French Boarding Axe - A Lewis

CutlassCollector · 6th February 2014, 05:53 PM

Hi Mark, always good to get your observations.
The owner of the Brit style axe agrees with your assessment as he dates it "mid to late 18th century and may have been of colonial manufacture". It's a good puzzle though especially if we consider that there may be as much as several decades between the axes, which is why I thought the name may be known if he had been around for awhile.
Of course he could be just a guy re-hafting axes although neither of us think the axes have replaced wood but nothing is certain. I certainly had not considered he may have been French and that also is a possibility. Perhaps his name will turn up again!
I have had good dealings with the NMM in Greenwich in the past - they are always very helpful. I can't say the same about the Marine Museum in Paris unfortunately, although it's probably my French to blame!
Regards CC.

M ELEY · 7th February 2014, 08:32 AM

Please keep us informed if you find anything out,CC. I agree that it doesn't appear that either piece has had the hilt replaced. Likewise, I don't think a collector would arbitrarily stamp an item in their collection, as it might affect the value. No curator in his/her right mind would do so. Leaving the question open as to whether these are government and/or private purchase pieces. You are both lucky gents to own them, though. I'd love to have them for my collection. Say, maybe you should send them my way so I can do some of my own...research!

BTW, thanks for posting these. It's good to see a naval item or two now and again.

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6th February 2014, 05:53 PM	#1
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 370	Hi Mark, always good to get your observations. The owner of the Brit style axe agrees with your assessment as he dates it "mid to late 18th century and may have been of colonial manufacture". It's a good puzzle though especially if we consider that there may be as much as several decades between the axes, which is why I thought the name may be known if he had been around for awhile. Of course he could be just a guy re-hafting axes although neither of us think the axes have replaced wood but nothing is certain. I certainly had not considered he may have been French and that also is a possibility. Perhaps his name will turn up again! I have had good dealings with the NMM in Greenwich in the past - they are always very helpful. I can't say the same about the Marine Museum in Paris unfortunately, although it's probably my French to blame! Regards CC.

7th February 2014, 08:32 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,210	Please keep us informed if you find anything out,CC. I agree that it doesn't appear that either piece has had the hilt replaced. Likewise, I don't think a collector would arbitrarily stamp an item in their collection, as it might affect the value. No curator in his/her right mind would do so. Leaving the question open as to whether these are government and/or private purchase pieces. You are both lucky gents to own them, though. I'd love to have them for my collection. Say, maybe you should send them my way so I can do some of my own...research! BTW, thanks for posting these. It's good to see a naval item or two now and again.