An American Type I boarding axe? Or not!

M ELEY · 13th February 2024, 08:25 PM

This auction just ended and due to my reservations, I steered clear of it. On first glance, it appears to be a pattern I American boarding axe, an extremely rare find indeed! However, it's styling is a little more provincial in nature and no 'Tarbell' marking to indicate government contract. I have seen, however, so called private purchase types of the period that would have imitated the pattern (see Rankin's naval swords/weapons book for examples), so still a possibility?

My issues were with the poor construction and open ozidizing to the spike. Despite there being some patina, not to the degree I would expect for a ca. 1790-1800 period piece? Finally, the haft seems too 'light' for me and could easily have been fashioned from an old rake handle, shovel, etc.

So what do you think?

13th February 2024, 08:25 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,073	An American Type I boarding axe? Or not! This auction just ended and due to my reservations, I steered clear of it. On first glance, it appears to be a pattern I American boarding axe, an extremely rare find indeed! However, it's styling is a little more provincial in nature and no 'Tarbell' marking to indicate government contract. I have seen, however, so called private purchase types of the period that would have imitated the pattern (see Rankin's naval swords/weapons book for examples), so still a possibility? My issues were with the poor construction and open ozidizing to the spike. Despite there being some patina, not to the degree I would expect for a ca. 1790-1800 period piece? Finally, the haft seems too 'light' for me and could easily have been fashioned from an old rake handle, shovel, etc. So what do you think? Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 13th February 2024 at 08:42 PM.