can only hope....

31st October 2015, 08:14 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	The wood handle is not old and does not strike me as traditional South African Zulu work. Looks more northern to me. The axe blade might have some age.