Boarding ax

Boarding Ax (first quarter of the 18th century)

A boarding ax is a type of ax used during the sailing fleet. Used by sailors and pirates in boarding fights. Usually it has a long (up to a meter) handle, reinforced with iron plates - langets . In most cases , it is equipped with a hook on the butt that acts as a hook . Less often there was a blade of a blade. Some had the appearance of halberds due to an additional tip from above. A large number of such axes were supplied to American colonies for trade with settlers and Indians. The latter used the so-called peak tomahawks - analogues of boarding axes. Although overall boarding axes are somewhat heavier weapons.