Description
This is an American halberd-headed boarding axe. It was found in a home in coastal Maine and is constructed from a French boarding axe of the late 17th or early 18th century. The head is forged and is attached in an unusual manner with a twelve inch long flat tang that is slotted and riveted internally to the pole. The spike is very heavy and contains four ridges and separated by a brass feral. The end of the shaft contains a shaped ball finial in the manner of naval pikes and boarding axes. The halberd is seven feet overall and the head is eleven inches with a six inch semi-circle blade. There is a "7" stamped on the axe head which probably represents rack number. This halberd-headed boarding axe has been illustrated but this is the first actual example to be found. This most likely was used by a Maine privateer during the American Revolutionary War. Maine was the home for many privateers during the Revolution and one in particular was Captain Henry Hodge, who once owned my residence in Wiscasset. Both the halberd-headed boarding axe and the short handled boarding axe are being offered together as they represent two rare examples of early boarding axes. The boarding axe closely resembles the halberd and is also forged. "47" is stamped on the head of the axe. They are both in excellent condition.
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