Was looking through a "new" book, and saw something interesting and new: maces (2 of them, German, c. 1500, pg 196) with belt hooks on the heads. See picture below for my drawing.

I hadn't seen this before, but trying to find more examples on www turned up this, an axe with similar hook (on the Wikipedia battle axe page.

Belt hooks are common in Japanese weapons/tools, being usual on tobiguchi (fireman's axes) and jutte (opinions as to the main purpose of the hook on jutte vary, but they were used as belt hooks).

Can anybody recommend an English-language source which discusses (or mentions) belt hooks on European weapons?

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Mace with belt hook

The only weapons I recall seeing belt hooks on are boarding axes and pistols, and those are 17th/18th century, probably later that what you're looking for.

I'm not saying those are the only weapons with belt hooks, they're just the only ones I remember seeing.

As far as books go... I have no idea, sorry.

All horseman's picks I've seen at the museum here have a belt hook or have had one. But can't recall any written sources on them...

Both of these original axes that we own have belt hooks http://www.merctailor.com/originals.php?original_pk=98 http://www.merctailor.com/originals.php?original_pk=104

Belt hooks are very common on cavalry weapons, they have been a feature of just about every horsemans warhammer or axe. They are also found on more than a few 16th century pistols and explain why images often show pistols carried at the belt.

The easiest to find examples are naval axes and naval pistols. Pistol pictures often don't show it, since they're from the lock side.

Not too late-period for my curiosity - I saw pictures and wondered why I didn't see more of these. The naval examples suggest it's good for use on foot, climbing rigging etc., and not just for carry while riding. A good authentic alternative to the steel ring on the belt for ren fair goers.

I haven't found any belt hooks on weapons from outside Europe (colonial example seem likely, especially naval, although I haven't seen any identified as such) or Japan yet. There are belt hooks on scabbards and blowgun dart quivers from SE Asia and China, but I haven't seen any on weapons. Haven't seen any on various Turkish, Indopersian, or Indian cavalry axes or hammers.