Iron, 780 grams, 17.5 cm. Circa 9th-11th century AD. A hand-forged iron axehead with substantial curved blade and elliptical shaft-hole. The profile is square at the lower edge, in the classic skeggöx or 'bearded' profile used as both a weapon and as a grappling iron during naval battles. There are traces of the wooden haft in the hole. Reference: Leppäaho, H. Späteisenzeitliche Waffen aus Finnland, Helsinki, 1964 plate 62(2). Very fine condition, complete. Provenance: from an old collection.