The Lochaber axe is a Scottish polearm made of a blade mounted on a staff about five feet long. This type of poleaxe was used almost exclusively in Scotland and first appears in records around 1501. Its blade was crescent shaped and roughly eighteen inches long, often paired with a rear hook called a cleek and a butt spike for balance. As a heavy infantry weapon it worked well against both cavalry and foot soldiers, and it was valued for being affordable and easy to make, which let it arm soldiers who had no access to broadswords or firearms, particularly during the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Introduced When (Circa)Circa 1501 (first documentary record, as an old Scottish battle axe of Lochaber fashion) 1 OriginFirst recorded in 1501 as an old Scottish battle axe of Lochaber fashion. Used almost exclusively in Scotland; hundreds were hastily made to arm the Earl of Mar's levies in the Jacobite rising of 1715, and a few were carried early in the 1745 rising before muskets and bayonets became standard. 1 Sources
1. Lochaber axe (Wikipedia)
Design and History sectionQuote, Design and History section
The Lochaber axe is first recorded in 1501, as an "old Scottish batale ax of Lochaber fasoun".
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