10th-11th century AD. An iron axehead with broad flaring triangular-section blade with swept curved edge, narrow neck, oval socket with lateral flanges and hammer extension to the rear. Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, pl.14, nos. 2 and 5; Hjardar, K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.163. 335 grams, 14cm (5 1/2"). Ex California, A, collection formed since the late 1960s. European art market before the late 1990s. This broad axe of type M1 is a weapon specifically designed as battle-axe with the edge, being Þunssleginn, i.e. thinly forged, down towards a thickness of 2.5mm. [No Reserve]