This was made in Sheffield by Marples & Sons. It would have been a military issue axe to the RAF for use on an airfield or even a Royal Navy fire crew. The axe head has an issue date of 1931, whereas the leather frog is dated 1916 and maker marked R. Stafford.
The ancestry of this axe is the old 18/19th-century naval boarding axe, which had a similar but somewhat larger head on a longer shaft.
The shaft, with some old light woodworm, is of ash. The straps are held by two rivets. There is a little old surface rust to the business end of the axe, but generally this is in good shape for its age. The woodworm has been thoroughly treated with Cuprinol.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Edged Weapons : Polearms : British : 20th Century]
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