Board of Ordinance Marking

Jim McDougall · 9th June 2017, 03:33 AM

Thanks David,
Further checking I found that "...before 1854, arms for the Royal Navy were procured by the Board of Ordnance an bear their BO mark. After that the role was taken over by the War Office and the mark replaced by WD".

Apparently in the early years of the 19th century the royal cypher was replaced by three marks, the crown; the block letter for place of mfg; and number for inspector.
Letters for mfg. were B=Birmingham
E= Enfield
S= Solingen
Later an inspection office was emplaced in Solingen, and the mark became
SW (=Wilkinson) as Wilkinson operated the office.

" British Naval Swords and Swordsmanship"
Mark Barton and John McGrath, 2013, p.34

It would seem like, as noted, in around probably 1830s these marks were replaced by the BO and arrow, perhaps more British makers were producing in the contracts. While unclear exactly when the BO mark was emplaced, it does seem clear that the BO mark was used on naval weapons, including the axes.

Interesting that you have found an interim prototype between the more familiar types, which might lend more to the beginning of the BO mark.

9th June 2017, 03:33 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Thanks David, Further checking I found that "...before 1854, arms for the Royal Navy were procured by the Board of Ordnance an bear their BO mark. After that the role was taken over by the War Office and the mark replaced by WD". Apparently in the early years of the 19th century the royal cypher was replaced by three marks, the crown; the block letter for place of mfg; and number for inspector. Letters for mfg. were B=Birmingham E= Enfield S= Solingen Later an inspection office was emplaced in Solingen, and the mark became SW (=Wilkinson) as Wilkinson operated the office. " British Naval Swords and Swordsmanship" Mark Barton and John McGrath, 2013, p.34 It would seem like, as noted, in around probably 1830s these marks were replaced by the BO and arrow, perhaps more British makers were producing in the contracts. While unclear exactly when the BO mark was emplaced, it does seem clear that the BO mark was used on naval weapons, including the axes. Interesting that you have found an interim prototype between the more familiar types, which might lend more to the beginning of the BO mark.