Ciupaga "shepherd's Axe" ??

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DMC2727

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Nov 23, 2012
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This is my first time posting...hope I am in the correct area for this question.
The research that I have done so far indicates that these are called Ciupaga Mountaineers walking sticks, Polish hiking cane, Polish shepherds axe or Highlanders Ciupaga "Dziada".

The research that I have done on the carvings are as follows:

1.) Zakopane - A town in Southern Poland that lies in the southern part of the Podhale region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. 27.Vll.75r. I believe that this is the date of the carving (July 27th 1975 not sure about the year) the "r" represents "rok" which means year in Polish.

2.) Morskie Oko - Is the largest and forth deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains located deep with in the Tatra National Park in Poland. 16.Vll.75r. (July 16th 1975 again not sure about the year)

The Walking sticks are approximately 33 inches long.

The axe heads are made of steel, (I think the flash on the camera makes them look golden they are really more greyish) The blade cover is brass.
Does anyone know how old these are ... ?

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... I can tell you that if memory serves correctly it's possibly pre-1920's as I believe that's when the use of steel heads was banned. Models after that date were all brass. That's just what I remember off the top of my head, though, so don't take it verbatim. :)
 
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Most of the "ciupagi" are made of brass and are rather a display thingy than an axe you cana ctually use.
I think i havent seen in Poland any ciupagi that are forged out of steel except for the new artificial ones.
The last nr. 74 r. says it has been made in 1974.
 
This thread is just waiting for some hilarious joker to say "it's garbage, pack it up and send it to me, I will dispose of it properly." HAR HAR HAR!!!!!
Until that time, it's a very cool piece of history right there.
 
Thanks for the replies, I think that the head is made of steel, it is definitely not brass.
 
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Got one just like that but without the edge thingy, its made of brass. Makes for a good walking stick if nothing else.
 
My dad has two of those in his closet. They look exactly the same as that. Are your's cross wedged or just a single? Ill have to ask him how old they are.
 
This particular one is a tourist gadget. They are being sold in souvenir shops with steel, barass and even wooden heads as a memento.

They are the thing that sheep shepherds would use back in the day, when they took the herds higher into the mountains to pasture from spring till autumn. As far as I recollect, they would have the 'ciupaga' and a 'kozik'(a folding knife) as part of their gear up in the mountains. They would serve as a walking stick, small axe and for defense against wolves. You could say that they are a hawk with a long handle.

They were glorified as one of the weapons of bandits/bush rangers in a TV series called 'Janosik' and some books.

I'd say that the 'Zakopane' and 'Morskie Oko' with dates were carved in after the purchase given the different dates.
 
The wedge looks like a figure 8 Here is a picture of the top of the axe head. I too had these in my closet for over 30 years.
That would be great if your Dad knew how old they were. thanks for your help.

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As i have mentioned earlier. 74r stands for 1974 in my opinion. You do the math ;)
Check if its heat treated.
 
I agree with you about the date :) It just looks as if this was hand carved into the wood...maybe after it was received or purchased.
How do I check if it's heat treated?
 
He says there about 40 years old (+/- 1 or 2 years). Ours have the figure 8 on top to. Possibly the same maker as well. It wouldnt matter if it was HT or not but I cant help you with telling if it is. My guess yours was made in '74 or so and could have been gifted or bought for a special occasion in 1974.
 
It could have been made well before 1974. I'd say, if the sign would be there at the time of purchase it would have been burned/branded into the wood. Plus there are two locations with dates that are a few days apart. I'd say someone has carved those in.

It looks like there is a screw holding the brass cover, don't think anyone would drill into the head after HT, and before HT it could lead to warping or cracking, so my guess is it has not been HTd.
 
Just a tourist souvenir... 100% sure. Date on the shaft is the date of production
But, because those times in Poland were "strange" there is chance that it was produced in some tool factory from real axes.


And I've never heard of any steel head ban.
 
To be honest I'm not sure where I picked up that information, and given the way that the ciupaga is found in a few different countries if there is a ban on steel ones then it may not be in Poland. But maybe there isn't one at all! :p
 
Thanks for asking your Dad about the age, is there a date or the name of a town carved on his?
 
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