Halberd Axe?

mgolab · 6th June 2023, 01:44 PM

Hi Everyone:

I am new to this forum but have been following along for some time and wanted to join. I was hoping to gain some insight or comments on this axe in my collection. It came out of Baldwin County, Alabama and seems to resemble a Halberd axe/tomahawk. The handle appears newer but the iron is tang/peen through the bottom. Appears to be forged. Looks like a plating was applied to the iron. Overall measures 27 inches.

Thanks for any comments.

Mark

kronckew · 7th June 2023, 08:04 AM

A photo of the whole item might help, ̶I̶'̶v̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶b̶b̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶p̶h̶o̶t̶o̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶.̶ Doesn't look like anything I've seen before, looks a bit clumsy & hard to carry into a battle. Is it sharp? Is the grip stacked leather? The head looks like it may have been scarf (forge) welded to the rest of it. How thick is it? Looks like it might bend sideways easily. Homemade for home defense? Trench weapon? Looks European. Probably should be merged into your duplicate post there. If it was plated, it may just be a 'fantasy' wall hanger. looks too new to have been for repelling Yankees in Mobile.

p.s.- My family lives mostly around Cullman Co., Alabama, a bit further north.

fernando · 7th June 2023, 09:35 AM

Mark, i guess Wayne is right in wondering what your item is about. Hopefully you will answer (some of) the questions he raised.
Let us then copy your thread to the Euro forum.

Gavin Nugent · 7th June 2023, 11:19 AM

Looks like a vintage Estwing or Marbles type throwing axe... I doubt either of those brands, but the head shape fits the odder throwing types and the stacked leather grip and what looks to be plated pommel cap and potentially the half too, puts it in these age bracket to my eye.

If you live locally to where it was sourced, seek out an old timer who specialises in throwing sharp pointy things, they might have some insight as it is a very popular sport down that way... might be worth going over it with a magnifying glass too... given the age and the plated surface now peeling, there might be a feint makers stamp on the metal somewhere....

Edit Edit... I reached out to a friend who specialises in throwing things of all shapes and sizes... he said the handle screams custom made... and by design it is fit for purpose.

mgolab · 7th June 2023, 01:41 PM

Thank you everyone for your feedback and comments. I have attached a full length picture.

The piece is 27 inches overall, weight 2.5Ibs and head length is 5.5 inches. The head is relatively thin but feels like it could hold up and not bend if striking something. The handle looks like it was added at a later date and does appear to be leather. The head edges appear to have been sharp at one point and now dulled. Just reminds me of a primitive halberd head....

Assuming the piece originated in Baldwin County, Alabama (which I know is nearly impossible to determine), I know that area has an interesting history from say 1750 to 1813.

Appreciate any further comments.

Mark

wildwolberine · 7th June 2023, 11:17 PM

My two cents: I feel the stacked leather washer construction (if that’s the case) suggests a mid century vintage. I recently sold a Vietnam era Clark AFB/Subic Bay bolo/Bowie knife that had a similar pommel.

Hotspur · 8th June 2023, 07:29 AM

It might possibly be a WWII or Vietnam 'theater' made personal weapon. The metal spacers are quite common and knives like the EG Waterman knives sometimes had added spacers and some came with some them.

I have sent the photo to another board.
https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...ater-hurl-bat/

Cheers
GC

Ian · 8th June 2023, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildwolberine

My two cents: I feel the stacked leather washer construction (if that’s the case) suggests a mid century vintage. I recently sold a Vietnam era Clark AFB/Subic Bay bolo/Bowie knife that had a similar pommel.

Hi WW, Yes the stacked hilt made of leather washers is a familiar GI style dating at least as far back as WWII, maybe earlier. Case® have made a commercial stacked-leather hilt sheath knife for many years also.

fernando · 8th June 2023, 05:26 PM

So ... definitely a bizarre implement ? Too large and clumsy for throwing or the head of a halberd. The center spike, for one, would not function, as not prominent enough between the side 'blades'. Some personally minded setup, even a prop ?
Certainly not a real weapon, would i venture ?

6th June 2023, 01:44 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 35	Halberd Axe? Hi Everyone: I am new to this forum but have been following along for some time and wanted to join. I was hoping to gain some insight or comments on this axe in my collection. It came out of Baldwin County, Alabama and seems to resemble a Halberd axe/tomahawk. The handle appears newer but the iron is tang/peen through the bottom. Appears to be forged. Looks like a plating was applied to the iron. Overall measures 27 inches. Thanks for any comments. Mark Attached Images

7th June 2023, 08:04 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	A photo of the whole item might help, ̶I̶'̶v̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶b̶b̶l̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶p̶h̶o̶t̶o̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶.̶ Doesn't look like anything I've seen before, looks a bit clumsy & hard to carry into a battle. Is it sharp? Is the grip stacked leather? The head looks like it may have been scarf (forge) welded to the rest of it. How thick is it? Looks like it might bend sideways easily. Homemade for home defense? Trench weapon? Looks European. Probably should be merged into your duplicate post there. If it was plated, it may just be a 'fantasy' wall hanger. looks too new to have been for repelling Yankees in Mobile. p.s.- My family lives mostly around Cullman Co., Alabama, a bit further north. Last edited by kronckew; 7th June 2023 at 06:57 PM. Reason: Re3moved photoshopped image, no longer needed

7th June 2023, 11:19 AM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Looks like a vintage Estwing or Marbles type throwing axe... I doubt either of those brands, but the head shape fits the odder throwing types and the stacked leather grip and what looks to be plated pommel cap and potentially the half too, puts it in these age bracket to my eye. If you live locally to where it was sourced, seek out an old timer who specialises in throwing sharp pointy things, they might have some insight as it is a very popular sport down that way... might be worth going over it with a magnifying glass too... given the age and the plated surface now peeling, there might be a feint makers stamp on the metal somewhere.... Edit Edit... I reached out to a friend who specialises in throwing things of all shapes and sizes... he said the handle screams custom made... and by design it is fit for purpose. Last edited by Gavin Nugent; 7th June 2023 at 12:06 PM.

7th June 2023, 01:41 PM	#5
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 35	Thank you everyone for your feedback and comments. I have attached a full length picture. The piece is 27 inches overall, weight 2.5Ibs and head length is 5.5 inches. The head is relatively thin but feels like it could hold up and not bend if striking something. The handle looks like it was added at a later date and does appear to be leather. The head edges appear to have been sharp at one point and now dulled. Just reminds me of a primitive halberd head.... Assuming the piece originated in Baldwin County, Alabama (which I know is nearly impossible to determine), I know that area has an interesting history from say 1750 to 1813. Appreciate any further comments. Mark Attached Images

7th June 2023, 09:35 AM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Mark, i guess Wayne is right in wondering what your item is about. Hopefully you will answer (some of) the questions he raised. Let us then copy your thread to the Euro forum.

7th June 2023, 11:17 PM	#6
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 88	My two cents: I feel the stacked leather washer construction (if that’s the case) suggests a mid century vintage. I recently sold a Vietnam era Clark AFB/Subic Bay bolo/Bowie knife that had a similar pommel.

8th June 2023, 07:29 AM	#7
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 489	It might possibly be a WWII or Vietnam 'theater' made personal weapon. The metal spacers are quite common and knives like the EG Waterman knives sometimes had added spacers and some came with some them. I have sent the photo to another board. https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...ater-hurl-bat/ Cheers GC

8th June 2023, 05:26 PM	#9
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	So ... definitely a bizarre implement ? Too large and clumsy for throwing or the head of a halberd. The center spike, for one, would not function, as not prominent enough between the side 'blades'. Some personally minded setup, even a prop ? Certainly not a real weapon, would i venture ?