Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Remains of collection of antique/ancient axes for ID.

M ELEY · 22nd March 2011, 05:30 AM

I think another reason folks are shying away is that many of these axe-forms lasted for centuries without much change. Still, this is an awesome collection, Gene.
No expert by any means, but here is my stab at it-
1st appears 17th-18th century, classic colonial type as seen in Neumann's and Hartsler's tomahawk/Amer trade axe book.

2nd perhaps slightly earlier pattern of 16th going into 17th based on the bearding/flare at bottom of edge

3rd a type seen as Michael pointed out -17th through 18th c.

4th- Not too familiar with this one, appears very early, so Michael pegged it

5th- as similar to above

6th- not so sure, but this type also goes back a long ways, so anywhere from midaevel to 17th century is a guess.

These axe types were used as both weapons and tools interchangibly. You will note their differences from the typical broadaxes and hewing axes of the period. The first 3 types made it to America and were popular trading axes between the fur traders and Native Americans (thus, used as weapon-tools), a subject fascinating by itself. Again, a very nice collection!

22nd March 2011, 05:30 AM	#15
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,073	I think another reason folks are shying away is that many of these axe-forms lasted for centuries without much change. Still, this is an awesome collection, Gene. No expert by any means, but here is my stab at it- 1st appears 17th-18th century, classic colonial type as seen in Neumann's and Hartsler's tomahawk/Amer trade axe book. 2nd perhaps slightly earlier pattern of 16th going into 17th based on the bearding/flare at bottom of edge 3rd a type seen as Michael pointed out -17th through 18th c. 4th- Not too familiar with this one, appears very early, so Michael pegged it 5th- as similar to above 6th- not so sure, but this type also goes back a long ways, so anywhere from midaevel to 17th century is a guess. These axe types were used as both weapons and tools interchangibly. You will note their differences from the typical broadaxes and hewing axes of the period. The first 3 types made it to America and were popular trading axes between the fur traders and Native Americans (thus, used as weapon-tools), a subject fascinating by itself. Again, a very nice collection!