Revolutionary Fascine Knife

[broadaxe]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

I must say I am surprised at the early date of this display depicting a classic boarding axe! Had I not seen it, I would have supposed the boarding axes you spoke of from earlier periods would have lacked the spike and been more of the "battle axe" type. Awesome documentation piece as well. This once again makes me question whether some of the earlier "tomahawks" with longer butted hafts might have served in a naval capacity.

This illustration is unique for display of large array of weapons, ship-board: boarding axe, broad axe, fire arrow, fire grenade with staff-sling, grapnel and so on. Dmitry, I don't know the exact source but it is quite famous and used worldwide in naval warfare references. It is the manuscript depicting the chace, capture and exacution at sea of one infamous, early 13th century pirate of the North Sea, Eustace "the Monk", or "Le Moin" or "The Black Monk".
kronckew, very true, yours truely is signed on an online article saying the same. Unfortunately this article is cited occasionaly by sellers on ebay with no credit, sometimes for the wrong reasons.
I had my own thoughts regarding the dolabra as a naval weapon, but the relics I'm familiar with are too large - good for sapping and trench work, cumbersome for ship board.

[M ELEY]

Great information, guys! Thanks!

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Dmitry, I don't know the exact source but it is quite famous and used worldwide in naval warfare references. It is the manuscript depicting the chace, capture and exacution at sea of one infamous, early 13th century pirate of the North Sea, Eustace "the Monk", or "Le Moin" or "The Black Monk".

I remember seeing similar scenes in an illuminated manuscript detailing Swedish [I think] subjugation of Finland, but not as detailed, as far as the small arms go.
These must be rowing galleys, or barges of some sort; there are no sails or masts in sight, nor eyelets for oars.

[fernando]

Boarding of the Triton by the French privateer Le Hasard, steel engraved by Ambroise Garneray, who was also a privateer; a high probability for the images being close to real.

.

[M ELEY]

Amazing illustration, Fernando. It's always interesting to see art work contemporary to the use of such things for validation. About what period did this pirate exist? From the stetch, I'm assuming 17th-18th c.?

[fernando]

Hi Mark

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Amazing illustration, Fernando. It's always interesting to see art work contemporary to the use of such things for validation. About what period did this pirate exist? From the stetch, I'm assuming 17th-18th c.?

The Triton, a thirty cannon, 100 crew British ship was boarded and captured on 27th january 1797, by the French corsair (privateer) brig "Le Hasard", comanded by Robert Surcouf, one of the most famous French corsairs.

[M ELEY]

Ahh, I should have recognised the ship's name. I've read a book on Surcouf awhile back. Interesting fellow...and unlike most pirates, a hero in his homeland. Thanks again for the great illustration.

[broadaxe]

Actually this illustration is pretty accurate, showing the french boarding axe of that period. http://www.swordandstone.com/weapons...ges/fr_axe.jpg