Beheading Axe

[Cathey]

Hi Guys

I have almost completed photographing and cataloguing a friends extensive collection of curios, when I came across this item which he has listed as a Beheading Axe. I have no idea how to describe this or authenticate this item and would value any assistance someone might be able to offer, particularly with regard to the numerous marks on one side of the Blade.

Cheers Cathey

[David R]

The blade looks to be flat over to one side, in which case it is probably a side axe used for trimming logs square. Also known as a goose wing axe.
https://www.oldtoolstore.co.uk/side-axes-135-c.asp

[David]

I agree with David. This is almost certainly a goosewing hewing axe.
But here is a short article from the royal armouries discussing the difficulty with accurately identifying any axe as an executioner's axe.
https://royalarmouries.org/stories/our-collection/problems-identifying-heading-axes/

[shayde78]

Hi Cathey,

A couple years ago, I created a thread depicting illustrations from the Nuremberg Chonicle. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26105&highlight=Chronicle

The very first post includes a depiction of Cain killing Able with an ax AND a depiction of Noah's ark being built. The artist(s) depicted what would have been in use in the late 1400s. The axe you post looks very similar to the woodworking axes. The off-set head further indicates carpentry as being its purpose (as has already been said).

Hope this helps,
-Rob

[kronckew]

I read (in this forum) about an execution performed by a rather bad executioner, he used one of these side axes, didn'’t sharpen it and was purported to be drunk at the time. The executioner's aim was off, and it took quite a few blows, and sawing with a knife to accomplish his task. He was vilified and insulted roundly by the media of the time, and wrote his own pamphlet to excuse his act and blame somebody else. These axes are NOT designed for executions OR any other chopping other than squaring a beam by a right-handed man, and are imbalanced and awkward for any other use.

[Richard G]

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/axe-created-for-the-execution-of-the-cato-street-conspiracy-ringleaders

http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2020/09/08/execution-john-baird-andrew-hardie-8th-september-1820/

Best wishes
Richard

[Triarii]

I read (in this forum) about an execution performed by a rather bad executioner, he used one of these side axes, didn'’t sharpen it and was purported to be drunk at the time. The executioner's aim was off, and it took quite a few blows, and sawing with a knife to accomplish his task. He was vilified and insulted roundly by the media of the time, and wrote his own pamphlet to excuse his act and blame somebody else. These axes are NOT designed for executions OR any other chopping other than squaring a beam by a right-handed man, and are imbalanced and awkward for any other use.
Sounds very like the execution of the Duke of Monmouth, where he is supposed to have glared at the executioner whilst the botch job was going on.