Unknown Axe for Identification......Please

[drac2k]

Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

[Ren Ren]

The photo shows the Nam Giao ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. It was held on the esplanade of the Imperial Palace in Hue from the beginning of the 19th century until 1945 without changes. Therefore, I find it difficult to guess at what time period the subject belongs.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

The ones I posted also may partially be samrit - cast to hold the iron/steel bits. Samrit is the South East Asian bronze alloy that can also contain precious metals, and may have a high tin content, so the color varies from golden yellow to very silvery if kept polished, and can age to a more bronzy brown-black. Not sure what they call it in Vietnam.