Rare European Combination Boarding Axe/Flintlock Pistol, 2nd Half 18th C

Description

Featuring heavy center-hung axe head with slightly convex 8 3/8″ cutting edge and
rectangular hammer head on reverse; deeply stamped on one side with a maker’s mark.
Wooden handle with inset flintlock mechanism and 18″ octagonal to round barrel of 9mm
caliber. Lockplate with gold filled stamped maker’s mark; exposed trigger with no trigger
guard. Lock and barrel with dark brown finish; axe head with patches of moderate pitting.
Wood stock shows great age and minor worming. Overall length 28 ½”. A scarce weapon
which allowed naval boarding parties to get off a shot as they went into action.
Scandinavians developed a boarding axe-pistol in the early 18th C and produced them in
some quantity which were in use well into the 19th C. One example is illustrated on page
32 in “Boarders Away”, Wm. Gilkerson, 1991.