Boarding weapons from the Trafalgar era

Jim McDougall · 3rd June 2025, 05:58 PM

Fantastic grouping CC!!!!!
Seen together like this really puts perspective to the circumstances at hand with naval warfare. As noted, while the pike may not be chronologically correct but that is irrelevant as these weapons remained in use for long periods without significant change to elements.

The boarding axe is noted as SARGENT. I would presume this to be William Sargant of Birmingham working there 1803-1814, after that he was partnered with James Wooley. It is noted that items marked to him were found in War of 1812 sites.
It is confusing on the spelling with his name listed SARGANT in references, but not unusual to see variation, its the same guy.

The CRAVEN cutlass is amazing! For a long time it was thought that Thomas Craven only worked 1818-1820 in Birmingham.......one of my very first swords (c. 1866) was a 1796 disc hilt by Craven, and that was the data available in those days.
We now know he worked 1799-1802 at 96 Moor St. Birmingham (Bezdek).

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3rd June 2025, 05:58 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Fantastic grouping CC!!!!! Seen together like this really puts perspective to the circumstances at hand with naval warfare. As noted, while the pike may not be chronologically correct but that is irrelevant as these weapons remained in use for long periods without significant change to elements. The boarding axe is noted as SARGENT. I would presume this to be William Sargant of Birmingham working there 1803-1814, after that he was partnered with James Wooley. It is noted that items marked to him were found in War of 1812 sites. It is confusing on the spelling with his name listed SARGANT in references, but not unusual to see variation, its the same guy. The CRAVEN cutlass is amazing! For a long time it was thought that Thomas Craven only worked 1818-1820 in Birmingham.......one of my very first swords (c. 1866) was a 1796 disc hilt by Craven, and that was the data available in those days. We now know he worked 1799-1802 at 96 Moor St. Birmingham (Bezdek).