Unknown Axe for Identification......Please

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 03:02 PM

Great question; it is made of iron.

Ren Ren · 5th February 2021, 04:59 PM

I think it looked like these Vietnamese items.

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 05:48 PM

Great picture, it sure looks like a match, thanks! Would you guess the age to be the 19th century; older, newer?

kronckew · 5th February 2021, 06:18 PM

Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel

Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me.

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 08:08 PM

Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

Ren Ren · 5th February 2021, 09:33 PM

The photo shows the Nam Giao ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. It was held on the esplanade of the Imperial Palace in Hue from the beginning of the 19th century until 1945 without changes. Therefore, I find it difficult to guess at what time period the subject belongs.

kronckew · 6th February 2021, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

The ones I posted also may partially be samrit - cast to hold the iron/steel bits. Samrit is the South East Asian bronze alloy that can also contain precious metals, and may have a high tin content, so the color varies from golden yellow to very silvery if kept polished, and can age to a more bronzy brown-black. Not sure what they call it in Vietnam.

Ren Ren · 5th February 2021, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel

Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me.

I'm sure this is a ceremonial weapon. It was used very often in Vietnam and was not always made of metal

There was a large amount of wood, painted with varnishes of different colors.

Also I have doubts about the barrel of a firearm. Such a weapon had no sacred power for the Vietnamese and I am not aware of its use in ceremonies.

drac2k · 5th February 2021, 11:45 PM

Thanks again!

5th February 2021, 04:59 PM	#2
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	I think it looked like these Vietnamese items. Attached Images

5th February 2021, 06:18 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	Good photo, Ren Ren! Looks like you nailed it. A pole axe as I suspected. Wonder what the white bit sticking out the mouths are tho. looks blunt, but I do not think it's a matchlock barrel Found this photo of a 19c Viet dragon glave and elephant halberd: The halberd's spear-point looks distinctly weird and 'ceremonial' to me. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 5th February 2021 at 06:36 PM.

5th February 2021, 03:02 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Great question; it is made of iron.

5th February 2021, 05:48 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Great picture, it sure looks like a match, thanks! Would you guess the age to be the 19th century; older, newer?

5th February 2021, 08:08 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thank you as well Kronckew for those excellent pictures. Is it possible that since my friend's piece is iron as opposed to brass, that it may for actual combat use or older?

5th February 2021, 09:33 PM	#6
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	The photo shows the Nam Giao ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. It was held on the esplanade of the Imperial Palace in Hue from the beginning of the 19th century until 1945 without changes. Therefore, I find it difficult to guess at what time period the subject belongs.

5th February 2021, 11:45 PM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thanks again!