Napoleonic Sapper's Ax, Boarding Ax or just a Fireman's Ax ?

drac2k · 21st March 2017, 01:45 AM

Thanks for your input; sounds reasonable to me.

ulfberth · 21st March 2017, 09:55 AM

hello,

In the first picture is a French Napoleonic Sapeur axe , the second picture is a French boarding axe model 1833.
Although not identical the last one looks most like yours.

kind regards

Ulfberth

CutlassCollector · 21st March 2017, 12:55 PM

The dimensions of an 1833 French boarding axe are approx: overall length 21", blade to point of spike 9.5", weight 2.5 pounds. Lots of variations of course but that gives the general idea.
My biggest boarding axe is a Swedish 1780 model. Length 37", blade to point 11", weight 3.5 pounds.
Boarding axes are light for fast work whether chopping through burning rigging or breaking heads.

Your axe is a major work horse. Google Large French Fire axe and you'll find similar. One like yours dated 1800s - but I think date is wrong.

Regards CC

drac2k · 21st March 2017, 01:09 PM

I agree; I actually saw that type of boarding ax in Baltimore and it did look similar to mine, however, it was much smaller and only weighed 2 or 3 lbs.Maybe, the ax that I own is a later nautical fire ax.

broadaxe · 25th March 2017, 11:21 PM

Please try to weigh your axe. Heavy as full-sized fire axes are, 12-14 pounds sounds excessive. The long haft and heavy head were crucial for smashing into doors, or directly into wooden walls, and roofs. I agree with CutlassCollector with both identification and date, the shape of the head is somewhat different than the mid-19th century Paris fire department axe I have. I will try to weigh it as well, for comparison.

drac2k · 27th March 2017, 07:51 PM

Sorry, I just saw your post.The difference between the ax and myself, and myself without the ax is about 9.5 lbs.; I know that this is a poor measurement, but at this time it is the best I can do.

21st March 2017, 09:55 AM	#2
ulfberth Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 430	hello, In the first picture is a French Napoleonic Sapeur axe , the second picture is a French boarding axe model 1833. Although not identical the last one looks most like yours. kind regards Ulfberth Attached Images

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21st March 2017, 01:45 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,270	Thanks for your input; sounds reasonable to me.

21st March 2017, 12:55 PM	#3
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 366	The dimensions of an 1833 French boarding axe are approx: overall length 21", blade to point of spike 9.5", weight 2.5 pounds. Lots of variations of course but that gives the general idea. My biggest boarding axe is a Swedish 1780 model. Length 37", blade to point 11", weight 3.5 pounds. Boarding axes are light for fast work whether chopping through burning rigging or breaking heads. Your axe is a major work horse. Google Large French Fire axe and you'll find similar. One like yours dated 1800s - but I think date is wrong. Regards CC

21st March 2017, 01:09 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,270	I agree; I actually saw that type of boarding ax in Baltimore and it did look similar to mine, however, it was much smaller and only weighed 2 or 3 lbs.Maybe, the ax that I own is a later nautical fire ax.

25th March 2017, 11:21 PM	#5
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Please try to weigh your axe. Heavy as full-sized fire axes are, 12-14 pounds sounds excessive. The long haft and heavy head were crucial for smashing into doors, or directly into wooden walls, and roofs. I agree with CutlassCollector with both identification and date, the shape of the head is somewhat different than the mid-19th century Paris fire department axe I have. I will try to weigh it as well, for comparison.

27th March 2017, 07:51 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,270	Sorry, I just saw your post.The difference between the ax and myself, and myself without the ax is about 9.5 lbs.; I know that this is a poor measurement, but at this time it is the best I can do.