Featured in this lot is this early 1800s forged iron naval boarding axe. Forged spike axes were commonly used during the American Colonial and American Revolutionary War periods. Before the emergence of propeller-driven steel-hulled ships in the late 19th century, the naval boarding ax was the most important and flexible weapon employed aboard a naval vessel. Used as an effective weapon or sidearm in close quarters combat, either as a boarder or in repelling boarders. Also used to gather or cut rope, remove hot-shot from the wood hulls to avoid fires, and allow naval troops or boarders to climb up the side of a wooden hull on an opposing vessel. The axe shows a wood handle construction and a forged iron axe head with rivets down the side of the metal, connecting the head of the axe to the shaft. The spike is shows a slight downward inclination, common on British boarding axes, as Scandinavian and French boarding axes had more of a curve. The axe shows good condition overall with wear present from its age and use over the years but no major signs of damage is noted. The axe head is secure and has no play or give to it. The axe measures 16" L x 7" W x 1 5/16" D and weighs 1 pound and 10 ounces.

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