Headsman's Axe

The  is a unique weapon in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This battleaxe is wielded by Ahtar, most notably for Roggvir's execution, as well as the player's would-be executioner, in the introductory scene.

Characteristics
The Headsman's Axe is a unique battleaxe with a long handle and a single-edged, heavy iron blade used to chop off the heads of condemned prisoners.

Location
Ahtar can either be found roaming the streets of Solitude, in the Castle Dour Dungeon or in Jala's House.

The Headsman's Axe can be aquired in a number of ways:


 * Gain him as a follower and take the axe from his inventory. To recruit him as a follower, a bandit execution quest must be completed for him. After the deed is done simply return to him to complete the quest, after which he is eligible to be a follower.


 * Steal the axe from Ahtar, regardless of whether he is a follower or not.
 * Kill Ahtar and loot the axe from his corpse.
 * Attack Ahtar, use Disarm, take the Headsman's Axe, sheath your weapon, run/sneak your way through the guards, put the Headsman's Axe somewhere safe, pay your bounty, sell the Headsman's Axe to an NPC that will buy stolen goods, buy it back, it shouldn't have the stolen tag now.

Smithing
This item can't be upgraded at a grindstone, but it can be enchanted.

Trivia

 * The same type of axe is used in the Dragonborn's failed execution, however it cannot be retrieved from Helgen.
 * The Headsman's Axe as been reported to transform into an Ebony Battleaxe during the first part of the Dawnguard DLC. This, however, is an extremely rare occurance and only happens when kept in the Inventory of the Dark Brotherhood Initiate follower.
 * The axe is so long, that in first person view, only a small part of the axe's blade is shown.