A boarding axe for comments

M ELEY · 11th March 2025, 02:46 PM

Thanks for responding, CC! I meant every word of praise! It is interesting that I purchased this through an antiques dealer in Dorking, Suffolk. He said it came from an 'old collection', so I wonder if perhaps this might be one of those axes brought back from either of the two Copenhagen battles. There is no marking corresponding to 'out of service' that I see, but who knows?

M ELEY · 12th March 2025, 12:55 AM

In mentioning the relatively late appearance of cutlasses/swords in the Swedish navy, here's an old thread concerning such-

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7180

I thought it was relevant as it does seem to support why Danish and Swedish boarding axes were battle implements back in the day before naval swords made their appearance-

Jim McDougall · 3rd April 2025, 11:01 PM

Capn, I have been fascinated by this amazing boarding axe since you got it! and while I know little on these, I have been trying to catch up. It seems as you point out, the Scandinavian navies were primarily focused on boarding axes over cutlasses much longer than other European navies.

It seems that Norwegian sailors were prevalent among the ranks of these Scandinavian navies, and understandably the Norse/Viking tradition of the battle axe was well in place.

While serving as a deadly weapon in close quarters fighting, the important utilitarian use of these in the days of fighting sail were key in their presence.
Obviously useful in clearing decks of fouled rigging, rope and debris was essential, and even more so, digging out 'hot shot' imbedded in the timbers of the vessel was immediately necessary. The pronounced 'pick' on these was ideal, and also this pick could be used much in the way of a mountaineers axe in required climbing.
The deadly use of either blade or pick in such a hefty weapon of course quickly became formidable in boarding combat.

In the Battle of Copenhagen of 1807, there were so many Danish vessels captured, one can imagine how many weapons were acquired. With the British favor of cutlasses in the larger 'armory' equipment, one would wonder how many of these were kept in service with naval vessels.

It seems likely that these kinds of axes easily found use in the private sector for utility use as well as many fire brigades adopted them. The later versions of fire axes following the features of these were smaller.

Whatever the case, these are notably rare naval weapons as evidenced by descriptions and of course, prices, in auction and sale venues.

Magnificent example, and well placed in the Eley Maritime Museum

M ELEY · 4th April 2025, 03:09 AM

Thanks for replying, Jim. It is true that these types of axes are indeed from a very specific area of collecting, but a very fascinating area given the time period and activity for these. The Age of Fighting Sail mostly came to a conclusion close to the mid-19th century, with the advent of steam-driven ships, ironclads and the very fast China Sea clippers. Cannons were transitioning over from smooth bore to shells, from swivel guns at the rail to turreted rifled cannons. Even the guns were changing from single shot flint-locks to multi-shot cartridge pistols. Things like boarding pikes and cutlasses were rapidly becoming obsolescent. Gone were the days of close-melee fighting on the deck, grappling hooks being flung into the enemies' rigging and planks being dropped between ships to assist the boarding parties crossing. These iconic weapons and tools from this era represent both graphic ferocity and blood-letting, but also true adventure, bravery beyond belief and the dedication of these sailors to their home nation.

Thanks for that pic, BTW! It is exactly what I think of when I imagine how it must have been!

3rd April 2025, 11:01 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	Capn, I have been fascinated by this amazing boarding axe since you got it! and while I know little on these, I have been trying to catch up. It seems as you point out, the Scandinavian navies were primarily focused on boarding axes over cutlasses much longer than other European navies. It seems that Norwegian sailors were prevalent among the ranks of these Scandinavian navies, and understandably the Norse/Viking tradition of the battle axe was well in place. While serving as a deadly weapon in close quarters fighting, the important utilitarian use of these in the days of fighting sail were key in their presence. Obviously useful in clearing decks of fouled rigging, rope and debris was essential, and even more so, digging out 'hot shot' imbedded in the timbers of the vessel was immediately necessary. The pronounced 'pick' on these was ideal, and also this pick could be used much in the way of a mountaineers axe in required climbing. The deadly use of either blade or pick in such a hefty weapon of course quickly became formidable in boarding combat. In the Battle of Copenhagen of 1807, there were so many Danish vessels captured, one can imagine how many weapons were acquired. With the British favor of cutlasses in the larger 'armory' equipment, one would wonder how many of these were kept in service with naval vessels. It seems likely that these kinds of axes easily found use in the private sector for utility use as well as many fire brigades adopted them. The later versions of fire axes following the features of these were smaller. Whatever the case, these are notably rare naval weapons as evidenced by descriptions and of course, prices, in auction and sale venues. Magnificent example, and well placed in the Eley Maritime Museum Attached Images

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11th March 2025, 02:46 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Thanks for responding, CC! I meant every word of praise! It is interesting that I purchased this through an antiques dealer in Dorking, Suffolk. He said it came from an 'old collection', so I wonder if perhaps this might be one of those axes brought back from either of the two Copenhagen battles. There is no marking corresponding to 'out of service' that I see, but who knows?

12th March 2025, 12:55 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	In mentioning the relatively late appearance of cutlasses/swords in the Swedish navy, here's an old thread concerning such- http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7180 I thought it was relevant as it does seem to support why Danish and Swedish boarding axes were battle implements back in the day before naval swords made their appearance-

4th April 2025, 03:09 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Thanks for replying, Jim. It is true that these types of axes are indeed from a very specific area of collecting, but a very fascinating area given the time period and activity for these. The Age of Fighting Sail mostly came to a conclusion close to the mid-19th century, with the advent of steam-driven ships, ironclads and the very fast China Sea clippers. Cannons were transitioning over from smooth bore to shells, from swivel guns at the rail to turreted rifled cannons. Even the guns were changing from single shot flint-locks to multi-shot cartridge pistols. Things like boarding pikes and cutlasses were rapidly becoming obsolescent. Gone were the days of close-melee fighting on the deck, grappling hooks being flung into the enemies' rigging and planks being dropped between ships to assist the boarding parties crossing. These iconic weapons and tools from this era represent both graphic ferocity and blood-letting, but also true adventure, bravery beyond belief and the dedication of these sailors to their home nation. Thanks for that pic, BTW! It is exactly what I think of when I imagine how it must have been!