Small axes for ID

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by kronckew

not sure how i missed this thread, musta been while i was moving...

the eastern european area around romania/hungary/southern poland saw a small axe known as the fokos or ciupaga, used as protection against wolves. two and four legged. originally in steel, they were later outlawed if steel, so were then made in brass or bronze. they were of walking stick length and normally had an alpine point on the end. the shafts were carved artistically and painted. these were alluded to in the 'shepard's axe' reference posted earlier by atlantia (post 37).

these are my two: the silvery one is plated brass.


this one has an engraved sheet brass guard attached over the sharpened edge.

out of fashion, and they were then supplied carved and painted entirely out of wood (see the shepard's axe ref), but in the same 'axe' shape. there has been a revival of steel fokos being made in hungary, tho i'm not sure how legal they are there.


for our arab friend, ibrahim, (salaam aliakum) here is my small arabian axe:



i've always been amazed at how small the axe head is. it's razor sharp by the way... and thanks for the additional information, ibrahim.

I see the modern 'walking axes' occasionally, but as you rightly say, most are just carved axes shaped wood now. The arabian axe is an unusual find
The debate on my pair contines off-line, a recent popular conclusion is Ottoman Turkish.

Best
Gene

[David R]

Have you considered that these axes might be Turcoman. I have found in the past that a weapon that defied identification, was eventually found to be most likely from that Central Asian people. Their location made them prone to influences from a wide number of places, India, Iran Russia and even China, and as infamous slavers they got everywhere.