Indo Persian Battle Axe

[Iliad]

Greetings to you, Ibrahiim,
Thank you for your prompt and helpful reply. You have convinced me that my axe is indeed a parade axe. Your references are most impressive.
It seems that the main feature which distinguishes a battle axe from a parade axe would be the weight, a battle axe requiring a substantial weight to be truly effective.
Please now explain to me the circumstances in which a parade axe might be used? And why not the heavier battle axe, since the battle axe would be readily available to soldiers?
Best wishes,
Brian

[Horsa]

Parade axe is for non-military use - I think it is a combination of official use and religious such as the Sufi ceremonies. There are some good previous threads on this topic.

Well made examples of these flat Persian crescent shaped axes can be found in the major collections in Europe so they do have collectable and historic value. The challenge is to find good quality workmanship and avoid the poorly made examples that were just for the tourist market. So they are ok, as long as you understand they are not for military use then you wont be disappointed.

There are some crescent axes out there that were indeed for military use however. Like the Bardiche, certain types of european cavalry axe and other types of Islamic axes. But the one looks very typical Qajar.

[Iliad]

Horsa,
thank you for your assistance, much valued. I have just increased my store of knowledge.
Best,
Brian

[Iliad]

I have just had another thought..................if there are such things as parade axes, are there also Parade spears/lances, parade swords, Parade daggers, Parade shields, parade polearms?
I am not trying to be clever, I really want to know.
Brian

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Iliad

I have just had another thought..................if there are such things as parade axes, are there also Parade spears/lances, parade swords, Parade daggers, Parade shields, parade polearms?
I am not trying to be clever, I really want to know.
Brian

In a way, yes ... as also Cerimonial, Processional, Masonic; like swords with gold sheaths and hilts, loaded with jewels often with a non sharp edge; polearms with exuberant decorations, etc. A great lot of stuff is developed to show signs of power or and wealth, or to perform rituals, not directioned to combat purposes.
But you also know all that, if you give it a thought .

[estcrh]

If you want to see examples of axes take a look here.

http://www.pinterest.com/samuraianti...ammer-and-axe/

[Iliad]

Originally Posted by estcrh

If you want to see examples of axes take a look here.

http://www.pinterest.com/samuraianti...ammer-and-axe/

I have looked at this link and am amazed at the variety and quality of the items shown. Thank you so much for providing the reference.
Brian

[Timo Nieminen]

Originally Posted by Iliad

I have just had another thought..................if there are such things as parade axes, are there also Parade spears/lances, parade swords, Parade daggers, Parade shields, parade polearms?

For sure. Ornate, and not sharp can tell you "parade". (Why not sharp? You don't want your ceremonial guards accidentally getting hurt.) When firearms make various cold weapons obsolete, they sometimes live on as parade weapons. It's still done - modern soldiers still have parade swords.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Iliad

Greetings to you, Ibrahiim,
Thank you for your prompt and helpful reply. You have convinced me that my axe is indeed a parade axe. Your references are most impressive.
It seems that the main feature which distinguishes a battle axe from a parade axe would be the weight, a battle axe requiring a substantial weight to be truly effective.
Please now explain to me the circumstances in which a parade axe might be used? And why not the heavier battle axe, since the battle axe would be readily available to soldiers?
Best wishes,
Brian

Salaams Iliad, I think you have the answer right there... Parade axes and parade weapons of the Qajar Dynasty were highly ornate and often less weighty than the battlefield items. Yes there are indeed swords and other items in the Qajar parade weapon structure all generally heavily ornate but obviously not for fighting. (some less obvious than others!) The Qajar Dynasty ended in about 1923 and by then a lot of the old weapons were relegated to museums and/or out of service... so here was the opportunity to copy weaponry for parade use ... pomp, pageantry and a show of strength etc. I describe some axes as battle axe when I should really use the term Saddle Axe for the thick heavy single hammer axe combination.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Timo Nieminen]

Originally Posted by Iliad

It seems that the main feature which distinguishes a battle axe from a parade axe would be the weight, a battle axe requiring a substantial weight to be truly effective.

IMO, no. 560g of battle axe, large and potentially two-handed, says otherwise. Small one-handed battle axes can be significantly lighter. Battle axes are not beastly massive cleavers, they're usually light and agile - all the better for slicing and dicing. Light = fast. Fast = you actually hit the target.

Well, if a big axe is really lightweight compared with 500-800g or so, then weight might distinguish. OTOH, excessive weight can also diagnose parade weapons. Or distinguish tools from weapons - tool axes are often much heavier than battle axes of similar size.