Viking Battle Axe?

[doug6zj9]

Dear Comrades:

The seller claims this is a 12th Century Viking Battle Axe - 6in by 4in. What do you think? Is this genuine? Thank you for whatever insight you can provide.

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[Dave_Holden]

Hi Doug.

Not my specialist area but I can give my initial impression. The engraving looks a little uniform to have been performed in the 12th century. My first question to the seller is to ask where it was obtained and then dig deeper into the source he states.

BR

D

[Dave_Holden]

Also the wear is minimal. Below is an image I took from the Getty images of the Mammen Axe from Jutland, certainly they are similar but with greater wear on the Jutland Axe.

[Andyb]

Hi Doug
I certainly know nothing about axes or Vikings but what I would say is that if it’s a lot of money to purchase and the sellar is genuine you could always get the metal tested and this would give you the period of the metal and composition which would tell you wether it’s genuine or not.

I’ve been watching too much Oak Isaland =)) =))

[Christopher Ailsby]

Looking at this, there are a few things that would make me want to investigate more. The first is the colour of the rust, it is quite light red. The iron oxiide when young is light in color, dark with age. The engraving seems to be uniform across the piece. These are just thoughts, and thoughts taken from a picture. It needs to bein hand to make best evaluation