Gangs of New York

[sakimoto]

I have just seen a re-run of the movie "Gangs of New York". In the final battle Leonardo us using a type of tomahawk. It has the blade and a back spike, plus it has a blade on the top and one on the bottom. Does anyone know where I could get a better picture of it? Was there ever such an item as this? There are also other weapons that are pretty exotic in this movie! Any information will be appreciated.

 

[jahwarrior]

i think alot of the weapons were custom made for the movie; back then, alot of the gangs couldn't afford to buy weapons, so they took what they had, and customized/weaponized them for fighting. they also built weapons from scratch. my dad did it as a hobby; he grew up in a slum in Puerto Rico in the 1940's, and the only readily available weapons were machetes and farm tools. he and his friends used those, and made their own things. he and my uncle showed me how to make "brass" knuckles, flails, clubs, saps, fistloads, shanks, and other jailhouse/homemade stuff when i was a kid. my uncle even showed me how to make a pipe/zip gun, using household stuff and .22 rounds.

 

[7X57chilmau]

Your description sounds similar to many types of pole arms. I've not seen that movie in a few years, so I can't remember the exact type. Have a look at the Wiki article for Pole arms and you may find the one you're talking about....

J

 

[Boats]

The GONY smith is here:

http://www.def.embarqspace.com/#

 

[BubbaX]

http://www.yourprops.com/norm-47f1daa0ef38a-Gangs+of+New+York+(2002).jpeg

http://http://www.yourprops.com/view_item.php?movie_prop=6446

Is this it?

 

[goon]

Looked like something forged locally to me.

IIRC, there was also a gang war between chinese factions in the late 1800's in California. They commissioned some blacksmiths to make swords for them.

 

[sakimoto]

Thats it!!!

BubbaX that is exactly what it is! Thanks for the picture. My next question is how in the heck do you keep that round rock from falling off the end. I know it's probably an old technique, maybe american indian. But is there a web site where you can learn to haft the rock at the end of a stick? Again.....any information will be appreciated. Thank you all for your imput!!
Saki!

 

[Rupestris]

My next question is how in the heck do you keep that round rock from falling off the end.

The rock is tied on with wet rawhide and probably some creative lacing. Possibly through a hole or notches in the handle. When rawhide dries it shrinks and becomes quite rigid.

You'd be hard pressed to knock it off once its dry.

Since that one is a prop, the rock (if its even real) is probably attached with some modern fittings and wrapped in leather for the rustic look.