just won another hard fought auction, beating off hoards of wealthy bidders and paying more than i can afford, but i couldn't let this one go as i was curious about it. billed as a tabar zin, or horseman's axe. e-bay no. 140275308893 for those who have the inclination. appears to be quite a small axehead if the shaft is 35in...
Axehead close-up
bit of a split in the haft, looks like it may be a recent replacement. will be interested in the measurements when it arrives....
overall view.
e-bay description:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by captain hogspear
We believe this item to be a Tabar Zin or tabar-i-zin (sometimes translated "saddle-hatchet"). It is an example of the traditional battle axe of Persia and Iran. The tabar is sometimes carried as a symbolic weapon by wandering dervishes (Muslim ascetic worshippers).
It is important to note that Persian weaponry is at times identical to East Indian weaponry because these two cultures have intermingled many times over the century.
"Tabar" means axe, and "zin" has to do with hanging from a horse. Some sources say that zin comes from "zar", the ancient word for war.
Approx 35" long. We are unsure of its age, late Victorian/early 20th century. Good condition. Lady Hogspear is keen that Captain Hogspear is parted from it, due to his recent propensity to frolic about and pursue her around the kitchen table with it.
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little outside my normal area of interest, but i seem to be an axe magnet recently, this is my 4th in as many months. does this sound like a 'tabar zin' ?