Introduction of a new forum member

Trond · 24th January 2011, 09:40 AM

My collection of battle axes is rather modest, I started collecting these only a few years ago and so far have 4,5... # 1, 3 & 4 are A-axes, almost identical to the viking axe. # 2 is a C-axe.

The top 1/4 of the handle on the axe to the left is the original from the 1600s, the rest of the handles are "new" - probably some 150 years old in average.

The one to the far right is a "bergmanns stav" - a miners staff from 1792. These usually came with a symbolic brass or kopper axe head, but this one is all birch. It's origin might be from the Kongsberg silver mines or the Røros kopper mines.

I find that it belongs in an axe collection although it really is not an axe.

Trond

Lee · 24th January 2011, 05:02 PM

Welcome to our forums community Trond! I have, without knowing exactly what they were, admired the form of the seldom encountered (by me) Norwegian battle axes without knowing exactly what they really were. I was fortunate to acquire an example several years ago and I knew it had to be Nordic, but I was left with a lot of doubts about dating and actual national origin. It is a rare thread that appears and resoundingly answers such a long nagging question.

I will try and get some decently detailed photos of my axe prepared, for now there is a tiny photo under my name to the left. The form is very similar to your example on the left, including the crescentic maker's mark.

When I first acquired the axe I thought it was such a shame that the handle was so warped. Then when I examined it more closely, I realized the blade was also 'bent' in the same curve and that the whole axe would lay flat on a sphere of several meters diameter. I am suspecting this curve is, like the angled mounting of the axehead, a refinement to make the tool more effective and it really shows just how sophisticated the design and fabrication was.

laEspadaAncha · 24th January 2011, 05:45 PM

Fascinating pieces, Trond, and welcome to the forum.

fernando · 24th January 2011, 06:20 PM

Meget interessante eksempler, Trond

I see that your wife is even more tolerant than mine

.

Matchlock · 24th January 2011, 07:18 PM

Hi Trond,
And welcome to the forum!

Your range of collecting is astonishingly multi-faceted, thanks for sharing!

Best,
Michael

Trond · 24th January 2011, 08:04 PM

Lee's axe seems to be a Norwegian A-axe, possibly with the original handle (very scarce!). The A-axe was often nicely engraved and one of these with the original shaft/handle is a really great (and rather valuable) find.

While ordinary axes usually only strikes a blow, the Norwegian battle axe both strikes and cuts, thereby being more effective and creating more damage than an axe with a straight handle - at least in theory.

I have a little page on Norwegian battle axes at Norwegian Battle axes. If you click the pictures, they get enlarged.

Trond

VANDOO · 24th January 2011, 09:57 PM

WELCOME TROND

ITS GREAT TO HAVE A FORUM MEMBER WITH KNOWLEGE AND A GREAT COLLECTION SPECIALIZING IN ITEMS FROM NORWAY. WHERE I LIVE SEEING SUCH ITEMS IS VERY RARE.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FACINATED BY NORSEMEN/ VIKINGS AND ALL THE GREAT STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. NO DOUBT WE ALL WERE FACINATED AT AN EARLY AGE WITH STORIES OF GREAT WARRIORS AND SUCH. I KNEW OF THE NORSEMEN AND THEIR WARRIOR BELIEFS BEFORE I HAD EVEN HEARD OF THE SAMURAI OF JAPAN SO THOUGH BOTH WERE GREAT WARRIORS I STILL FEEL CLOSER TO THEM.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FURTHER POST FROM YOU AND ESPECIALLY LOVE THOSE AXES.

24th January 2011, 05:02 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	Norwegian Battle Axes Welcome to our forums community Trond! I have, without knowing exactly what they were, admired the form of the seldom encountered (by me) Norwegian battle axes without knowing exactly what they really were. I was fortunate to acquire an example several years ago and I knew it had to be Nordic, but I was left with a lot of doubts about dating and actual national origin. It is a rare thread that appears and resoundingly answers such a long nagging question. I will try and get some decently detailed photos of my axe prepared, for now there is a tiny photo under my name to the left. The form is very similar to your example on the left, including the crescentic maker's mark. When I first acquired the axe I thought it was such a shame that the handle was so warped. Then when I examined it more closely, I realized the blade was also 'bent' in the same curve and that the whole axe would lay flat on a sphere of several meters diameter. I am suspecting this curve is, like the angled mounting of the axehead, a refinement to make the tool more effective and it really shows just how sophisticated the design and fabrication was.

24th January 2011, 07:18 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Trond, And welcome to the forum! Your range of collecting is astonishingly multi-faceted, thanks for sharing! Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 24th January 2011 at 07:57 PM.

24th January 2011, 09:40 AM	#1
Trond Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 30	My collection of battle axes is rather modest, I started collecting these only a few years ago and so far have 4,5... # 1, 3 & 4 are A-axes, almost identical to the viking axe. # 2 is a C-axe. The top 1/4 of the handle on the axe to the left is the original from the 1600s, the rest of the handles are "new" - probably some 150 years old in average. The one to the far right is a "bergmanns stav" - a miners staff from 1792. These usually came with a symbolic brass or kopper axe head, but this one is all birch. It's origin might be from the Kongsberg silver mines or the Røros kopper mines. I find that it belongs in an axe collection although it really is not an axe. Trond

24th January 2011, 05:45 PM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Fascinating pieces, Trond, and welcome to the forum.

24th January 2011, 06:20 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Meget interessante eksempler, Trond I see that your wife is even more tolerant than mine .

24th January 2011, 08:04 PM	#6
Trond Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 30	Lee's axe seems to be a Norwegian A-axe, possibly with the original handle (very scarce!). The A-axe was often nicely engraved and one of these with the original shaft/handle is a really great (and rather valuable) find. While ordinary axes usually only strikes a blow, the Norwegian battle axe both strikes and cuts, thereby being more effective and creating more damage than an axe with a straight handle - at least in theory. I have a little page on Norwegian battle axes at Norwegian Battle axes. If you click the pictures, they get enlarged. Trond

24th January 2011, 09:57 PM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	WELCOME TROND ITS GREAT TO HAVE A FORUM MEMBER WITH KNOWLEGE AND A GREAT COLLECTION SPECIALIZING IN ITEMS FROM NORWAY. WHERE I LIVE SEEING SUCH ITEMS IS VERY RARE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FACINATED BY NORSEMEN/ VIKINGS AND ALL THE GREAT STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. NO DOUBT WE ALL WERE FACINATED AT AN EARLY AGE WITH STORIES OF GREAT WARRIORS AND SUCH. I KNEW OF THE NORSEMEN AND THEIR WARRIOR BELIEFS BEFORE I HAD EVEN HEARD OF THE SAMURAI OF JAPAN SO THOUGH BOTH WERE GREAT WARRIORS I STILL FEEL CLOSER TO THEM. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FURTHER POST FROM YOU AND ESPECIALLY LOVE THOSE AXES.