Today we take a look at our new and improved Burgundian Poleaxe, a very close replica of item A925 in the Wallace Collection. Thomas from Arms and Armor was recently able to meet up in London with David Edge, conservator emeritus at the Wallace Collection to get some new detailed pics and stats of the original.
Original Axe A925 in the Wallace Collection, London
Whereas our old version of this weapon was simplified to keep the cost down, we’ve decided to upgrade the piece with maximum fidelity to the original. We have increased the length of the haft, extended the side langets, added langet details, and added integrated fore and aft langets on the haft, meaning that more than a foot of the haft is fully enclosed in steel. Additionally, all of the langets are hand ground to taper in thickness from 1/8th of an inch at the socket down to less than 1/16th at the termination. This has greatly improved the handling dynamics and historical accuracy of the weapon. The cutting surface of the axe and the tip of the spike are differentially hardened and constructed from 4140 carbon steel. This piece is also available in custom configurations, for example with an added butt spike or cap. Drop us an email at aa@arms-n-armor.com for details.
Improved Burgundian Poleaxe
As always, our swords and other weapons are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. Sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. Arms and Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars around the world to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn’t enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals. Check out our website with all of our products, blogs, and upcoming events here.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at many HEMA events including Longpoint, SoCal Swordfight, and WMAW, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985
