thanks for the info cc. i suspected it might be from the lack of a belt clip, but it looked like a nice axe in any case and possibly the nearest i'd get to a real antique boarder. i've messaged the vendor with details for his own info, i still like the axe tho. if i ever sell it i'll pass on the true provinance as far as we know here. googling 'french fire axe' had not helped any.
i have a tame blacksmith that makes a repro of the boarding axe (with clip) for about the same price i paid for this one. a well known indian blade maker also makes them around the same price mark. have resisted buying either. so caveat emptor.
vendor has mentioned to wood haft is a bit loose and might be tightened by soaking in water (something i am reluctant to do with steel items but was a techique historically used on axes) but i might give it a good bath in linseed oil. or maybe some thin wedges...will decide when it arrives.
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