Unidentified Boarding Axe - possibly French

CutlassCollector · 2nd January 2017, 01:11 PM

Last month I visited the National Marine Museum in Paris in order to research their collection of boarding axes and was allowed access to their display in the museum and also their secure storage facility on the outskirts of Paris.

This axe together with another similar is in storage. They are of unknown origin and the only record that the museum has on them is that they were in the possession of the French Navy in the 19th century before being given to the museum.

They appear to have been made in the later part of the 19th century as they are engineered to a a high standard with precise fitting. The belt hook, (missing on this one), fits into the square hole and is held in place by a threaded bolt through the whole assembly.

It is a robust and large axe - blade to point of spike is 270mm (10"), axe blade 145mm (5.75"), and length is 555mm (22") - it has side langets which fit around the whole shaft and is reminiscent of the American Type III. The lower part of the spike has been separated during manufacture and shaped to form a hook.

Has anyone seen anything like this before? It is possible that it was captured from another country at some time but I cannot identify it. I think it more likely it was a prototype of some kind, but I welcome any suggestions.

Regards CC.

2nd January 2017, 01:11 PM	#1
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 330	Unidentified Boarding Axe - possibly French Last month I visited the National Marine Museum in Paris in order to research their collection of boarding axes and was allowed access to their display in the museum and also their secure storage facility on the outskirts of Paris. This axe together with another similar is in storage. They are of unknown origin and the only record that the museum has on them is that they were in the possession of the French Navy in the 19th century before being given to the museum. They appear to have been made in the later part of the 19th century as they are engineered to a a high standard with precise fitting. The belt hook, (missing on this one), fits into the square hole and is held in place by a threaded bolt through the whole assembly. It is a robust and large axe - blade to point of spike is 270mm (10"), axe blade 145mm (5.75"), and length is 555mm (22") - it has side langets which fit around the whole shaft and is reminiscent of the American Type III. The lower part of the spike has been separated during manufacture and shaped to form a hook. Has anyone seen anything like this before? It is possible that it was captured from another country at some time but I cannot identify it. I think it more likely it was a prototype of some kind, but I welcome any suggestions. Regards CC. Attached Images