Indo-persian Axe

russel · 21st July 2014, 04:20 AM

This just ended on Ebay, listed as an Indo-persian axe. I have seen it's like before but I can't place it or find it in any of my references. Does anyone know when in particular this item originates? Does it have a specific name?

Overall length 23"; blade thickness 0.25"

Cheers - Russel

Kubur · 21st July 2014, 04:39 AM

At least it's not Persian at all.
Regards,
Kubur

Jim McDougall · 21st July 2014, 06:16 AM

Looks like a bullova, however with unusual smoothly radiused crescent type blade. Most of the have recurved style blades .
"Battle Axes" James Gamble 1981

russel · 21st July 2014, 06:23 AM

I was thinking along the same lines Jim, but neither Gamble or Stone illustrate a Bullova axe like this.

Jim McDougall · 21st July 2014, 06:33 AM

Right Russell but remember these tribal items are widely varied, and these were situated in Chota Nagpur in the Bengal Presidency....the tribes included Kol and Khond and others in pretty vast areas . While not an exact match, the basic posture of the head on the haft compellingly resembles that of the bullova contrary to the other hafted weapons typical in India.
It would be great to find an exact match, but lots more research possibly Haider, Pant, perhaps Egerton.
Pending further results I think bullova is most likely.

These are always interesting, lots of history there!

kronckew · 21st July 2014, 08:35 AM

the unusual mounting of the axe head to the shaft via a double tang tang passing thru two holes in the shaft with the ends peened is not a usual feature of a bullova. all the ones i have seen have the very similar and much stronger socket arrangement like my non-recurved 'moustache' axe. the axe above is very different, and i'd be reluctant to actually use it in a battle as it is likely going to break if it hits anything.

the crude end piece that looks like it was made from a thin brass disk nailed to the pommel, and the iron top finial are also atypical. (mine is sadly missing the normal cone shaped finial.)

african axes that use a similar tanged axe head have a substantial bulge where the tang penetrates the haft, like my last example below.

Norman McCormick · 21st July 2014, 10:14 PM

Hi,
This is my Chota Nagpur/Bullova axe, the finial looks somewhat similar.
Regards,
Norman.

21st July 2014, 04:20 AM	#1
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Indo-persian Axe This just ended on Ebay, listed as an Indo-persian axe. I have seen it's like before but I can't place it or find it in any of my references. Does anyone know when in particular this item originates? Does it have a specific name? Overall length 23"; blade thickness 0.25" Cheers - Russel Attached Images

21st July 2014, 08:35 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	the unusual mounting of the axe head to the shaft via a double tang tang passing thru two holes in the shaft with the ends peened is not a usual feature of a bullova. all the ones i have seen have the very similar and much stronger socket arrangement like my non-recurved 'moustache' axe. the axe above is very different, and i'd be reluctant to actually use it in a battle as it is likely going to break if it hits anything. the crude end piece that looks like it was made from a thin brass disk nailed to the pommel, and the iron top finial are also atypical. (mine is sadly missing the normal cone shaped finial.) african axes that use a similar tanged axe head have a substantial bulge where the tang penetrates the haft, like my last example below. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 21st July 2014 at 08:49 AM.

21st July 2014, 10:14 PM	#7
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,575	Hi, This is my Chota Nagpur/Bullova axe, the finial looks somewhat similar. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

21st July 2014, 04:39 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	At least it's not Persian at all. Regards, Kubur

21st July 2014, 06:16 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,747	Looks like a bullova, however with unusual smoothly radiused crescent type blade. Most of the have recurved style blades . "Battle Axes" James Gamble 1981

21st July 2014, 06:23 AM	#4
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	I was thinking along the same lines Jim, but neither Gamble or Stone illustrate a Bullova axe like this.

21st July 2014, 06:33 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,747	Right Russell but remember these tribal items are widely varied, and these were situated in Chota Nagpur in the Bengal Presidency....the tribes included Kol and Khond and others in pretty vast areas . While not an exact match, the basic posture of the head on the haft compellingly resembles that of the bullova contrary to the other hafted weapons typical in India. It would be great to find an exact match, but lots more research possibly Haider, Pant, perhaps Egerton. Pending further results I think bullova is most likely. These are always interesting, lots of history there!