Hi,

I've recently developed an interest in British naval boarding weapon (cutlasses, axes, pikes and firearms). If any of you could point me to some good books, articles or other sources on the subject, I'd be much obliged.

Alternatively, if you have something interesting to say about naval boarding weapons, please do so.

I recommend George C. Neumann's Swords and Blades of the American Revolution. It has photos and dimensions of plenty of naval cutlasses and spadroons,and even a couple of boarding pikes.

My friends who collect naval weapons all recommend Boarders Away, Volume One: With Steel and Boarders Away, Volume Two: Firearms of the Age of Fighting Sail.

Jonathan

@Roger

Thanks, that is definitely on my "to get" list.

@Jonathan

Thank you, those seem to fit the bill perfectly. I'll definitely check out the Steel book.


I also discovered: Naval Swords and Dirks: A Study of British, French and American Naval Swords, Cutlasses and Dirks During the Age of Fighting Sail at: http://www.amazon.com/Naval-Swords-Dirks-Amer...amp;sr=8-1

From Sim Comfort's website, regarding the above referenced book:

Quote:

Naval Swords and Dirks reflects the weapons that a naval officer and his men would have used to gain their fame and is written as a companion to both Boarders Away and Swords for Sea Service. The object is to provide a number of colour images for each of 174 British, 21 French and 33 American hangers, cutlasses, officers’ swords and dirks. Included are fine images of hilts, but also all makers’ scabbard cartouches and details of blade design and marks, (1,750 plus colour images). In addition, the text provides a lively commentary by a collector written for fellow collectors and curators which includes a detailed description of each piece and biographical information to the many provenanced swords. A Glossary and comprehensive Index are also provided.

Here is Sim's site:

http://www.simcomfort.demon.co.uk/

Jonathan