Is this poleaxe real ???

terry1956 · 12th October 2010, 01:54 PM

Hi is this poleaxe really 16th cen as stated, to me it looks and feels wrong, to small and to light. the spec is.
10 1/2 inches from tip to socket, and 7 1/2 inches wide. the head weight is 2 1/2 pounds. There are no markings i can see. what are your feelings. michael

Matchlock · 12th October 2010, 04:23 PM

Hi Terry,

Sorry but this is a Victorian decoration piece, 2nd half 19th century.

Would it really be 16th c., the socket would show a clear line of copper soldering which, among other characteristic details like correctness of shape, I miss in your images.

Best,
Michael

terry1956 · 12th October 2010, 05:16 PM

Hi, yes that was my feeling, all looked odd and small looking, mind you looks ok on my old wooded celling beams.
thanks for reply, will need to go to germany for a real poleaxe sometime as they always have some for sale at auction.
michael

Atlantia · 12th October 2010, 05:37 PM

Completely agree, this looks like a reproduction. Quite possibly well into the 20th C.

Matchlock · 12th October 2010, 06:21 PM

Absolutely, Gene,

And Terry: honestly, in order to see good poleaxes better visit the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Zurich.

Best,
Michael

terry1956 · 12th October 2010, 07:28 PM

Thanks chaps, one could say that i am not poleaxed by the answers. I knew as soon as i saw it. it was wrong. a poleaxe is a killing weapon yet this had as much killing power as a coat hook. I am all sure you all get that feeling when you have a real weapon to hand, some how they just talk to you. And no i am not mad.

michael

12th October 2010, 01:54 PM	#1
terry1956 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: yeovil, somerset, uk Posts: 75	Is this poleaxe real ??? Hi is this poleaxe really 16th cen as stated, to me it looks and feels wrong, to small and to light. the spec is. 10 1/2 inches from tip to socket, and 7 1/2 inches wide. the head weight is 2 1/2 pounds. There are no markings i can see. what are your feelings. michael

12th October 2010, 05:16 PM	#3
terry1956 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: yeovil, somerset, uk Posts: 75	in answer Hi, yes that was my feeling, all looked odd and small looking, mind you looks ok on my old wooded celling beams. thanks for reply, will need to go to germany for a real poleaxe sometime as they always have some for sale at auction. michael

12th October 2010, 07:28 PM	#6
terry1956 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: yeovil, somerset, uk Posts: 75	in answer Thanks chaps, one could say that i am not poleaxed by the answers. I knew as soon as i saw it. it was wrong. a poleaxe is a killing weapon yet this had as much killing power as a coat hook. I am all sure you all get that feeling when you have a real weapon to hand, some how they just talk to you. And no i am not mad. michael

12th October 2010, 04:23 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Terry, Sorry but this is a Victorian decoration piece, 2nd half 19th century. Would it really be 16th c., the socket would show a clear line of copper soldering which, among other characteristic details like correctness of shape, I miss in your images. Best, Michael

12th October 2010, 05:37 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Completely agree, this looks like a reproduction. Quite possibly well into the 20th C.

12th October 2010, 06:21 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Absolutely, Gene, And Terry: honestly, in order to see good poleaxes better visit the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum Zurich. Best, Michael