An Attractive and Vicious Indian Battle Axe / Show Us Your Indian Axes!

estcrh · 5th July 2016, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

The multitude of Indian battle axe styles and some of their strange, and dubiuous axe heads that sometimes make you wonder how they were used is a fascination for me.

Charles, I m glad I did not bid against you, I have a similar one and decided to hold off. Not a commonly seen style.

George Stone shows some interesting axe variations in his book.

estcrh · 5th July 2016, 08:22 PM

Indian axe, the very heavy steel head inlaid with brass and silver designs, the wooden haft reinforced with steel along its length and with applied brass rosettes.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 03:02 AM

A plain one of the same type.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estcrh

Charles, I m glad I did not bid against you, I have a similar one and decided to hold off. Not a commonly seen style.

Charles, as you pointed out to me the one I saw was not the one you now own, I should have looked closer. Here is the one I mentioned.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 05:01 PM

Here are some examples from Junagarh Fort Museum, India.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 05:21 PM

I have found this type being called "tungi", Indian, mid-19th century, curved iron head; wooden shaft painted with geometrical designs.Illustrated in "Islamic Weapons - Maghrib to Moghul" di Anthony C. Tirri", pag. 339, fig. 254B.
Used by the Khond people of Southern India.

estcrh · 6th July 2016, 05:24 PM

Here is another two "tungi", the top one is from Terri's book, the lower one is mine, it has a very long shaft.

CharlesS · 6th July 2016, 07:32 PM

see below

CharlesS · 6th July 2016, 07:36 PM

Some amazing displays! Thanks for the input and sharing examples. The riveted haft certainly seems to the norm. That is the first I have seen with horn inserts, and it's very attractive.

Royston, the brass bands added to the rivets must make for an incredibly sturdy haft!

With the "tungi" I just couldn't help but wonder if the axe head was on backwards, but I suppose not.

In the the display pics the more "traditional" axe heads seem to predominate, but the "L" shaped heads with straight line edges were obviously popular too. I have always found those a bit odd to handle. I am assuming there was a certain method to maximizing their use.

Thanks again for the input, and the great pics!

5th July 2016, 08:22 PM	#2
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	Indian axe, the very heavy steel head inlaid with brass and silver designs, the wooden haft reinforced with steel along its length and with applied brass rosettes. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 03:02 AM	#3
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	A plain one of the same type. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 05:01 PM	#5
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	Here are some examples from Junagarh Fort Museum, India. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 05:21 PM	#6
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	I have found this type being called "tungi", Indian, mid-19th century, curved iron head; wooden shaft painted with geometrical designs.Illustrated in "Islamic Weapons - Maghrib to Moghul" di Anthony C. Tirri", pag. 339, fig. 254B. Used by the Khond people of Southern India. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 05:24 PM	#7
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	Here is another two "tungi", the top one is from Terri's book, the lower one is mine, it has a very long shaft. Attached Images

6th July 2016, 07:32 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	see below

6th July 2016, 07:36 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Some amazing displays! Thanks for the input and sharing examples. The riveted haft certainly seems to the norm. That is the first I have seen with horn inserts, and it's very attractive. Royston, the brass bands added to the rivets must make for an incredibly sturdy haft! With the "tungi" I just couldn't help but wonder if the axe head was on backwards, but I suppose not. In the the display pics the more "traditional" axe heads seem to predominate, but the "L" shaped heads with straight line edges were obviously popular too. I have always found those a bit odd to handle. I am assuming there was a certain method to maximizing their use. Thanks again for the input, and the great pics!

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