The one that got away...

M ELEY · 2nd February 2010, 05:58 AM

I'm so depressed... I watched this one up until the end, but didn't have the $$$ to bid

http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-FIRE-FIGHTER...item35a63d9304

Although later British fire axes closely resemble their earlier boarding axe cousins, I am convinced that this one was the real McCoy. A boarding axe, that is, mid-19th c., undoubtedly private purchase. Note the rounded cap that resembles the govt naval issue boarding pieces. The later fire axes had more subtle heads that didn't look like this. Also, note the wicked down-curved spike and extended haft. Not tremendously different than the Brit fire axe, but enough to make it stand out. Finally, I believe the "twine" around the haft acting as grip to be typical sailor marline knotwork. Now, if you will excure me, I'm going off into a corner to cry...

Unless someone doesn't agree (believe me, I'd be happy to be wrong)

Gavin Nugent · 2nd February 2010, 07:31 AM

Geez mate, you should have let me know, being in my neck of the woods, I could have carried that for you until you were ready.

I look forward to seeing how the discussion transpires.

Gav

M ELEY · 2nd February 2010, 08:15 AM

Thanks, Gavin. I should have thought of that-

Dmitry · 2nd February 2010, 03:50 PM

No need to lament just yet. This is not a boarding axe. The blade and the pick are paper-thin. There is no taper at all.

The one that should be lamented is this -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I bought it.

M ELEY · 2nd February 2010, 09:02 PM

Now that WAS a steal, Dmitry!

Congrats on that one. As a person of limited income for collecting, I can appreciate a bargain and every once in a blue moon, one comes around.

Actually, now that you point it out, the blade on the axe does look a little on the thin side. Still, an old piece. There is such a fine line when it comes to these, as ship-board fire axes literally evolved from their fighting predecessors. I feel better now. Again, good job on landing that beautiful sword! Now, I can lament not seeing your sword auction-

Dmitry · 2nd February 2010, 09:21 PM

Let's save these photos for posterity.
Look at the pick end again, and imagine if you'd drove it into, say, an oak door. Do you think a flat-planed blade would be easy to pull out, provided it didn't break upon impact?
Paraphrasing the great Levine - "Read the axe, not the story". In this case the seller was right - it is a fire axe, [probably used to hang on a wall of a janitor's closet].

2nd February 2010, 05:58 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,070	The one that got away... I'm so depressed... I watched this one up until the end, but didn't have the $$$ to bid http://cgi.ebay.com/OLD-FIRE-FIGHTER...item35a63d9304 Although later British fire axes closely resemble their earlier boarding axe cousins, I am convinced that this one was the real McCoy. A boarding axe, that is, mid-19th c., undoubtedly private purchase. Note the rounded cap that resembles the govt naval issue boarding pieces. The later fire axes had more subtle heads that didn't look like this. Also, note the wicked down-curved spike and extended haft. Not tremendously different than the Brit fire axe, but enough to make it stand out. Finally, I believe the "twine" around the haft acting as grip to be typical sailor marline knotwork. Now, if you will excure me, I'm going off into a corner to cry... Unless someone doesn't agree (believe me, I'd be happy to be wrong)

2nd February 2010, 07:31 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Geez mate Geez mate, you should have let me know, being in my neck of the woods, I could have carried that for you until you were ready. I look forward to seeing how the discussion transpires. Gav

2nd February 2010, 03:50 PM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	No need to lament just yet. This is not a boarding axe. The blade and the pick are paper-thin. There is no taper at all. The one that should be lamented is this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT I bought it. Attached Images Last edited by Dmitry; 2nd February 2010 at 04:23 PM.

2nd February 2010, 09:21 PM	#6
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	Let's save these photos for posterity. Look at the pick end again, and imagine if you'd drove it into, say, an oak door. Do you think a flat-planed blade would be easy to pull out, provided it didn't break upon impact? Paraphrasing the great Levine - "Read the axe, not the story". In this case the seller was right - it is a fire axe, [probably used to hang on a wall of a janitor's closet]. Attached Images

2nd February 2010, 08:15 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,070	Thanks, Gavin. I should have thought of that-

2nd February 2010, 09:02 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,070	Now that WAS a steal, Dmitry! Congrats on that one. As a person of limited income for collecting, I can appreciate a bargain and every once in a blue moon, one comes around. Actually, now that you point it out, the blade on the axe does look a little on the thin side. Still, an old piece. There is such a fine line when it comes to these, as ship-board fire axes literally evolved from their fighting predecessors. I feel better now. Again, good job on landing that beautiful sword! Now, I can lament not seeing your sword auction-