Revolutionary Fascine Knife

M ELEY · 4th October 2011, 06:00 AM

Ahh, I should have recognised the ship's name. I've read a book on Surcouf awhile back. Interesting fellow...and unlike most pirates, a hero in his homeland. Thanks again for the great illustration.

broadaxe · 7th October 2011, 04:35 PM

Actually this illustration is pretty accurate, showing the french boarding axe of that period. http://www.swordandstone.com/weapons...ges/fr_axe.jpg

Dmitry · 12th October 2011, 04:54 AM

Below is a boarding axe as part of decorations on one of my small-swords. It is hallmarked by a London silversmith to what I believe is the year 1755. The lion with a snake/serpent in his paws was a popular Victory motif for the British. The snake would at various times represent the plethora of diverse enemies of England, most notably the French.

Billman · 21st October 2011, 12:33 PM

Thanks for all the images of the 'boarding axes' - I will send the link on to my Canadian friend who sent me the picture of the one discovered in Quebec. I have seen almost identical from the Roman era, so it is likely (as with the billhook and other edge tools) a shape that has remained in common use for hundreds, of not thousands, of years....

Re the billhook that started this line, it is back for sale again - I'll send Dmitry a PM with the link.... thus avoiding any controversy in a public forum..

One of the great things about this and other forums is the sharing of knowledge, and expertise....

whistlinbill · 29th October 2011, 06:57 AM

I'd be right careful about buying any sort of "Revolutionary fascine knife", no matter how much they look like the photos in collector books. That hook-bill shape was used all over the world for cutting brush, trimming tea and coffee
plants, etc., etc. The main problem at hand is to find out where the particular rusty relic (typically unmarked, or if marked, undocumented) actually originated.
In my experience, LOTS of these have come from Mexico, where they use
them to this day--I used to travel down there, and have a beer case or
two of them, some whole, some broken, that I bought in Mexico. And they
ARE rusty. And they DO look old (and some of them probably ARE old),
and I defy you to definitely tell by style or looks, that they started life south of the border!
Bill

Billman · 6th November 2011, 01:36 PM

Hi Bill

Yes, a lot of Revolutionary Fascine Knives are a) much later b) non military in origin and usage - one has to look very closely, even at those sold by the 'experts' - despite that one can find some nice examples of ordinary billhooks at reasonable prices...

This one I bought from the US - but even I have no idea of its origin... The little ring may have been welded on later, but a similar feature is found on Italian and Spanish blades, but on the other side, next to the cutting edge..

I know almost nothing of the Mexican billhook - so would love to see some images of what is used there... If not on open forum, by PM or please contact me via by website - Google search for billhooks and look for a co.uk address...

Bob

12th October 2011, 04:54 AM	#3
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	Below is a boarding axe as part of decorations on one of my small-swords. It is hallmarked by a London silversmith to what I believe is the year 1755. The lion with a snake/serpent in his paws was a popular Victory motif for the British. The snake would at various times represent the plethora of diverse enemies of England, most notably the French. Attached Images

29th October 2011, 06:57 AM	#5
whistlinbill Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24	Gun show provenance and collectible (?) knives I'd be right careful about buying any sort of "Revolutionary fascine knife", no matter how much they look like the photos in collector books. That hook-bill shape was used all over the world for cutting brush, trimming tea and coffee plants, etc., etc. The main problem at hand is to find out where the particular rusty relic (typically unmarked, or if marked, undocumented) actually originated. In my experience, LOTS of these have come from Mexico, where they use them to this day--I used to travel down there, and have a beer case or two of them, some whole, some broken, that I bought in Mexico. And they ARE rusty. And they DO look old (and some of them probably ARE old), and I defy you to definitely tell by style or looks, that they started life south of the border! Bill

6th November 2011, 01:36 PM	#6
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Hi Bill Yes, a lot of Revolutionary Fascine Knives are a) much later b) non military in origin and usage - one has to look very closely, even at those sold by the 'experts' - despite that one can find some nice examples of ordinary billhooks at reasonable prices... This one I bought from the US - but even I have no idea of its origin... The little ring may have been welded on later, but a similar feature is found on Italian and Spanish blades, but on the other side, next to the cutting edge.. I know almost nothing of the Mexican billhook - so would love to see some images of what is used there... If not on open forum, by PM or please contact me via by website - Google search for billhooks and look for a co.uk address... Bob Attached Images

4th October 2011, 06:00 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Ahh, I should have recognised the ship's name. I've read a book on Surcouf awhile back. Interesting fellow...and unlike most pirates, a hero in his homeland. Thanks again for the great illustration.

7th October 2011, 04:35 PM	#2
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Actually this illustration is pretty accurate, showing the french boarding axe of that period. http://www.swordandstone.com/weapons...ges/fr_axe.jpg

21st October 2011, 12:33 PM	#4
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Thanks for all the images of the 'boarding axes' - I will send the link on to my Canadian friend who sent me the picture of the one discovered in Quebec. I have seen almost identical from the Roman era, so it is likely (as with the billhook and other edge tools) a shape that has remained in common use for hundreds, of not thousands, of years.... Re the billhook that started this line, it is back for sale again - I'll send Dmitry a PM with the link.... thus avoiding any controversy in a public forum.. One of the great things about this and other forums is the sharing of knowledge, and expertise....