EXTREMELY RARE U.S. NAVY BOARDING AXE WITH BLADE DEEP STAMPED "U. S/N.Y.W/J.T". These markings indicate this axe was government issue and made at the Navy Yard Washington where it was inspected by naval officer Joseph Tarbell. Date circa the War of 1812 and this one can be no later than 1813 which was the last year Tarbell was stationed at the Washington Yard. This design is commonly referred to as as the Type III and is unique in that it's made to such a high standard of quality. The steel, wedge shaped blade, has a cut out tooth on the underside and a large spike on the opposite side. On each side of the oval eye are cove moulding decorations.  2 7/8" w. x 10 3/16" l.  The lancets are recessed into the haft and the workmanship fitting them to the head is gun maker quality. The full length, original finish haft terminates with a ball that has two incised lines. The overall length is 24". Condition superb and original in every way and is the finest example I've ever come across. Note that the close up image of the blade markings has been brightened to better see them and the actual color is much darker. Illustrated on page 181 in Norm Flayderman's "Bowie Knife" book and is illustrated and discussed in David Lee's 35 page research paper "The American Naval Boarding Axe". From my personal collection.