May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
This rare example of an early 19th-century American boarding axe appears to be a third variant in form for what is commonly known to collectors as a “U.S. Navy Boarding Axe, Type III” and for many years was wrongly placed in the chronology of development and use as post-War of 1812, although more recent documentation and study has proven that this form predates the “Type II” and is most definitely a form used prior to and during the War of 1812. It differs from the two versions of US Navy marked, Type III axes in that there are no “teeth” cut into the bottom of the blade. Otherwise, it is nearly identical in overall form and method of forged construction, including the side-ears or langets terminating in capped cover over the eyelet or poll opening at top, this axe’s cap being split, eg., each langet having a separate half-cap end over the axe. Its spike-end is also slightly shorter and more curved than the two other versions. The cutting edge of the blade is 3 - 1/8" wide and 4 - 1/4" long to the poll, while the overall length from blade to spike tip is 8 - 3/4”. The langets or side-straps are 6 - 3/4” long and the axe depth from top of the cap to bottom of the haft is 13 - 1/2". The haft appears to be made of ash or another, straight-grained hardwood. While possibly a third contract variant of US Navy axes of this form, it is just as likely a private contract boarding axe made for privateers and private armed ships. CONDITION: the metal has been cleaned bright, with forging marks and some light pitting evident, while the haft (which is probably original) has been reduced to probably half of its original length. PROVENANCE: Found on the North Shore and formerly in the collection of the late Jack Weil of Marblehead, Massachusetts. JLK