How common were throwing axes during the medieval period? I've heard of franciscas used by the Franks, but not much more than that. Are there many period depictions or surviving examples of what they looked like or how they were used? As mentioned in the Viking Throwing Axe thread, throwing axes seem very inefficient and ineffective when compared to javelins or spears.

Thanks
-Alain

Not sure how common throwing axes where in the general medieval period, no doubt some one some where throw an hand axe perhaps in extremis. If I recall correctly there is an image on the Bayeux Tapestry of a small axe flying through the air at the beginning of the battle, along with other sundry projectiles.

A quick Goggle search will give examples of Franciscas and appear to be a relative common grave good up to the mid 6th Century in some areas of N.W.Europe. One can become pretty proficient in throwing Franciscas quiet rapidly with practice, and no doubt these warriors did so too.Even if the axe head blade did not make a direct hit
the weight of the head and the handle no doubt would have had a damaging physical effect and a psychological impression.

best
Dave

Interesting points, thanks for the replies.

Are throwing axes large enough to use for regular work? About what size were typical throwing axes?

I wouldn't surprise me if the throwing axe lived on in judicial duels. Talhoffer or someone apparently showed really odd dueling weapons, even throwing swords! :eek:

Didn't somebody post an old B/W photograph from the Bayrische Nationalmuseeum with a throwing axe being displayed amongst other items? It was a very plain, small axe made completely of metal down to the handle which had an additional point.

Jean, I think I agree with your assesment of all those axes except number 5. It could be reversed and used to help with preperation of tough cuts of meat prior to cooking ;) :p

Nice replies everyone, interesting stuff.

Thanks for the list Jean, I appreciate the examples :)

I was mostly thinking about the Franks using throwing axes, but I'm also curious about how their use evolved over time.

Are there any manuscripts or treatises with illustrations of throwing axes?

Thanks
-Alain

The late middle ages Hungary saw use of the Hurlbat - a purposely designed throwing axe of various shapes, forged in all-steel construction. Think of an oversized, off-centered shurikan.

Multiple points ease the hitting. BTW, throwing an axe takes much more effort than throwing a knife, though it is easier to hit with, and the impact is much more destructive.
The hurlbat existed in many designs - all in one piece construction. Some have double blades, some have just plain points with no blade at all, hence called (contemporary) throwing cross.

Alain

From the book:
The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms and Weapons Edited by Leonid Tarassuk & Claude Blair

War hammer
[Last paragraph)]
"From the 14th to early 16th centuries, a special type of the war hammer was used in central Europe as a missile weapon, which was given a spinning motion in flight. Functionally similar to the throwing axes, these war hammers had a conical pointed head with a spike and a fluke, and the steel handle was also sharply pointed at the bottom. In its simplest form, the throwing hammer had the form of a Latin cross whose four pointed arms were designed to inflict a wound however the weapon hit."

http://www.hermann-historica.de/auktion/hhm48...at48_1.txt

Hurlbats
http://www.hermann-historica.de/auktion/hhm57...at57_a.txt

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=8729

Danny

Nice replies

Jared, that's a really interesting idea about the curved handles that I hadn't thought about before. It does seem like that would make a lot of sense in massed battle though.

-Alain

While I've never thrown a francisca, i've done enough work with tomahawks, and know experienced tomahawk throwers.

I wouldn't carry a bunch of them around, but having a small hand axe for camp chores and general cutting needs that can serve as a "backup" weapon if a spear broke.......they can be thrown, and taught to be thrown, relatively easily.

the Rangers of the Revolutionary era and French and Indian wars used the tomahawk for a similar purpose, and tomahawks are still in use by modern Rangers in Afghanistan as a tool, though in a pinch, they're a handy close in weapon (tomahawks also apparently freak Arabs and Afghans out quite a bit, they're intimidated by them). The lightweight head and handle spinning has always made it easier for me to use more or less accurately in throwing than a knife for the same purpose, though I've never had formal training in it.