Boarding Axe or Fire Axe

CutlassCollector · 13th February 2013, 10:23 AM

Thanks guys, always good to get your input. Mark, you are right about boarding axes - don't see one for months and then several come along. Although I'm beginning to wish I'd stuck to cutlasses!
The jury still out on this one as Atlantia has a very good point the lines are very well machined. There are no markings to give any further clues.

I wondered if the langets were significant as they extend through the head and butt against the top. I associate that with boarding axes and a web trawl does not reveal it as a common feature among fire axes - could be wrong of course!
Any thoughts?

Atlantia · 13th February 2013, 06:39 PM

I remembered a good post by Billman a while back on the subject of french axes.
Note #428 in the picture below (Billman says 1920s onwards)
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...96&postcount=5
Not exactly the same but it certainly shows the 'problem' with these axes.

M ELEY · 13th February 2013, 10:14 PM

My points exactly when it comes to these types of items. This is a tricky one and I just can't be sure one way or the other. The German fire ax is extremely close in design, but not an exact replica. The one displayed at the top of this thread appears to have more legitimate aging. Although the head is cast, this doesn't necessarily exclude it as a boarding tool. The spike is longer and four-sided. Frustrating to pin down for sure-

The pics by Billman are good, but need more clarification. Are we saying all of the ax headed pictured in that catalog are post-1920? In that case, the conclusion is that all earlier forms of axes were being reproduced into the 20th century and any collected pieces would have to be judged on an individual basis. After all, the catalog picture is showing us everything from shingling axes to tomahawks to hammer-pole axes, many of the patterns made in the earlier centuries...

CutlassCollector · 15th February 2013, 11:05 AM

Thanks gentlemen.
I think this axe remains in the 'not sure' locker for now.

Although Gilkerson covers the 'standard' Scandinavian, British, French and US patterns he also reminds us that merchant vessels and privateers had their own armouries and that even government warships could restock using the local blacksmiths of what ever port they were in if the need arose.

So I guess it's always going to be hard to decide on the ones that look the part, are the right age and not of the 'standard patterns' - keeps things interesting though.

Atlantia · 27th February 2013, 06:18 PM

Intresting as it is identical to yours in all ways so we are clearly seeing a 'type' or pattern. The handle seems original as well. Also a very similar level of preservation and general condition.
Just finished on that well known site:
axe
So clearly some people DO see this exact type as boarding axes.

Atlantia · 27th February 2013, 06:27 PM

Oh frack!
Just noticed the identical woodworm holes and traces of black paint.
I've had it on watch for a week thinking "I must show that to Cutlass collector when it finishes" and it's the same bloody axe isn't it?

Can we have a smilie for facepalm?

CutlassCollector · 27th February 2013, 08:23 PM

Sorry Atlantia, I should maybe have said. It was offered to me directly, before being put up for sale, by someone that I had bought several items from in the past and I accepted on condition it was a boarding axe. The deal was cancelled with no hard feelings. It did not go up for sale on 'that site' until well after that.
I think that was within the rules and I have just re-read them, but correct me if I'm wrong. CC

13th February 2013, 10:23 AM	#1
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 355	Langets Thanks guys, always good to get your input. Mark, you are right about boarding axes - don't see one for months and then several come along. Although I'm beginning to wish I'd stuck to cutlasses! The jury still out on this one as Atlantia has a very good point the lines are very well machined. There are no markings to give any further clues. I wondered if the langets were significant as they extend through the head and butt against the top. I associate that with boarding axes and a web trawl does not reveal it as a common feature among fire axes - could be wrong of course! Any thoughts?

13th February 2013, 06:39 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	I remembered a good post by Billman a while back on the subject of french axes. Note #428 in the picture below (Billman says 1920s onwards) http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...96&postcount=5 Not exactly the same but it certainly shows the 'problem' with these axes. Attached Images

27th February 2013, 06:18 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Intresting as it is identical to yours in all ways so we are clearly seeing a 'type' or pattern. The handle seems original as well. Also a very similar level of preservation and general condition. Just finished on that well known site: axe So clearly some people DO see this exact type as boarding axes. Attached Images

13th February 2013, 10:14 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	My points exactly when it comes to these types of items. This is a tricky one and I just can't be sure one way or the other. The German fire ax is extremely close in design, but not an exact replica. The one displayed at the top of this thread appears to have more legitimate aging. Although the head is cast, this doesn't necessarily exclude it as a boarding tool. The spike is longer and four-sided. Frustrating to pin down for sure- The pics by Billman are good, but need more clarification. Are we saying all of the ax headed pictured in that catalog are post-1920? In that case, the conclusion is that all earlier forms of axes were being reproduced into the 20th century and any collected pieces would have to be judged on an individual basis. After all, the catalog picture is showing us everything from shingling axes to tomahawks to hammer-pole axes, many of the patterns made in the earlier centuries...

15th February 2013, 11:05 AM	#4
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 355	Thanks gentlemen. I think this axe remains in the 'not sure' locker for now. Although Gilkerson covers the 'standard' Scandinavian, British, French and US patterns he also reminds us that merchant vessels and privateers had their own armouries and that even government warships could restock using the local blacksmiths of what ever port they were in if the need arose. So I guess it's always going to be hard to decide on the ones that look the part, are the right age and not of the 'standard patterns' - keeps things interesting though.

27th February 2013, 06:27 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Oh frack! Just noticed the identical woodworm holes and traces of black paint. I've had it on watch for a week thinking "I must show that to Cutlass collector when it finishes" and it's the same bloody axe isn't it? Can we have a smilie for facepalm?

27th February 2013, 08:23 PM	#7
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 355	Sorry Atlantia, I should maybe have said. It was offered to me directly, before being put up for sale, by someone that I had bought several items from in the past and I accepted on condition it was a boarding axe. The deal was cancelled with no hard feelings. It did not go up for sale on 'that site' until well after that. I think that was within the rules and I have just re-read them, but correct me if I'm wrong. CC