Thank you so much guys for such kind words!!! (as I adjust my mortarboard Ericlaude
, and it means a lot. I truly enjoy 'digging' as Jens notes, and to me its sort of historical data archaeology. There is so much behind the weapons themselves, and it is an incredibly fascinating journey searching for the answers. This forum is always at its best when we are all digging and learning together...and Iain thank you for the added notes on the eleven sephiroth, which I missed altogether and nicely adds to the understanding of this marking. I think your suggestion on the use of the capital G is very well placed, as well as the extra lines.
It is pretty well established that blacksmiths much as common folk, often, if not typically, were illiterate depending on location and period, and when applying markings or symbols by either description or copying certainly may not have been entirely faithful to the original design.
This is actually the first time I have seen this Tree of Life in this type configuration on a weapon, and in this case, what appears a 'heading' axe, so is extremely valuable for notes. Thank you again guys!
All the best,
Jim