French Boarding Axe?

Scallywag76 · 9th April 2025, 11:14 PM

I recently purchased this axe head off eBay and I believe it’s a French boarding axe, possibly private purchase. From blade to spike it measures 9.9 inches long and has a blade of 4.8 inches. The only matching axe I’ve seen online is this one being sold through the Pirate Lair. https://www.thepirateslair.com/9-eur...arding-ax.html Anyone have any thoughts on this? I’m particularly interested in determining how old it may be. Thanks!

M ELEY · 11th April 2025, 03:42 AM

Hello Scallywag and welcome to the Forum. This axe head does indeed seem to match the 'hache de bord' pattern of French boarding axe, with it's rectangle eye (that would have been secured with forward and rear-facing langets), bearded blade and 4-sided spike whose 'side' pattern is very distinctive. As David/CC is the expert on these, I'll give him the final word, but it truly does resemble a boarding piece. Judging from the patina and curved spike, it could be the earlier pattern of French axe, predating 1800 (I am currently away from my books, so I better not get too ahead of myself!). No markings?

CutlassCollector · 11th April 2025, 10:34 AM

Nice old axe and yes probably a boarding axe.
I agree with Mark, it certainly has the attributes of a boarding axe. It is very hard to tell without markings as I'm sure you are aware that fire axes are very similar.
Boarding axes tend to be bigger than fire hatchets - at least 8" across the head and usually more like 10 or larger. So yours certainly falls within that scope.

French government axes invariably had an anchor mark somewhere around the eye, but of course that does not rule out private purchase for any number of countries.
CC

Scallywag76 · 11th April 2025, 02:59 PM

CC, thanks for the information! I read through your site rather thoroughly doing research before posting. Supposedly the axe I linked at the Pirate Lair has some markings but I’m not sure I can make them out in their photos. Mine is too pitted to make anything out unfortunately.

I’m very tempted to put a new handle on this. I have an ash shovel handle I could cut down to about 16-24 inches and carve into a shape similar to what I’ve seen on most historic axes. For langets I’d possibly go with brass as I don’t believe I’ve got access to a forge to make them from steel. Are there any historic accounts of brass langets either as original or as shipboard repairs? Also would langets be paired with a typical wedge or are they a standalone means of attaching head to handle? Thanks!

kronckew · 14th April 2025, 09:30 PM

Brass in contact with iron/steel is not a good idea. In damp or wet it can cause galvanic corrosion to the axe.

CutlassCollector · Yesterday, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scallywag76

For langets I’d possibly go with brass as I don’t believe I’ve got access to a forge to make them from steel. Are there any historic accounts of brass langets either as original or as shipboard repairs? Also would langets be paired with a typical wedge or are they a standalone means of attaching head to handle? Thanks!

No, I don't think I have ever seen brass langets and probably for the reason Kronckew points out.

Langets secure the head better than a wedge so wedges not necessary. British axes have integral langets so not a problem. The French ones are loose and fore and aft with lugs over the top that stop movement in that direction but there needs to be a step in the wood to prevent movement in the other.

Early US axes were wedged but had no langets, but they often had a pin through the head and shaft at the eye. I guess, in combat you did not want to rely solely on a wedge.

You may be able to find a local blacksmith or metal worker that can make the langets. Remember also the belt hook.

French axe handles were around 53 cm long but obviously you need to be aware of the proportions of the head.

Hope that helps.

9th April 2025, 11:14 PM	#1
Scallywag76 Member Join Date: Apr 2025 Posts: 2	French Boarding Axe? I recently purchased this axe head off eBay and I believe it’s a French boarding axe, possibly private purchase. From blade to spike it measures 9.9 inches long and has a blade of 4.8 inches. The only matching axe I’ve seen online is this one being sold through the Pirate Lair. https://www.thepirateslair.com/9-eur...arding-ax.html Anyone have any thoughts on this? I’m particularly interested in determining how old it may be. Thanks! Attached Images

11th April 2025, 03:42 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,140	Hello Scallywag and welcome to the Forum. This axe head does indeed seem to match the 'hache de bord' pattern of French boarding axe, with it's rectangle eye (that would have been secured with forward and rear-facing langets), bearded blade and 4-sided spike whose 'side' pattern is very distinctive. As David/CC is the expert on these, I'll give him the final word, but it truly does resemble a boarding piece. Judging from the patina and curved spike, it could be the earlier pattern of French axe, predating 1800 (I am currently away from my books, so I better not get too ahead of myself!). No markings?

11th April 2025, 10:34 AM	#3
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 342	Nice old axe and yes probably a boarding axe. I agree with Mark, it certainly has the attributes of a boarding axe. It is very hard to tell without markings as I'm sure you are aware that fire axes are very similar. Boarding axes tend to be bigger than fire hatchets - at least 8" across the head and usually more like 10 or larger. So yours certainly falls within that scope. French government axes invariably had an anchor mark somewhere around the eye, but of course that does not rule out private purchase for any number of countries. CC

11th April 2025, 02:59 PM	#4
Scallywag76 Member Join Date: Apr 2025 Posts: 2	CC, thanks for the information! I read through your site rather thoroughly doing research before posting. Supposedly the axe I linked at the Pirate Lair has some markings but I’m not sure I can make them out in their photos. Mine is too pitted to make anything out unfortunately. I’m very tempted to put a new handle on this. I have an ash shovel handle I could cut down to about 16-24 inches and carve into a shape similar to what I’ve seen on most historic axes. For langets I’d possibly go with brass as I don’t believe I’ve got access to a forge to make them from steel. Are there any historic accounts of brass langets either as original or as shipboard repairs? Also would langets be paired with a typical wedge or are they a standalone means of attaching head to handle? Thanks!

14th April 2025, 09:30 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,213	Brass in contact with iron/steel is not a good idea. In damp or wet it can cause galvanic corrosion to the axe.