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

[CharlesS]

see below

[CharlesS]

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!

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
My one and only Indian axe. Rattan shaft with steel finial top and bottom. Blade still sharp with original red 'paint'.
Regards,
Norman.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

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

The axe tungi axe head could have been made / mounted in a way that identified the individuals who used them as belonging to a particular tribe.

Here is another unusual example.

Burmese axe with curved head and fan shaped blade. The head cast and painted black and red. Octagonal head fits onto shaft with turned wooden handle,painted in bands of red, green, yellow and black. Tear-shaped terminal, 740 mm (Length). Given to the Field Marshal in Burma. Gunby Hall Estate, Lincolnshire.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

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.

Here is an L shaped Indian axe that I have, it looks like it originally had a spike at the top of the head and maybe some battle scares.

[estcrh]

A couple more, described as being "Southern Indian".

[Timo Nieminen]

My Indian axes (I have some unmounted heads, but I need to search to find them all for a group shot).

Long axes: The top one has a modern haft, but the head is supposed to be old. The bottom one is a beautiful 440g of axey goodness.

Short axes: The top and bottoms ones are modern. Second from the top is old. Second from the bottom is supposed to be old, but I think it's modern. But I like it anyway.