Help to identify these unusual markings.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by CutlassCollector

... I think it is a boarding axe but I could be wrong as it is unusual for a humble axe to be so well marked....

I would be more amazed with the fact that, its head looking like the real thing, has no langets fixing it to the handle ... or is this a common feature, CC ? .

[CutlassCollector]

Many thanks Corrado.
The only match for a crowned M and B is later on in the 1860's and these records are not so reliable as when Klingenthal was producing for the government.
Do you have pictures of the B and M stamps and the crown for Fabricca Reale di Napoli, then I could compare?

Regards CC

[CutlassCollector]

Originally Posted by fernando

I would be more amazed with the fact that, its head looking like the real thing, has no langets fixing it to the handle ... or is this a common feature, CC ? .

Hi Fernando,

Yes you are absolutely right, langets would be very much normal for a boarding axe. The owner - a museum in the US - are sure it is a replacement handle and I think the langets are just missing.

I have not yet been able to identify this type of axe. I know of five of this style and they are always described as French but I have always had doubts about this.

Of the two I have measurements for: the blade to point is 10 ¼ and 10 ¾ inches and blade tip to tip 6 ¼ and 5 ¾ respectively.
They all have in common the wide head with very long down curving spike, big crescent shaped blade, short inset langets with rounded heads where they protrude and long handles.
The handle on two (I think with original handles) is round in the lower part but is shaped into 4 sided with 4 facets at the top – this allows the langets to be inset into a flat surface.
Only one held by a collector in Maine has any marking and that is a barely visible anchor.

I'm hoping that the markings on this one may lead to a pattern for a particular State.

Regards, CC

[fernando]

Originally Posted by CutlassCollector

...The owner - a museum in the US - are sure it is a replacement handle and I think the langets are just missing...

I thought of that; even originally suggested it in my post but then ... i hesitated

[CutlassCollector]

Originally Posted by fernando

I thought of that; even originally suggested it in my post but then ... i hesitated

I forgot to say Capt. Mark found a very similar one a few weeks ago - remember this:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22838

The owner sent me more pictures and it has the inset short langets, so I think it has the original handle but the spike is longer and more curved.

Regards CC