posted 09-01-2002 03:12 PM               

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Could somebody provide good pics of true Lochaber axes (from Scottish public collections etc.) + dimensions?
thanks

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posted 09-02-2002 08:19 AM               

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Here's a page from John Wallace's book "Scottish Sword & Dirks" which show a couple of original Lochaber axes, with some info about them !
Mac

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'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'

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posted 09-02-2002 09:36 AM               

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More Lochabers ... from David Caldwell's book, "Scottish Weapons & Fortifications 1100-1800"
Mac

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'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'

[This message has been edited by Thomas McDonald (edited 09-02-2002).]

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posted 09-05-2002 09:31 AM               

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Thanks Thomas!
The two large speciments on your first pic appear also in the book "Battle Axes" by James D. Gamble. He states there that one of them has a 30" long blade. Is it correct?

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posted 09-17-2002 07:34 PM               

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On dimentions, be aware that the vast majority of shafts on existing examples aren't original. There are two contemporary 18th century pictures of Highland Loch. axes, which show them on shafts of about 8 feet long. The only one I've ever got to hold had a very light, very thin (2-3mm) blade.

Paul

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posted 10-08-2002 04:51 AM               

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I think these huge blade must be thin in order to be lite enough to be swung on the battlefield, sometimes all day long. Lite enough also to be quick for attacking & blocking. I once handled a 1500's doloire (waggoner's axe) which was the first true poleaxe I ever touched for real and I was surprised by its lite weight; since then I made some reading and testings. I have an 18th century french Voulge with a blade lenth of 60cm, 10 to 15cm wide and only 5mm thick at the spine.

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