10th-11th century AD. An iron axehead with broad flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge, socket with lateral flanges and hammer extension to the rear. Cf. Arbman, H., Birka I: Die Gräber, Uppsala, 1940, plate 14, nos.4-5; Hjardar K. and Vike, V., Vikings at war, Oxford-Philadelphia, 2016, p.162, for a similar specimen from Troms, dated 1000-1050 AD. 422 grams, 15.5cm (6 1/4"). Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher; previously in a Dorset, UK, private collection formed in the 1990s. The broad axe of type M is a weapon specifically designed as battle-axe with the edge, being Þunssleginn, i.e. thinly forged, down towards a thickness of 2.5mm. These broad axes were the prerogative of the housecarls of the Anglo-Danish King Canute, of the guardsmen fighting around Harold at Stamford Bridge and Hastings in 1066 AD and of the famous Varangian Guard of the Roman emperors of Constantinople. Condition Report Fine condition, cleaned and conserved.