British or Napoleonic French Military Farriers Axe

 A large military issue Farriers Axe. During the Napoleonic period, and later on in the 19th century, farriers in army service carried long and heavy axes as part of their kit. Although these could be used in an emergency for fighting, their primary use was logistical: the branded hooves of deceased military horses needed to be removed in order to prove that they had indeed died (and had not been stolen). Napoleon’s Pioneer Corps also carried axes that were used for clearing vegetation—a practice employed by similar units in other armies.The head is large and heavy, with a wide crescentic cutting edge and a square peen to the reverse. The long handle is probably mahogany wood, with age wear and patination, markings, the bottom of the haft has a hole. The head seems to have been reaffixed but all is solid and sound. 36 inches approximately, the blade 10 inches from point to point. A very interesting and scarce piece. european naval boarding axe