Model 1833 Ship's Axe

The Model 1833 ship's axe is a standard-issue weapon of the 19th-century French Navy, designed for shipboard needs: ship maintenance, cutting ropes, emergency interventions, and also as a boarding weapon. It features a wide, flared head with a spike on the back. The handle is made of blackened ash wood and ends in a ball. Two metal braces securely attach the head to the handle. An iron belt hook allows it to be worn on the belt. The head is marked Coulaux & C, which dates its manufacture to after 1838.