Scandinavian Boarding Axe

M ELEY · 31st October 2013, 11:36 AM

Beautiful examples, unfortunately I don't have much to add other than guesswork. I would assume just from the general shape and the fact that they appear to be early cast heads, I would venture private purchase examples, mid-19th, made in the likeness of their earlier cousin. That they are boarding axes seems certain. I know of no fire implements with hafts like these.

CutlassCollector · 1st November 2013, 05:43 PM

Thanks Mark always good to get your opinion. I sometimes wish there was more knowledge to draw on in this area, as apart from Gilkerson I have found very little written sources. Anyone know of any other references on boarding axes - please let me know. CC.

M ELEY · 4th November 2013, 11:53 PM

Hi CC,
Yes, there are next to NO references on boarding axes out there. I think this is one of the reasons so many people either accidentally or purposely list everything from lathing axes to Boy Scout axes as boarding pieces. While hardly having an extensive library, I do have a number of books on maritime weapons, pirates, shipwrecks, weapons, Rev War items, archeaological sites, etc.

The only reference I have found that offers maybe a page or two of material and some good pics is Hartzler and Knowles work- "Indian Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes". Great stuff on spike axes as well (the precursor to the 'Typed' axes we all know).

31st October 2013, 11:36 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Beautiful examples, unfortunately I don't have much to add other than guesswork. I would assume just from the general shape and the fact that they appear to be early cast heads, I would venture private purchase examples, mid-19th, made in the likeness of their earlier cousin. That they are boarding axes seems certain. I know of no fire implements with hafts like these.

1st November 2013, 05:43 PM	#2
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 366	Thanks Mark always good to get your opinion. I sometimes wish there was more knowledge to draw on in this area, as apart from Gilkerson I have found very little written sources. Anyone know of any other references on boarding axes - please let me know. CC.

4th November 2013, 11:53 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Hi CC, Yes, there are next to NO references on boarding axes out there. I think this is one of the reasons so many people either accidentally or purposely list everything from lathing axes to Boy Scout axes as boarding pieces. While hardly having an extensive library, I do have a number of books on maritime weapons, pirates, shipwrecks, weapons, Rev War items, archeaological sites, etc. The only reference I have found that offers maybe a page or two of material and some good pics is Hartzler and Knowles work- "Indian Tomahawks and Frontiersmen Belt Axes". Great stuff on spike axes as well (the precursor to the 'Typed' axes we all know).