9th-11th century AD. A hand-forged iron axehead with triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge with square chin, socket with short lateral flanges and squared panel to the rear, blade decorated by V-shaped incisions. Cf. Thunmark-Nylén, L., Die Wikingerzeit Gotlands I.: Abbildungen der Graubfunde, Stockholm, 1992, pl.13, item 14. 207 grams, 11.5cm (4 1/2"). Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher; formerly in a Devon, UK, collection since the 1990s. This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx, the neck on such 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter. [No Reserve] Condition Report Fine condition, cleaned and conserved.