Help Identifying Antique Battle Axe Fireman's?

N

nnorb

Joined
Jan 3, 2006
Messages
8
Hi Folks,
I joined this site ages ago, because I am in the antique business and sometimes end up with something I can not identify and you all seem to really know your stuff. I ended up with this axe from an old auction last night. I have tried to research it and have come up stumped. It measures 35 1/2" long, the head is approx. 10" high, by 11 1/4" from front to back and 1 1/4" thick at its thickest. It looks to be forged, by the pitting in the metal. It is sharp. The handle has a curve of almost 8" from one extreme to the other. (Unfortunately, somewhere along the way the handle was cracked in two and reglued.) It has no makers marks that I could find. Any help would be VERY MUCH appreciated. Thanks,
Norb Novocin
Estate Auctions, Inc.
Seaford, DE
Eight photos are below:
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It might seem obvious, but just in case, this is highly probably a fantasy axe. Wall hanger or something like that.

I've seen many real battle axes, all of them had straight handles, or at least none was that dramatically bent.
Bent handles mostly started from mid-19th century AFAK.
Handle grain looks terrible, I guess no real user (warrior or lumberjack) would trust that (and it did actually crack if this has to be proven).
Non-protruding handle, at the top, cut to match the shape of the top head is cheesy.

About head being authentic, well it doesn't look serious IMO.
 
Thanks, I did find a listing for an axe close to this one in Francis Bannerman & Sons Millitary Goods Catalog from 1929. The head is slightly different, but the handle is dead on. It says, "Tomahawk Pattern Battle Axe made for stage use, also for parading."
 
nnorb said:
Thanks, I did find a listing for an axe close to this one in Francis Bannerman & Sons Millitary Goods Catalog from 1929. The head is slightly different, but the handle is dead on. It says, "Tomahawk Pattern Battle Axe made for stage use, also for parading."
Click to expand...

In that case...its just junk, and you should ship it to me for a new handle...I'll find a use for it....:D
 
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