A boarding axe for comments

M ELEY · 4th April 2025, 03:09 AM

Thanks for replying, Jim. It is true that these types of axes are indeed from a very specific area of collecting, but a very fascinating area given the time period and activity for these. The Age of Fighting Sail mostly came to a conclusion close to the mid-19th century, with the advent of steam-driven ships, ironclads and the very fast China Sea clippers. Cannons were transitioning over from smooth bore to shells, from swivel guns at the rail to turreted rifled cannons. Even the guns were changing from single shot flint-locks to multi-shot cartridge pistols. Things like boarding pikes and cutlasses were rapidly becoming obsolescent. Gone were the days of close-melee fighting on the deck, grappling hooks being flung into the enemies' rigging and planks being dropped between ships to assist the boarding parties crossing. These iconic weapons and tools from this era represent both graphic ferocity and blood-letting, but also true adventure, bravery beyond belief and the dedication of these sailors to their home nation.

Thanks for that pic, BTW! It is exactly what I think of when I imagine how it must have been!

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4th April 2025, 03:09 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,158	Thanks for replying, Jim. It is true that these types of axes are indeed from a very specific area of collecting, but a very fascinating area given the time period and activity for these. The Age of Fighting Sail mostly came to a conclusion close to the mid-19th century, with the advent of steam-driven ships, ironclads and the very fast China Sea clippers. Cannons were transitioning over from smooth bore to shells, from swivel guns at the rail to turreted rifled cannons. Even the guns were changing from single shot flint-locks to multi-shot cartridge pistols. Things like boarding pikes and cutlasses were rapidly becoming obsolescent. Gone were the days of close-melee fighting on the deck, grappling hooks being flung into the enemies' rigging and planks being dropped between ships to assist the boarding parties crossing. These iconic weapons and tools from this era represent both graphic ferocity and blood-letting, but also true adventure, bravery beyond belief and the dedication of these sailors to their home nation. Thanks for that pic, BTW! It is exactly what I think of when I imagine how it must have been!