Archeologist needed for Ancient socket axe

[oldbattleaxe]

Hello, I am a newbee here. I need someone that has knowledge as to where I can find a place to take this rare axe for metal examination. It is made of steel or iron blade measuring 2 1/4" top to bottom. It is 2 1/4" long with lots of wear as depicted which means it could have been longer. The socket end measures 2 1/2". It is quite heavy, deep pitted, hand forged, concave at the large end where the blade meets the socket indicating peening, 3 edged socket most likely for stability when applied to wood handle socket area. It has a sheen. I am not sure if it is a wax spray for preservation or the metal. There are some slight tints of orange coming through. I was told many ways about testing it for type of metal but I do not want to damage the historical value. Would I try to get a test with a metalurgist? So far I have had heads up on my analogy of it being an ancient axe, but I would like to have more thoughts and domain on this item. My pictures might be so well. I will try and get some good day light pictures for your viewing. Thank you, Bill

 

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[traderoftreasures]

here is some info on socket axes...http://www.adventurehistory.com/selectedfinds/catalogue/0500iron/index.html

 

[oldbattleaxe]

Nice collection, where did you get your axes? I guess I am wrong about what a socket axe would look like. From what I had found a socket bayonet would be a space carved into the wood that would fit the back of the axe into securing with rope or leather by wrapping. The axe you are showing would be an eylet type where the handle would slip through an eylet or hole. I stand to be corrected. That is why I am here.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

TO YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE


They will be glad to help you.

 

[bradyboy]

can you send us some more angles , pictures?
Brady

 

[oldbattleaxe]

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[Bigcypresshunter]

great pics.

 

[Tricia]

Is that a lighter as your frame of reference? A regular hand held zippo type lighter? Doesn't that make it a really small axe?

The reference from trader mentioned a small axe might be used in detail work. That makes sense, but as a weapon of war? Why risk getting yourself killed or disarmed if you have to get that close to use such a small weapon.

My guess would be it's some kind of utilitarian tool. Something like you'd need to cut produce off vines or carve scrollwork. Yup, some kind of detail work.

 

[oldbattleaxe]

Yes, you are on the right track. The site that I am getting some of my information from says that many of the axes were used for multi purposes, fastening to a handle, scraping, skinning, and to fend off someone at close range on a long handle stick, this axe could have been longer and has had lots of use. You can see the wear on one edge. It is made to fit the palm nicely and made to fit into a stick and tied since the one end has folds from peening and would catch a rope where it tapers in. I had just gotten a reply from an archeologist that says that this tool or weapon is no doubt from the Bronze Age between 2000-1400 B.C. Middle Eastern maybe (Egyptian)