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PATTERN 1854 BRITISH NAVY BOARDING AX – WELL
MARKED WITH BOARD OF ORDNANCE PROOF STAMPS – SAILOR
DECORATED - EXCELLENT SPECIMEN IN VERY GOOD CONDITION:
The Pattern 1854 Boarding
Ax was developed for the British Navy and was standard
issue on their ships until it was supplanted by the
Pattern 1859 Boarding Ax. Both patterns of these axes
were manufactured by a number of civilian contractors,
so it was natural that in addition to those made to meet
the obligation to the Royal Navy, they were available
for sale to other nations’ navies, as well as privately
owned vessels. It is known that Pattern 1854 Axes were
purchased by the US Navy and probably by the Confederate
Navy as well, not surprising in light of the large
numbers of sabres, swords, and other cutlery that were
purchased from the British markets by both governments
during the Civil War.
This particular Pattern 1854 Boarding Ax was issued
aboard one of Her Majesty’s Ships, evidenced by a Board
of Ordnance “BO” stamp, each adjacent to the “Broad
Arrow” proof stamp, applied to both sides of the wooden
handle. The left side face of the ax blade is stamped
with a capital “N”, likely the maker’s cartouche, and an
additional “Broad Arrow” stamp.
The presence of the “BO” stamps is significant to dating
this ax, as the Board of Ordnance was abolished in May
of 1855 and its functions were absorbed by the War
Office, resulting in a change of the proof stamp from
“BO” to “WD”. Assuming the change in the stamp took
place immediately, as this pattern of ax was adopted in
1854 the presence of the “BO” stamps on this ax serve to
date it to 1854 or early 1855, during the height of the
Crimea War.
Despite evidence of use aboard a ship of the line, this
Pattern 1854 Boarding Ax has survived the years in very
good condition. The ax blade and clearing pike are both
full form with no loss due to sharpening. The edge of
the blade has none of the commonly found nicks and the
pike shows no wear at all. The left flat of the ax
blade bears a very legible stamped “N”. This may be the
maker’s stamp or an inspector’s initial, however there
has been some speculation that the “N” stands for
“Navy”. I’m not sure that theory holds much water – no
pun intended. While this pattern was used by
merchantmen as well as naval vessels, if the stamp was
intended to identify the ax as property of the Royal
Navy, I would expect the stamp to include both
characters, “RN”, or continue the convention of “BO” as
applied to the handle. In any case, the “N” stamp is
original to the period of use and it is quite legible.
The top of the head of the ax is also stamped “171”, an
inventory control number, no doubt. The head measures
8” from the blade to the tip of the pike and the blade
measures 2 ¾” along the edge. The iron head is overall
smooth with no significant pitting and it has a very
nice naturally aged color.
Two straps integral to, and descending from, the head
capture the oak wood handle or haft and are secured with
two iron rivets. The haft measures just over 14 ¾” and
is full form from the eye of the head to the swell at
the bottom of the grip. Both sides of the haft are
stamped “BO” with the Broad Arrow immediately below the
iron straps. Both sets of these stampings are identical
and from the apparent wear and aging, were certainly
applied during the period of use. The haft is full form
with the only minor wear. The butt of the haft is full
form and was drilled to install a wrist loop, and there
are grooves below the hole on each side, indicating the
loop was in place a long time in order to wear the
grooves in the wood. The haft retains a nice patinated
finish with a surface smooth from handling and a very
attractive color.
Of special note and a true added value, the haft was
decorated by the sailor to whom it was issued. There is
a classic “fouled anchor” nicely carved on the left side
of the haft and the lower end of the top and bottom (as
the ax would be held in use) surfaces were crosshatched
with cuts which would have served to improve the grip on
the wood when wet. All of the stamps and carvings have
the same deep colored patina and no doubt date back to
the period of use of this ax.
While on occasion these Pattern 1854 Boarding Axes
appear on the market, it is unusual to find one with
such legible, and early, Board of Ordnance proof stamps
which confirm its use aboard a British ship of the line
and with the added value of having the sailor applied
decoration. This is a very nice example and one that
will be an attractive addition to your mid-nineteenth
century naval display.
SOLD
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