Battle hammer head?? -- myArmoury.com

M Hermes · Posted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 11:15 am Post subject: Battle hammer head??

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)

Jeffrey Faulk · Posted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 11:36 am Post subject:

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!

M Hermes · Posted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 11:41 am Post subject:

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

Ozsváth Árpád-István · Posted: Tue 01 Apr, 2014 9:33 pm Post subject:

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.

M Hermes · Posted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 6:09 am Post subject:

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

Victor Sloan · Posted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 10:12 am Post subject:

It seems like a simple boarding axe or tomahawk head to me.

M Hermes · Posted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 12:40 pm Post subject:

Victor Sloan · Posted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 8:44 pm Post subject:

M Hermes · Posted: Wed 02 Apr, 2014 10:44 pm Post subject:

I bought it Big Grin

, with a bit of luck it will be delivered today.

Victor Sloan · Posted: Thu 03 Apr, 2014 3:50 am Post subject:

Awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing it assembled!

Robert MacPherson · Industry Professional

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

M Hermes · Posted: Fri 04 Apr, 2014 1:20 pm Post subject:

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

Victor Sloan · Posted: Fri 04 Apr, 2014 3:10 pm Post subject:

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

Robert MacPherson · Industry Professional

Robert MacPherson · Industry Professional

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