Axe for identification

kronckew · 2nd February 2013, 06:42 AM

the fore-aft langets are on boarding axes for the practical purpose of protecting the haft from impact with a hard object missed with the blade or spike, ie. a hunk of wood, railing or an opponents weapon in parry. side-to-side ones protect against being cut by an opponent's strike. take your pick.

mini-version, english fireman's axe:

boarding axes:

CutlassCollector · 2nd February 2013, 12:26 PM

Thanks for your input guys.
You make some good points. I think you are right about the blacksmith construction as the lines are a little rudimentary. As for the patina it is fairly even over the whole head but I can't decide whether the wood handle has been coated with something or is just black with age.
The only marking is a 6(?) at the base of the handle. Could this be a rack number - which would tend to support the boarding axe?

fernando · 2nd February 2013, 12:53 PM

Outstanding input Gentlemen,
We sure have in this forum some 'inmates' that can talk a great deal about (boarding) axes.

M ELEY · 2nd February 2013, 01:41 PM

http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/inde...our-europe-154

Note the end shape of the haft compared to our example.

kronckew · 2nd February 2013, 04:35 PM

the side langets are an english affectation.

i suspect the axe posted by mr. eley is an english copy of a french one. the std. english broad arrow ones tended to being more angular, wedge-like with straighter lines and a straighter edge. they, generally had a ball ended haft too.

early 19th c. royal navy pattern (nelsonian)

french boarding axe:

note the fore-aft rather than side langets, and the haft end is more pry-like.

just to complexicate things, american fire axe
presented after the great fire in hoboken, NJ (1900)

note the lack of langets.

my everyday axe just for drool factor

CutlassCollector · 2nd February 2013, 06:11 PM

Excellent pictures Kronckew and I think I agree with you that the French have the edge when it comes to the elegance factor.
I know it's not a hundred percent conclusive but until anyone says different, it's in my collection as an early 19th century (possibly)French boarding axe.

Many thanks to you both.

M ELEY · 2nd February 2013, 10:53 PM

You are a lucky man! I love your ax. I, unfortunately, only have one true boarding ax in my collection and have been wanting one of these French types. Forgot to mention that the eye on yours is squared, another popularity with the French patterns.
Thank you, Kronckew, for posting the pics. I'm not so savvy when it comes to such things-

. Yes, I did notice that the one I mentioned was British, but of the French pattern. Forgot to mention that and hope it didn't cause any confusion. It is interesting that the boarding axe, serving as both a weapon and tool, became the standard fire ax as we know it. It goes back to the fact that on the crowded decks of ships, almost anything could become a weapon in a hand-to-hand melee (whaling blubber knives, belaying pins, axes, rope and tackle, rumlets, grappling hooks, etc, etc). The trick is deciding when is an ax a weapon and when is it just a fire suppressant?

kronckew · 3rd February 2013, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

...The trick is deciding when is an ax a weapon and when is it just a fire suppressant?

that was a conundrum. i guess it's a weapon when you are hitting someone with it to prevent them from hitting you with theirs or shooting you.

that went out of fashion as the fire activity predominated. and boarding actions became rare.

sadly, with attacks on responding fireman increasing, it may see use as a weapon again. even boarding activity at sea is on the increase. pirates might get a surprise! they're already using firehoses to wash them off ladders...

2nd February 2013, 12:26 PM	#2
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 368	Thanks for your input guys. You make some good points. I think you are right about the blacksmith construction as the lines are a little rudimentary. As for the patina it is fairly even over the whole head but I can't decide whether the wood handle has been coated with something or is just black with age. The only marking is a 6(?) at the base of the handle. Could this be a rack number - which would tend to support the boarding axe? Attached Images

2nd February 2013, 04:35 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,253	the side langets are an english affectation. i suspect the axe posted by mr. eley is an english copy of a french one. the std. english broad arrow ones tended to being more angular, wedge-like with straighter lines and a straighter edge. they, generally had a ball ended haft too. early 19th c. royal navy pattern (nelsonian) french boarding axe: note the fore-aft rather than side langets, and the haft end is more pry-like. just to complexicate things, american fire axe presented after the great fire in hoboken, NJ (1900) note the lack of langets. my everyday axe just for drool factor Last edited by kronckew; 2nd February 2013 at 04:45 PM.

2nd February 2013, 06:42 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,253	the fore-aft langets are on boarding axes for the practical purpose of protecting the haft from impact with a hard object missed with the blade or spike, ie. a hunk of wood, railing or an opponents weapon in parry. side-to-side ones protect against being cut by an opponent's strike. take your pick. mini-version, english fireman's axe: boarding axes:

2nd February 2013, 12:53 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Outstanding input Gentlemen, We sure have in this forum some 'inmates' that can talk a great deal about (boarding) axes.

2nd February 2013, 01:41 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,199	http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/weapons/inde...our-europe-154 Note the end shape of the haft compared to our example.

2nd February 2013, 06:11 PM	#6
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 368	Excellent pictures Kronckew and I think I agree with you that the French have the edge when it comes to the elegance factor. I know it's not a hundred percent conclusive but until anyone says different, it's in my collection as an early 19th century (possibly)French boarding axe. Many thanks to you both.

2nd February 2013, 10:53 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,199	You are a lucky man! I love your ax. I, unfortunately, only have one true boarding ax in my collection and have been wanting one of these French types. Forgot to mention that the eye on yours is squared, another popularity with the French patterns. Thank you, Kronckew, for posting the pics. I'm not so savvy when it comes to such things- . Yes, I did notice that the one I mentioned was British, but of the French pattern. Forgot to mention that and hope it didn't cause any confusion. It is interesting that the boarding axe, serving as both a weapon and tool, became the standard fire ax as we know it. It goes back to the fact that on the crowded decks of ships, almost anything could become a weapon in a hand-to-hand melee (whaling blubber knives, belaying pins, axes, rope and tackle, rumlets, grappling hooks, etc, etc). The trick is deciding when is an ax a weapon and when is it just a fire suppressant?