Irish Gallowglass Axe

This Gallowglass Axe has a sharpened axehead of high carbon steel which securely mounted onto a stout haft of oak. A wooden axe wedge was pounded into the head of the haft to expand it to create a tight fit with the socket of the axe. This Gallowglass axe is based on an original 16th century example.

With a broad chopping blade and a long haft to afford the wielder plenty of leverage, this axe delivers decisively grievous hacks and chops. Even against a well-armored opponent, the sheer concussive force behind a blow from this axe will smash and rend the heaviest of armors. With such axes in hand it becomes clear why the Gallowglass were such fear-inducing opponents and the most successful Irish clans could confidently take to field with a solid core of resilient and hard-hitting Gallowglass to spearhead their battleline. Whatever their cost, many Chieftains found the Gallowglass worth their coin not only for battlefield prowess, but also in some cases for their honor – for even in dire circumstances many Gallowglass would steadfastly fight for the Chieftain who paid for them, as befitted their sense of contractual honor.

Whether in paid service to a Lord or as a mercenary of one of the for hire Gallowglass Clans, the Gallowglass depended on a fierce reputation to secure demand for their services and this reputation was built with the bloody remnants of foes who were hewn asunder with the favored weapon of the Gallowglass; their trusty, two-handed axe.