hello, this is my fist post, and let me start by thanking you for providing this forum.
I have just purchased a bearded axe with unknown history.
This axe was purchased by a history teacher who collects old weapons. The teacher got it from a fisherman in Normandy who found it, cleaned the rust off, sharpened it, placed a new handle on it, and used it to chop the heads off od his catch.
the axe head is of a bearded style, 4-5 pounds, 6.5" long eye, with a 4.5" cutting edge, and is made of iron.
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thanx for any info you may have. It may be 20th century, or may be older, i have no idea.
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Hello, I have been a member for awhile but have never posted. I am also a member or armourarchive.com and spend most of my time there. I was just browsing around here today and saw your post on the axe. I am sorry,I have no information on it but just a comment. I wanted to say that it is an axe I have been very interested in for a long time and the story of it's origin was quit interesting, This is a very fine looking bearded axe, you are fortunate in my opinion to have been able to acquire it. You can get repro's from all over and some very nice but to have the story and origin behind it like this is a plus for sure. Do you mind me asking what you payed for it? anyway take care and hope to speak to you and all here often.
David

anyone have any ideas as to possible age, or has anyone seen any repros that looked like this axe?

That long eye/socket brings to mind images from a number of 16th cent. woodcuts. I can't think of any specific ones at the moment but that roughly dates the style to me.

the long eye is what puzzles me. would the extra strength and protection be used for a wood choppoing axe? Ive been searching all over the internet, and cant find another bearded axe with the long eye like this.
the search continues.

Although less sexy than an axe intended to be a weapon a lot of types of specialysed axes were used in squaring of lumber and ship building.

Axes have always been used as tools and then put into service as weapons when needed.

Although a great Danish axe with a thin edge was probably rarely used to cut down trees.

I have an old axe with a very large head that is completely flat on one side and was certainly used for woodworking of some kind.

So researching old traditional carpentry tools might show you axes of the same design as you have.

Oh, I'm not an expert on this, but I am just pointing in a different direction to research.

I have a similar axe although without the handle. I asked an "expert" on axes and he told me that mine could be an Austrian clog makers axe or possibly a small Turkish balta (battle axe). I would definately say yours is a tool and not primarily a weapon, do not rule out the "clog makers" axe or possibly a barrel makers axe. In reality, an axe is an axe no matter how you look at it, and even though the design might be aimed at one trade, it can be used for anything. Even though mine is atleast 200 years old, I used it for 2 years chopping firewood and just put it into retirement last fall.

Mike