Unusually large indian/persian axe ,tourist maybe ?

Iain · 21st September 2019, 02:59 PM

This is Sudanese. This style was in vogue during the Mhadist period.

ariel · 21st September 2019, 03:18 PM

I think it is ceremonial/parade example.
Fighting axes have wedge-like blades.

Tim Simmons · 21st September 2019, 04:14 PM

I am not convinced that these are only parade weapons. Weapon quality may also depend on the quality of the users. The peasantry and slaves would be armed. Still needing the etched encouraging slogans. In my experience a lot of these things are quite well made with good steel.

mahratt · 21st September 2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I think it is ceremonial/parade example.
Fighting axes have wedge-like blades.

I agree. Ariel expressed the right opinion

Tim Simmons · 21st September 2019, 08:05 PM

if you compare this kind of axe to the very simple and very effective axe weapons of southern Africa you can see how a glancing blow might take half of you face off. An opponent is very unlikely to fight back.

Kubur · 21st September 2019, 09:53 PM

I'm in between the positions here:
yes they are ritual or parade axes
yes they could have been used as weapons if they were brought on battlefield.
I can rip half of your face off with an iron or i can stab you with a butter knife.
As far i know derwish axes were also used as weapons sometimes.
Even not sharpened they could have been used as blunt weapons or maces...
Kubur

ariel · 22nd September 2019, 02:55 AM

My axe " Bible" is James Gamble " Axes of war and power"
P. 14: virtually identical Persian axe defined as " parade" and dated to 1875.
His sine qua non definition of a "war axe" is a V-construction.

Can we maim an opponent with that axe, slicing half of his face off, stabbing him with a straight protrusion at the top or just smashing his head by using an axe as a mace? Sure. But this is a AXE, and axes were supposed to cleave , not stab or bonk ( even in British jargon:-)) For that we have other weapons.

Ian · 22nd September 2019, 06:32 AM

Am I right in thinking the axe heads were cut from sheet metal, divided in two, and the halves welded to a multifaceted tube for mounting. The beveled edge suggests that the blades are of fairly uniform thinness throughout. Are the blades iron or steel?

21st September 2019, 02:59 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	This is Sudanese. This style was in vogue during the Mhadist period.

21st September 2019, 03:18 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I think it is ceremonial/parade example. Fighting axes have wedge-like blades.

21st September 2019, 04:14 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I am not convinced that these are only parade weapons. Weapon quality may also depend on the quality of the users. The peasantry and slaves would be armed. Still needing the etched encouraging slogans. In my experience a lot of these things are quite well made with good steel.

21st September 2019, 08:05 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	if you compare this kind of axe to the very simple and very effective axe weapons of southern Africa you can see how a glancing blow might take half of you face off. An opponent is very unlikely to fight back.

21st September 2019, 09:53 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I'm in between the positions here: yes they are ritual or parade axes yes they could have been used as weapons if they were brought on battlefield. I can rip half of your face off with an iron or i can stab you with a butter knife. As far i know derwish axes were also used as weapons sometimes. Even not sharpened they could have been used as blunt weapons or maces... Kubur

22nd September 2019, 02:55 AM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My axe " Bible" is James Gamble " Axes of war and power" P. 14: virtually identical Persian axe defined as " parade" and dated to 1875. His sine qua non definition of a "war axe" is a V-construction. Can we maim an opponent with that axe, slicing half of his face off, stabbing him with a straight protrusion at the top or just smashing his head by using an axe as a mace? Sure. But this is a AXE, and axes were supposed to cleave , not stab or bonk ( even in British jargon:-)) For that we have other weapons.

22nd September 2019, 06:32 AM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Am I right in thinking the axe heads were cut from sheet metal, divided in two, and the halves welded to a multifaceted tube for mounting. The beveled edge suggests that the blades are of fairly uniform thinness throughout. Are the blades iron or steel?