|
12th August 2022, 09:59 AM | #1 | |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,152
|
Quote:
This sword was made by a village blacksmith for Natty Bumppo in 1755, he carried and used it thru-out the French & Indian wars of the period. It was bequeathed to his descendants, who used it in the Carolinas ravaged by Cornwallis' cavalry in the revolutionary war later in the century. The photo was taken by his current descendent, who wishes to remain anonymous. |
|
13th August 2022, 01:38 AM | #2 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,054
|
Quote:
|
|
13th August 2022, 11:00 AM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,077
|
David's example is indeed a nice trade ax. I've seen this pattern on French trade axes coming to the Americas. The fact that it has a maker's stamp makes me think more early 19th c, but there were some early (18th c) axes with maker marks, but they usually were accompanied by maker stamps (trade marks like flower shapes, diamond pattern stamps, etc). You know, I can't tell for sure, but it seems to have evidence of hand forging. The problem is, axes that were blacksmith-made and done well is hard to tell and cast (post-1820's) axe heads often had their seam-lines filed down to appear more seamless. Better, close-up pics can help identify
|
13th August 2022, 06:19 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,055
|
In the hand it looks to be of the wrap around type with an inserted edge, but pitting hides a lot of this sort of detail. What I can say is that it takes a very sharp edge and was my favourite camp axe, retired when I realised that it was probably an antique with some history.
Bought off "Bodger's" stall, at a reenactors fair. |
17th August 2022, 11:58 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,152
|
It was a joke response to 'interested party's previous post's request.
He wanted to see a story, so I made up a cheeky story for him. It is of course a 20c villager ginunting made by Jun Silva in the Philippines. About as far from the Carolinas as possible. Still, would have worked well in the swamps & woods there, better than Mel Gibson's tomahawk (in the Patriot) I suspect. (It's one of the sharpest blades I own) |
17th August 2022, 03:37 PM | #6 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Eastern Sierra
Posts: 392
|
Quote:
And yes, this blade would have worked well in underbrush and swamps. It looks like a chisel edge that would produce a very smooth cut on the backhand stroke for a right hander. Like a broad ax or a slicker chisel. A little forward curve for vines and a sharpened false edge allowing clever falso dritto and montante sotto mano cuts. As a utility blade I have wondered if the blade was wrapped in cloth, leather, or leaves so it could be gripped near the false edge, and the false edge then could be used to skin animals? Off in the ethno weeds here. Who knows maybe these ideas will grow in my mind. Looking for these short swords and Scottish basket hilts in the Carolinas could be for me what the espada ancha and verdadera destreza are for Mr. McDougall. |
|
17th August 2022, 04:24 PM | #7 | |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,152
|
Quote:
You didn't mention 'provenance' in the original what if. Fortuitous, you mentioned Scottish basket hilts (I don't have one). I've been looking for info on why the UK switches from the protective but heavy basket hilt to a simple crossbar guard as the 'service hilt'.The last UK Officer to actually carry one into battle (as far as I have heard) was 'Mad Jack' Churchill, and he had the basket hilted version. And a piper! |
|
17th August 2022, 05:03 PM | #8 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,077
|
Here's an early hammer pole ax of the tool type versus those that were both weapon/tool types (i.e. rifleman's belt axes, see Neumann). This blacksmith-made hammer pole has a cut channel nail puller, chestnut original haft.
|
17th August 2022, 05:07 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NC, U.S.A.
Posts: 2,077
|
I still believe Roger's Rangers would have carried 'spike tomahawk' types, as they were excellent weapons as well as tools. Who knows? Perhaps they carried both.
Here's an early spike ax, hand-forged with steel bit, oblong eye, eared pattern and single-bearded blade. Haft is perhaps original? |
11th September 2022, 11:26 PM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Canada
Posts: 259
|
I found something out that I though was funny and wanted to share, for the chipping hammer I posted, I was able to discern some writing on the handle
Atlas "Tomahawk" Troy Mich Usa |
18th August 2022, 09:19 AM | #11 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,055
|
Quote:
|
|
18th August 2022, 09:26 AM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,055
|
If we are going down the boarding axe route you might like this place. http://www.boardingaxe.com/index.html
|
18th September 2022, 03:31 PM | #13 | |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,152
|
Quote:
The last (?) person to deliberately carry a Scottish Basket Hilt sword into battle, was probably Col. 'Mad Jack' Churchill, in WW2, who carried his ashore on the raid he led in Norway, sword in hand as he hit the beach, followed by his Piper playing the bagpipes. He actually captured a whole passel of Germans with it. He also killed a German sergeant with an English longbow, but that's another story. He could, and did, fill a few books about his exploits. |
|
|
|