French Boarding Axe?

Scallywag76 · 11th April 2025, 02:59 PM

CC, thanks for the information! I read through your site rather thoroughly doing research before posting. Supposedly the axe I linked at the Pirate Lair has some markings but I’m not sure I can make them out in their photos. Mine is too pitted to make anything out unfortunately.

I’m very tempted to put a new handle on this. I have an ash shovel handle I could cut down to about 16-24 inches and carve into a shape similar to what I’ve seen on most historic axes. For langets I’d possibly go with brass as I don’t believe I’ve got access to a forge to make them from steel. Are there any historic accounts of brass langets either as original or as shipboard repairs? Also would langets be paired with a typical wedge or are they a standalone means of attaching head to handle? Thanks!

kronckew · 14th April 2025, 09:30 PM

Brass in contact with iron/steel is not a good idea. In damp or wet it can cause galvanic corrosion to the axe.

CutlassCollector · 15th April 2025, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scallywag76

For langets I’d possibly go with brass as I don’t believe I’ve got access to a forge to make them from steel. Are there any historic accounts of brass langets either as original or as shipboard repairs? Also would langets be paired with a typical wedge or are they a standalone means of attaching head to handle? Thanks!

No, I don't think I have ever seen brass langets and probably for the reason Kronckew points out.

Langets secure the head better than a wedge so wedges not necessary. British axes have integral langets so not a problem. The French ones are loose and fore and aft with lugs over the top that stop movement in that direction but there needs to be a step in the wood to prevent movement in the other.

Early US axes were wedged but had no langets, but they often had a pin through the head and shaft at the eye. I guess, in combat you did not want to rely solely on a wedge.

You may be able to find a local blacksmith or metal worker that can make the langets. Remember also the belt hook.

French axe handles were around 53 cm long but obviously you need to be aware of the proportions of the head.

Hope that helps.

Scallywag76 · 17th April 2025, 02:52 AM

I hadn’t considered the corrosion issue due to the prevalence of brass guards on steel swords or knives but that does make sense. I’ll see if I can find someone to make steel langets after I finish carving down a handle. I may leave off the belt hook however as the hafted example with a matching head on the Pirates Lair doesn’t have one. If Mark is correct that this predates the year 1800, I’m curious by how much. I know CC’s site mentions the possibility that belt loops didn’t become standard on French boarding axes until the latter half of the 1700’s.

11th April 2025, 02:59 PM	#1
Scallywag76 Member Join Date: Apr 2025 Posts: 3	CC, thanks for the information! I read through your site rather thoroughly doing research before posting. Supposedly the axe I linked at the Pirate Lair has some markings but I’m not sure I can make them out in their photos. Mine is too pitted to make anything out unfortunately. I’m very tempted to put a new handle on this. I have an ash shovel handle I could cut down to about 16-24 inches and carve into a shape similar to what I’ve seen on most historic axes. For langets I’d possibly go with brass as I don’t believe I’ve got access to a forge to make them from steel. Are there any historic accounts of brass langets either as original or as shipboard repairs? Also would langets be paired with a typical wedge or are they a standalone means of attaching head to handle? Thanks!

14th April 2025, 09:30 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Brass in contact with iron/steel is not a good idea. In damp or wet it can cause galvanic corrosion to the axe.

17th April 2025, 02:52 AM	#4
Scallywag76 Member Join Date: Apr 2025 Posts: 3	I hadn’t considered the corrosion issue due to the prevalence of brass guards on steel swords or knives but that does make sense. I’ll see if I can find someone to make steel langets after I finish carving down a handle. I may leave off the belt hook however as the hafted example with a matching head on the Pirates Lair doesn’t have one. If Mark is correct that this predates the year 1800, I’m curious by how much. I know CC’s site mentions the possibility that belt loops didn’t become standard on French boarding axes until the latter half of the 1700’s.