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M Hermes




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 25 Aug 2011

Posts: 77

PostPosted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 11:15 am    Post subject: Battle hammer head??         Reply with quote

Found this one on the internet. Could it be a head of a battle hammer or is it some tool used by a carpenter? (The pics are bad becuase i took them directly from the screen)


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Jeffrey Faulk




Location: Georgia
Joined: 01 Jan 2011

Posts: 578

PostPosted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 11:36 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

It's less of a hammer than it is an axe. If it is not a decorative item, it may be from something like a 'fokos' or 'shepherd's axe' from eastern Europe.

Carpenter probably wouldn't use such a tool because there's a certain problem with using the hammer head-- something sharp is facing back at you... not such a problem when hitting someone, but when using it as a hammer to hit nails, it's a little closer to your face!
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M Hermes




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 25 Aug 2011

Posts: 77

PostPosted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 11:41 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The "sharp thing" are, according to the seller, two letters in mirror writing.
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Ozsváth Árpád-István




Location: Romania
Joined: 27 Apr 2008

Posts: 131

PostPosted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 9:33 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The fokos is a traditional Hungarian weapon but it was also used by other nations in eastern Europe. It's origin takes back to the steppes of Asia. It's a relative light weapon but equipped with a long handle it's capable to deliver swift and devastating blows from a safe distance an also from horseback. It comes in many forms, some versions have a long spike or a ball shaped ending to deal with armored opponents.
It was used by shepherrds as a weapon for fighting wild animals and as a tool to facilitate movement on rough terrain.
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M Hermes




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 25 Aug 2011

Posts: 77

PostPosted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 6:09 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Not sure if it is a Fokos. I compared al lot of Fokos heads with the one in my post but couldn't find something similar.

I did found something like it but that would be Norwegian.


http://digitaltmuseum.no/things/ks/MH/SS-0820...mp;pos=119
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Victor Sloan




Location: North Carolina
Joined: 15 Feb 2014

Posts: 69

PostPosted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 10:12 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

It seems like a simple boarding axe or tomahawk head to me.
Looking to start HEMA!
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M Hermes




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 25 Aug 2011

Posts: 77

PostPosted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 12:40 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Victor Sloan wrote:
It seems like a simple boarding axe or tomahawk head to me.


Now that your mention it, it does look like a tomahawk but the hammer part seems to be a bit longer.
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Victor Sloan




Location: North Carolina
Joined: 15 Feb 2014

Posts: 69

PostPosted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 8:44 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

M Hermes wrote:
Victor Sloan wrote:
It seems like a simple boarding axe or tomahawk head to me.


Now that your mention it, it does look like a tomahawk but the hammer part seems to be a bit longer.


I completely understand, but the longer hammer head could be a hooking tool or just added weight.

Looking to start HEMA!
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M Hermes




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 25 Aug 2011

Posts: 77

PostPosted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 10:44 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I bought it Big Grin , with a bit of luck it will be delivered today.
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Victor Sloan




Location: North Carolina
Joined: 15 Feb 2014

Posts: 69

PostPosted: Thu 03 Apr, 2014 3:50 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing it assembled!
Looking to start HEMA!
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Robert MacPherson
Industry Professional



Location: Jeffersonville USA
Joined: 27 Feb 2008

Posts: 141

PostPosted: Thu 03 Apr, 2014 6:13 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

This is a "marking hatchet". It is a timberman's tool used to impress an owner's mark in logs. The blade is for removing a bit of bark so that the mark can be impressed in the wood.

Here are images of a more recent one.


It's funny how everything that comes from the ground and ends up on Ebay is described a weapon, rather than a tool. One would think that our ancestors did nothing but kill one another, rather than cutting firewood or building houses. Wink There is a lesson here.

On the plus side for the buyer; it is a very handsome (18th C?) tool, and he might find a tool collector who would be pleased to own it.

Mac

Robert MacPherson
http://www.lightlink.com/armory/
http://billyandcharlie.com/
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M Hermes




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 25 Aug 2011

Posts: 77

PostPosted: Fri 04 Apr, 2014 1:20 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks Mac, i had not thought of that. A bit disappointing but nevertheless a nice old piece. Took some extra pics.


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Victor Sloan




Location: North Carolina
Joined: 15 Feb 2014

Posts: 69

PostPosted: Fri 04 Apr, 2014 3:10 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Just remember: It may be a marking tool but could easily be a weapon too if you want it to be :P

Many weapons originated as tools

Looking to start HEMA!
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Robert MacPherson
Industry Professional



Location: Jeffersonville USA
Joined: 27 Feb 2008

Posts: 141

PostPosted: Sat 05 Apr, 2014 10:07 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

M Hermes wrote:
Thanks Mac, i had not thought of that. A bit disappointing but nevertheless a nice old piece. Took some extra pics.


I am glad you are taking it in good spirit. I wish I had seen your initial post earlier. Perhaps I could have kept you from buying a thing that you did not really want.

It is a very handsome tool. I am sure that there is a collector out there who would be pleased to own it.

Mac

Robert MacPherson
http://www.lightlink.com/armory/
http://billyandcharlie.com/
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Robert MacPherson
Industry Professional



Location: Jeffersonville USA
Joined: 27 Feb 2008

Posts: 141

PostPosted: Sat 05 Apr, 2014 10:22 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Here are a couple of hits in a search for marking hatchets to be auctioned.

https://www.mjdtools.com/ToolList.php?list=1094

http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-cat...dForm=true The pic shows how the mysterious notches in the eye are there to receive languettes.

http://www.finetoolj.com/ftj.php/auction/view/11/7 item B-686

Mac

Robert MacPherson
http://www.lightlink.com/armory/
http://billyandcharlie.com/
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