Interesting Indian Axe.......Origin???

[CharlesS]

Here is an Ebay find that turned out to be a nice surprise. When I first saw it I was afraid it may be a ceremonial axe that would be lightweight and useless, but as soon as the parcel arrived I knew better without even opening it!

This axe is 38in. long with a separate bracketed blade of 15in. It is very sharp. The haft is all steel or iron and very heavy. The bottom of the haft is refined and tapers to a more crudish tip. It does not handle well with two hands, so I cannot imagine that this would be a foot soldier's weapon, but on horseback a guy with a strong arm and wrist could do real damage handling this somewhat like an elongated gurz, or mace.

Any ideas on its specific origins??? The bracketed blade reminds me of a bullova type.

[CourseEight]

For what it's worth, Egerton shows an axe of similar blade attachment in his Group I, figure 15, number 33. Description: "BATTLE-AXE; 'Taber;' long curve blade. Iron-bound shaft. Chota Nagpur "

Link:

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=WXcDAAAAYAAJ&dq=Egerton+Oriental+Arms+Armour&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=iJzD_IEtZh&sig=bjcPpw31q6037DasD5-3IwNM8B0&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA73,M1

[CharlesS]

Blade style is identical, no doubt. That one seems to have a heavier, wider haft, so easier to use with two hands.

Thanks for that reference, I had not looked there yet, and it's a terrific reference.