MICHAEL KASNER'S
ARCHAIC BRONZE:
HONOR BOUND TO THE ANCIENT WORLD
I am a long time historian of the Bronze Age and have collected bronze weapons for over thirty years. From the moment I first handled a corroded bronze weapon, I wanted to make a replica so I could see and feel what it would have been new.
ARCHAIC BRONZE is the fulfillment of that desire.
My weapons are made in the USA, under my supervision, by experienced bronze workers. As far as possible, we are replicating ancient casting methods with modern casting equipment. My bronze pieces will be cast from a 10% percent tin bronze alloy, which I chose because it was common in the Ancient World. The copper pieces will be 100% copper. Each piece will be hand finished and polished because that is how the ancient smiths worked.
As far as possible, every piece will have been patterned from an actual example and will have archeological provenance, at least as to region. When I do not have an actual example, I will use a photograph or a scaled archeological drawing to make the pattern. ARCHAIC BRONZE will sell only weapons accurate enough to be used as museum type examples and to fill spots in weapons collections, but mostly I hope they will add a touch of authenticity to Bronze Age reenactors.
-- Michael Wm Kasner
While I'm ill please e-mail your inquiries to Dean Cunningham.
Thanks, Mike
An original Summerian socketed axe head from the Mesopotamian region. Invented ca, 3,500 this was the first use of a socket for any tool. First made in copper, then later in bronze, this basic design was in continuous use for centuries. This example is copper, so should date ca 3,500 – 2,8 B.C. Currently in a private collection and NOT FOR SALE.
This is the Archaic Bronze Type 1A Axe Head replica of the above axe head cast 100% copper as is the original. The socket is 1.95 inches tall with an inside diameter of 0.75 inches and a total length of 4.8 inches. PRICE in BRONZE or COPPER: $79.99 (includes domestic ground shipping). TO ORDER
This is an Archaic Bronze Type 2 Axe replica of a later improvement on the Mesopotamian axes. We did not have an original to model this from, but rather used a photograph in Yigael Yadin’s “The Art of Warfare in Biblical Lands, Vol. 1, pub. 1963 as the source for the pattern. The socket is 2.7 inches tall, inside diameter is 0.75 inches and total width is 4.1 inches. In comparison to the axes above, the downward slant of the blade made it more effective at armor piercing. PRICE in BRONZE: $79.99 (includes domestic ground shipping).TO ORDER
As supplies are available, I will offer any of my axes hafted with Tamarisk wood commonly used in the Bronze Age Middle East. Right now I have a Type 2 hafted axe on hand. The wood has a hand rubbed oil finish and the axe head is properly attached. I also have another haft ready that can be fitted with either a bronze or copper Type 1 axe. PRICE for Hafted Axes: $124.99 (includes domestic ground shipping). TO ORDER
This is also a Mesopotamian axe head later than the previous one. It is also copper, and has a reinforcing flange around the top of the socket and the blade. This axe is unique because it was originally covered in gold leaf as can be seen in the photograph. I can find no information if the gold axe was given as a reward or was carried by an elite unit, maybe a king’s bodyguard. Currently in a private collection and NOT FOR SALE.
This is the Archaic Bronze Type 3 Axe replica of the above axe cast in 100% copper. Sorry, no gold plating. The socket is 2.25 inches tall with an inside diameter of 0.75 inches and a total length of 3.9 inches. PRICE in COPPER: $79.99 (includes domestic ground shipping).
This is an original ancient bronze tanged javelin point from the Mesopotamian city of Ur ca. 2,600 – 2,200 B.C. from a private collection. An example of this point cast in electrum, a natural occurring alloy of silver and gold, was discovered while excavating a royal grave at Ur. Currently in a private collection and NOT FOR SALE.
This is the Archaic Bronze Spear Type 1 replica of the above javelin point. It is 12.8 inches long and 1 inch at its widest, and cast in a 10% tin bronze alloy as was the original. The shaft for this point should be 5 - 6 feet long. PRICE in BRONZE: $59.99 (includes domestic ground shipping).
TO ORDER
BRONZE DAGGER BLADE ca. 1,800 – 1,200 B.C.: Original middle Bronze Age short tanged, mid-ribbed bronze dagger blade. This style blade was used throughout the Middle East and Egypt as well as Southern Europe, and is suitable to be hilted in several styles. Currently in a private collection and NOT FOR SALE.
This is the Archaic Bronze Dagger Type 1 replica of the Bronze Dagger Blade shown above. It is 12 inches long and 1.7 inches at its widest point. It is cast in a 10% tin bronze alloy as was the original. The rivet holes are drilled exactly as in the original. PRICE in BRONZE: $69.99 (includes domestic ground shipping). TO ORDER
An Archaic Bronze blade (same blade as above) decorated as a Mycenaean dagger to show how the blade can be finished out. The hilt is horn, the rosettes silver, and the pommel amber. As shown it is 14.2 inches long. Currently in a private collection and NOT FOR SALE.