English Executioner’s Axe, 16th/17th C

Description

Acquired in England, this is a rare example of a beheading axe used from the 15th to 18th
Centuries. Heavy hand forged head with 10 1/2″ cutting edge extending 13″ from the
back of the 8 1/4″ long socket; showing lamination and seam lap on socket. Unlike
many axes with offset blades often represented as executioner axes, but were in reality
made for hewing timbers, this axe has a center hung blade with cutting edge beveled on
both sides. An almost identical example is the famous axe displayed in the Tower of
London, known to have been used for the execution of Lord Lovat in 1747. Old, but
likely not original hand-hewed ash haft. Former Hensen collection. Wood chopping block
not included.