Francisca
The Francisca was first seen in the early centuries AD and is associated with the Franks from the 5th century and is how they gained their name, but it was also used by other Germanic tribes. It is an axe with an arched head with the cutting edge being either arched or oblique. The handle formed an obtuse angle with the axis of the axe. The Francisca was mainly a thrown weapon used by foot soldiers who would hurl the axe as they closed with the enemy.
How to cite this article:
Dugdale-Pointon, TDP. (26 February 2001), Francisca, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_francisca.html