A Unique South German Late 15th Century Foot Soldier's Axe

Matchlock · 4th March 2012, 05:58 PM

This used to be in my collection some 20 years ago.

The head struck with a Gothic maker's mark of characteristic shape, a cross with four pellets, deeply struck three times in the Late Gothic tradition; the hardened blade significanty fire-welded (forge-welded) to the softer iron head. The original unstained ash haft branded with an (arsenal?) mark, N or Z (for Nuremberg or Zurich?).

Heavily patinated overall.

Overall length 119.7 cm, the head 27.4 x 22.0 cm.

Foot soldier's axes of this kind in perfect condition are almost unrecorded. There is an exact illustration of such a fighting axe in Albrecht Altdorfer's painting for the St. Sebastian altar in the monastery of St. Florian near Linz, Austria, 1515-19 (see attachments).

Best,
Michael

broadaxe · 4th March 2012, 10:20 PM

Nice one! That Germanic type remained in vogue for several centuries, unchanged, up to the 18th century. I have such similar axes in my collection.

Matchlock · 5th March 2012, 08:16 PM

Can we see them, PLEASE?!

m

broadaxe · 9th March 2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Can we see them, PLEASE?!

m

Gladly

although after looking at them they only similar, not exactly alike, though clearly of the same 'family'. The oldest one is the three-stamp with the cut out, appr. 1600-1650.

Matchlock · 9th March 2012, 08:13 PM

Not bad though I feel a bit relieved that none is actually as characteristically Gothic -and of huge dimensions! - as mine was.

m

broadaxe · 9th March 2012, 10:10 PM

Not those. I do have a gothic axe, circa 1500, but for woodworking.
Very similar to the one on the left here (woodcut by Durer, 1500):

4th March 2012, 05:58 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Unique South German Late 15th Century Foot Soldier's Axe This used to be in my collection some 20 years ago. The head struck with a Gothic maker's mark of characteristic shape, a cross with four pellets, deeply struck three times in the Late Gothic tradition; the hardened blade significanty fire-welded (forge-welded) to the softer iron head. The original unstained ash haft branded with an (arsenal?) mark, N or Z (for Nuremberg or Zurich?). Heavily patinated overall. Overall length 119.7 cm, the head 27.4 x 22.0 cm. Foot soldier's axes of this kind in perfect condition are almost unrecorded. There is an exact illustration of such a fighting axe in Albrecht Altdorfer's painting for the St. Sebastian altar in the monastery of St. Florian near Linz, Austria, 1515-19 (see attachments). Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 4th March 2012 at 08:30 PM.

9th March 2012, 10:10 PM	#6
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Not those. I do have a gothic axe, circa 1500, but for woodworking. Very similar to the one on the left here (woodcut by Durer, 1500): Attached Images

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4th March 2012, 10:20 PM	#2
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Nice one! That Germanic type remained in vogue for several centuries, unchanged, up to the 18th century. I have such similar axes in my collection.

5th March 2012, 08:16 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Can we see them, PLEASE?! m

9th March 2012, 08:13 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Not bad though I feel a bit relieved that none is actually as characteristically Gothic -and of huge dimensions! - as mine was. m