Board of Ordinance Marking

Jim McDougall · 8th June 2017, 08:27 PM

David,
Could you show the whole axe, just for the record. I am curious on this as well, and hope maybe Cap'n Mark might show up with his thoughts.
I figure if you nautical guys aren't sure on this quandary, it would be good to follow up on.
I didn't mean anything disparaging on the axe, just paraphrasing Gilkersons notes on the reason so few of the huge numbers of these have survived.

All the best
Jim

CutlassCollector · 8th June 2017, 10:25 PM

Hi Jim,

I did not take it as disparaging at all! Yes, it's well understood that boarding axes are rare almost because they were so common. Guess it's why I like them.

Its an interesting find as it seems to indicate another Brit pattern between the two well known ones, which is why I wanted to make sure the BO mark was correct. I will put pictures up soon for further comment and you're right it will certainly interest the Cap'n.

Regards David.

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.

CutlassCollector · 9th June 2017, 12:05 PM

There are many examples of boarding axes from the early 19th century that share general features of a crescent shaped blade, side langets and flat sided spike. Col. Rankin describes one in 'Small Arms of the Sea Services, (page 2), as "....British boarding ax of a type frequently used in the American navy". He dates them to 1840-60 and several examples made by Brooks Brothers of Sheffield survive.
Other variations on this pattern include the one held at the Pitt River Museum. I have normally classified this pattern type as private purchase axes.

This axe follows that pattern but has the British Ordnance mark indicating ownership by the government. The spike is distinguished by the downwards curve which is smoothed at the sides to a blunt edge on the upper point. I only know of three examples of this axe and one is I believe still owned by our very own Fernando. The other two are unmarked.

Although little can be inferred from only one example it is likely that the British government at some time purchased at least a batch of these axes. There's not enough information to prove a third Brit model between the early axe and the 1859 model, so for the time being it remains speculation.

Regards CC

9th June 2017, 12:05 PM	#4
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 343	British Boarding Axe with BO mark There are many examples of boarding axes from the early 19th century that share general features of a crescent shaped blade, side langets and flat sided spike. Col. Rankin describes one in 'Small Arms of the Sea Services, (page 2), as "....British boarding ax of a type frequently used in the American navy". He dates them to 1840-60 and several examples made by Brooks Brothers of Sheffield survive. Other variations on this pattern include the one held at the Pitt River Museum. I have normally classified this pattern type as private purchase axes. This axe follows that pattern but has the British Ordnance mark indicating ownership by the government. The spike is distinguished by the downwards curve which is smoothed at the sides to a blunt edge on the upper point. I only know of three examples of this axe and one is I believe still owned by our very own Fernando. The other two are unmarked. Although little can be inferred from only one example it is likely that the British government at some time purchased at least a batch of these axes. There's not enough information to prove a third Brit model between the early axe and the 1859 model, so for the time being it remains speculation. Regards CC Attached Images

8th June 2017, 08:27 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	David, Could you show the whole axe, just for the record. I am curious on this as well, and hope maybe Cap'n Mark might show up with his thoughts. I figure if you nautical guys aren't sure on this quandary, it would be good to follow up on. I didn't mean anything disparaging on the axe, just paraphrasing Gilkersons notes on the reason so few of the huge numbers of these have survived. All the best Jim

8th June 2017, 10:25 PM	#2
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 343	Hi Jim, I did not take it as disparaging at all! Yes, it's well understood that boarding axes are rare almost because they were so common. Guess it's why I like them. Its an interesting find as it seems to indicate another Brit pattern between the two well known ones, which is why I wanted to make sure the BO mark was correct. I will put pictures up soon for further comment and you're right it will certainly interest the Cap'n. Regards David.

9th June 2017, 03:33 AM	#3
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.