Napoleonic Sapper's Ax, Boarding Ax or just a Fireman's Ax ?

CutlassCollector · 20th March 2017, 11:00 PM

It's always hard to determine which as they are all so closely related. I think it looks way too modern to be Napoleonic, but I don't know much about sapper axes.

Boarding axes needed to be fairly light as they were often used one handed whether as tool or weapon and carried aloft or while boarding other vessels. Even the big long handled Scandinavian axes are relatively light and still 'fast' enough to be used as a weapon.
Remember that boarding axes were falling out of use by the 1860s with the advent of steam and steel ships. Navys were still outfitting ships with them but they tended to get lighter.
My best guess is that this axe is an early 20th century fire axe used for smashing down doors or knocking holes in walls or roofs to let smoke out, (before breathing apparatus). It would not be used for long periods so the weight would not be so important.
German or French at a guess.
Regards, CC.

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20th March 2017, 11:00 PM	#2
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 357	It's always hard to determine which as they are all so closely related. I think it looks way too modern to be Napoleonic, but I don't know much about sapper axes. Boarding axes needed to be fairly light as they were often used one handed whether as tool or weapon and carried aloft or while boarding other vessels. Even the big long handled Scandinavian axes are relatively light and still 'fast' enough to be used as a weapon. Remember that boarding axes were falling out of use by the 1860s with the advent of steam and steel ships. Navys were still outfitting ships with them but they tended to get lighter. My best guess is that this axe is an early 20th century fire axe used for smashing down doors or knocking holes in walls or roofs to let smoke out, (before breathing apparatus). It would not be used for long periods so the weight would not be so important. German or French at a guess. Regards, CC.