OLD AXE ....but what type ? Tabar ?

katana · 19th April 2009, 08:39 PM

Hi Norman

,
thanks for the input. They do look very similar, if it is a fireman's axe the spike must have been removed very early in its life as the surface 'patina' is fairly uniform over the 'heads' entire surface.
I would estimate that the latest date for the axe.....judging by the oxidation, is likely mid / late 19th C. Will investigate to see if fire axes all have spikes....perhaps this is a less common variant or early version.

The head fitted to a longer handle would certainly make a fine saddle axe

Kind Regards David

Atlantia · 19th April 2009, 09:20 PM

Not completely sure, but I think these are WW2ish up to about the 60s.
Could be earlier I guess or a proto?

katana · 19th April 2009, 11:38 PM

Hi Gene

,
thanks for your comments....a quick search on the net suggets that not all fire axes have the spike. The 'spike-less' type used to break locks or 'batter' the hinges of doors etc.

Interestingly Victorian firemen tended to be recuited from ex-naval personnel ....perhaps that is why the design of axe is often mis-ID'ed as a boarding axe, as the design was more 'familiar' to the 'Tars' and I suppose adopted.

All the best

David

PS I've resigned myself to the fact that the axe is not a weapon

but it is nicely made

.....and it did cost me the princely sum of 30 pence.

...so a little disappointed

19th April 2009, 09:20 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Not completely sure, but I think these are WW2ish up to about the 60s. Could be earlier I guess or a proto? Last edited by Atlantia; 19th April 2009 at 09:32 PM.

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19th April 2009, 08:39 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Norman , thanks for the input. They do look very similar, if it is a fireman's axe the spike must have been removed very early in its life as the surface 'patina' is fairly uniform over the 'heads' entire surface. I would estimate that the latest date for the axe.....judging by the oxidation, is likely mid / late 19th C. Will investigate to see if fire axes all have spikes....perhaps this is a less common variant or early version. The head fitted to a longer handle would certainly make a fine saddle axe Kind Regards David

19th April 2009, 11:38 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Gene , thanks for your comments....a quick search on the net suggets that not all fire axes have the spike. The 'spike-less' type used to break locks or 'batter' the hinges of doors etc. Interestingly Victorian firemen tended to be recuited from ex-naval personnel ....perhaps that is why the design of axe is often mis-ID'ed as a boarding axe, as the design was more 'familiar' to the 'Tars' and I suppose adopted. All the best David PS I've resigned myself to the fact that the axe is not a weapon but it is nicely made .....and it did cost me the princely sum of 30 pence. ...so a little disappointed