Axe for identification

kronckew · 1st February 2013, 06:02 PM

looks like a french naval boarding axe. possibly 18th c. they made better looking ones than the english or americans.

i've always admired them.

a lot of european fire services also use similar axes, some of which have been sold as 'boarding' axes. caveat emptor.

note: boarding axes were only secondary as weapons, their primary use was for clearing damaged or burning rigging and woodwork, breaking down barriers, etc. much like a modern spiked fire axe is used for, the spike being useful for hooking and pulling stuff.

a similar axe is also used by still existing british cavalry units, a farrier carries a chromed ceremonial spiked axe that was (thankfully no longer) used to put down injured horses (the round straight spike) and to remove the feet (for accounting purposes as proof of death*). i don't think this is one, as they do not have the langets and a farrier's spike straight, not hooked as they are for different purposes.

*- 'bean counters' in supply units have been irritating soldiers and sailors since well before the time of agammemnon and the scorpion king. they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

1st February 2013, 06:02 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	looks like a french naval boarding axe. possibly 18th c. they made better looking ones than the english or americans. i've always admired them. a lot of european fire services also use similar axes, some of which have been sold as 'boarding' axes. caveat emptor. note: boarding axes were only secondary as weapons, their primary use was for clearing damaged or burning rigging and woodwork, breaking down barriers, etc. much like a modern spiked fire axe is used for, the spike being useful for hooking and pulling stuff. a similar axe is also used by still existing british cavalry units, a farrier carries a chromed ceremonial spiked axe that was (thankfully no longer) used to put down injured horses (the round straight spike) and to remove the feet (for accounting purposes as proof of death). i don't think this is one, as they do not have the langets and a farrier's spike straight, not hooked as they are for different purposes. - 'bean counters' in supply units have been irritating soldiers and sailors since well before the time of agammemnon and the scorpion king. they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Last edited by kronckew; 1st February 2013 at 06:40 PM.