the green tomahawk of the Rogers Rangers?

kronckew · 17th August 2022, 05:33 PM

That looks a lot like an American style naval boarding axe, with a typical ball ended haft. American boarding axes were unique in having notches in the blade to help snag ropes and cordage for towing when yards, sails, and masts were shot down. The spike was useful for piking, hooking into wood for dragging as well. Capable of being used as, but not preferred as a weapon.

M ELEY · 17th August 2022, 06:11 PM

Hello Wayne.
Indeed it does resemble a boarding-type ax, probably why I was drawn to it and kept it (you know, the whole 'pirate thing!

). In actuality, boarding axes descended from the earlier 'tomhahawk' axes as they were often listed in early shipping manifests. The spike axes were an excellent choice as a ship ax, as the cutting edge could slash through collapsed rigging, the spike could be used clear the deck by dragging it out of the way and of course as a deadly hand-to-hand weapon in times of battle on the deck.

CutlassCollector · 17th August 2022, 08:31 PM

Some great axes Mark, especially the spike one.

I like the explanation for the square slot although I don't know what a beaver trap looks like!
I have always been sceptical about the nail pulling slots, except for roofing axes. I get it for these with the triangular slot where you would likely find the nail head exposed when replacing a shingle or broken tile.
But I can't imagine many embedded nails being pulled with an axe slot alone in other situations.

Which brings me to the US Civil War naval axe. I have always thought it unlikely that the slots were for nails and OK we can suggest that it retains a link with the earlier US boarding axes, as Wayne's nice pic of a Type III, but was the US navy really that sentimental!

So it would be really interesting to know what the two slots were for?

Regards,
CC

M ELEY · 17th August 2022, 09:12 PM

Excellent point, CC. I really hadn't thought of the CW pattern with its slots as I've always tried to concentrate on earlier patterns, but you are right. As a naval sidearm (for which it still was during the waning days of fighting sail), the slots viewed as nail pullers do seem redundent. Perhaps as you hinted at, they had another purpose onboard the ship? Folks here might have seen another type of old ax with the rectangular cutout opening in the head. I'm told these were used as a sort of wrench to turn adjustable bolts in factories during the Industrial Revolution? I am no tool guy (I can't even change my own oil!

), so my information might be totally bogus, but that ax with the triangular opening is for real-

17th August 2022, 05:33 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	That looks a lot like an American style naval boarding axe, with a typical ball ended haft. American boarding axes were unique in having notches in the blade to help snag ropes and cordage for towing when yards, sails, and masts were shot down. The spike was useful for piking, hooking into wood for dragging as well. Capable of being used as, but not preferred as a weapon. Attached Images

17th August 2022, 06:11 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Hello Wayne. Indeed it does resemble a boarding-type ax, probably why I was drawn to it and kept it (you know, the whole 'pirate thing!). In actuality, boarding axes descended from the earlier 'tomhahawk' axes as they were often listed in early shipping manifests. The spike axes were an excellent choice as a ship ax, as the cutting edge could slash through collapsed rigging, the spike could be used clear the deck by dragging it out of the way and of course as a deadly hand-to-hand weapon in times of battle on the deck.

17th August 2022, 08:31 PM	#3
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 343	Some great axes Mark, especially the spike one. I like the explanation for the square slot although I don't know what a beaver trap looks like! I have always been sceptical about the nail pulling slots, except for roofing axes. I get it for these with the triangular slot where you would likely find the nail head exposed when replacing a shingle or broken tile. But I can't imagine many embedded nails being pulled with an axe slot alone in other situations. Which brings me to the US Civil War naval axe. I have always thought it unlikely that the slots were for nails and OK we can suggest that it retains a link with the earlier US boarding axes, as Wayne's nice pic of a Type III, but was the US navy really that sentimental! So it would be really interesting to know what the two slots were for? Regards, CC Attached Images

17th August 2022, 09:12 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Excellent point, CC. I really hadn't thought of the CW pattern with its slots as I've always tried to concentrate on earlier patterns, but you are right. As a naval sidearm (for which it still was during the waning days of fighting sail), the slots viewed as nail pullers do seem redundent. Perhaps as you hinted at, they had another purpose onboard the ship? Folks here might have seen another type of old ax with the rectangular cutout opening in the head. I'm told these were used as a sort of wrench to turn adjustable bolts in factories during the Industrial Revolution? I am no tool guy (I can't even change my own oil!), so my information might be totally bogus, but that ax with the triangular opening is for real-