A boarding axe for comments

M ELEY · 10th March 2025, 08:55 PM

I have always wanted one of these for my naval collection and finally managed to land one! This is a Scandinavian boarding axe circa 1790-1810. Depending on the source, this type is either Danish or Swedish and fits the m1780 pattern of axe. These types came in two sizes; big and really big! Mine measures 33" high, 11" from spike tip to edge and 5 1/2" cutting edge. Unlike boarding axes from other countries (America, France, England, Holland, etc), which were fire/deck clearing tools first and weapons second, these Nordic types were weapons all the way and used secondary as tools.

Apparently, the Scandinavian countries were very late in adding cutlasses/swords to their melee weapons on deck, so they continued to use the spear/pike, large axe and daggers for attack/defence on their ships. You can practically see the Viking influence on this axe!

The haft has an amazing patina, with cut channels and narrowing to its frame. Note the ball end, a detail seen on other boarding implements (American pikes and boarding axes, for example). There is an armor's stamp to the steel head, but unfortunately I can't seem to make it out. To my old eyes, it looks like perhaps a 'II' or 'III', but it might also be two letters or a symbol. I was curious if it could be a rack number, but I'm assuming most rack numbers were carved into the haft versus stamped into the steel.

10th March 2025, 08:55 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,138	A boarding axe for comments I have always wanted one of these for my naval collection and finally managed to land one! This is a Scandinavian boarding axe circa 1790-1810. Depending on the source, this type is either Danish or Swedish and fits the m1780 pattern of axe. These types came in two sizes; big and really big! Mine measures 33" high, 11" from spike tip to edge and 5 1/2" cutting edge. Unlike boarding axes from other countries (America, France, England, Holland, etc), which were fire/deck clearing tools first and weapons second, these Nordic types were weapons all the way and used secondary as tools. Apparently, the Scandinavian countries were very late in adding cutlasses/swords to their melee weapons on deck, so they continued to use the spear/pike, large axe and daggers for attack/defence on their ships. You can practically see the Viking influence on this axe! The haft has an amazing patina, with cut channels and narrowing to its frame. Note the ball end, a detail seen on other boarding implements (American pikes and boarding axes, for example). There is an armor's stamp to the steel head, but unfortunately I can't seem to make it out. To my old eyes, it looks like perhaps a 'II' or 'III', but it might also be two letters or a symbol. I was curious if it could be a rack number, but I'm assuming most rack numbers were carved into the haft versus stamped into the steel. Attached Images