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Here is a rare form of a late 18th century fire fighting and naval boarding axe recently discovered in India.
The spiked heads were found in India at same location the flat handles Skene type tomahawks were found. Only one had an original handle so reproduction copies of the haft were made of hard to find Indian rosewood. The head was preserved in grease and the handles wood is gorgeous and will only look better with age.
The circa 1780 steel head is hand hammer forged, not cast, and expertly ground. It is 8" from edge to tip.
Solid rosewood 18" hafts are new, treated with Kramer's Best Antique Improver.
These were used as boarding weapons and to cut away burning rigging on ships under fire from black powder cannonballs. Made circa 1780s the heads remained in India after hostilities between the U.S. and Britain ended 1783.
The last two photos show an as found axe with 18th century handle.
The original makers descendants still owned them until I imported a few with handles. Please study the photos for condition and ask questions. Thank you, a signed COA will be provided.l
