The French Duty-axe (hache de service)

Characteristics of the French Duty-axe (hache de service)
  • very large axe (length and weight)
  • oval or tear drop shaped eye
  • blade is much thinner near the poll of the axe
  • slightly elongated poll with "V" shaped notch between lower section of the poll and blade
  • weight is considerable
  • contains a steel insert at the tip of the blade
  • single metal strap that is folded on itself and welded together
  • appears to be a very large trade axe in shape and form

We seem to believe that the French Duty-axes were the largest manufactured axes sent to the interior or used in New-France.  These axes would have most likely been well made with a steel bit, costing more than the other axe types.

Blacksmith Delorme, manufactured 12 duty-axes in 1735 for an outfit of merchandise that was destined for the Illinois country (MMR, Monière, Journal No A, 1752-1753; N.A.C., Microfilm M-850, Vol. 13, p.42).  Timothy J. Kent goes on to say that "The latter implements of high quality, called hache de service, were intended for the use of the residents at the post."1

Many axes were found on various sites however, it is interesting to note that 12 very large axe specimens found at the Trudeau Site range from 8 1/4 up to 9 7/8 inches long, which is an uncommonly large size for an axe.  Would these 12 specimens be French Duty-Axes? (The Trudeau site is near the confluence of the Red River and the Mississippi in south-central Louisiana. Trudeau was the principal village of the Tunica between 1731-1764 and main source of the so-called "Tunica Treasure," a vast amount of high quality European trade goods that were surreptitiously removed from Tunica graves.)

Noted in Saint-Pierre's accounts in Charles Nolan Lamarque's account book from 1 September 1735 to 3 September 1736, Montreal: "One crate containing 8 large service axes (hache de service) @6#""

French Duty-axe (hache de service) specimens

Bottom view of axes (top picture)

Top view of axes (top picture)

Side view of axes (top picture)
Peebles Island facility in "WATERVLIET" NY. (Crown Point axes found in a French context)*Picture by Ken Hamilton - Permission given by Ken Hamilton to reproduce.

 

*Notice the welding or forge line for the steel insert.
Large and very heavy axe measuring 8 1/2" found in a French context in Alabama