November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
A good and complete example of the Modèle 1833 Hache d’Abordage or Model 1833 Boarding Axe, adopted by the French Navy and fitting the dimensions specified found in an extant document for such, dated 1835, in the archives of the French artillery. The steel head measures 9" long from center of blade to end of spike, while the curved blade is 4-7/8" wide and the anchor touchmark of the French Ministry of the Marine is on both sides of the blade. The form of the head is one of two variants known for the M1833 axe, this one having the slightly longer (3-1/2") and straighter spike. It is still mounted on its original haft with langets and sheet iron belt hook, the haft retaining its original black japanned finish, much of which also still remains on the ax head and metal fittings. CONDITION: Overall quite good and complete but could benefit from light cleaning; some nicks to the blade and there is a slight (1/8") chipped loss to the tip of the spike; light surface oxidation on metal parts; a few remnants of old cellophane tape wraps are found on the lower half of the haft. JLK
Item Dimensions: 22 x 9"