-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EJFAwgCcyk9TjgHFcSfIfM1UFIa67J2I+go8JVmLFPCcuKRAF57E7+uFpvC0SWV5
 m5/6SFh1MTS6woZVaibUjQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-020662.txt : 20081210
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-020662.hdr.sgml : 20081210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081210140842
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-020662
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAMM RICHARD F JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001230157

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-16182
		FILM NUMBER:		081240675

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6370 OXBOW BEND
		CITY:			CHANHASSEN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55317

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000206030
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS & LENSES [3827]
		IRS NUMBER:				111962029
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		175 CAPITAL BLVD SUITE 103
		CITY:			ROCKY HILL
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018711500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		175 CAPITAL BLVD SUITE 103
		CITY:			ROCKY HILL
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06067

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VERNITRON CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000206030</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AXYS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001230157</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAMM RICHARD F JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>175 CAPITAL BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 103</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROCKY HILL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>1</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>56.63</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.667</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3395</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>67.108</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-05-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-08-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5295</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.667</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>68.207</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-05-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-08-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1900</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1300</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualifed Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.667</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>69.17</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-05-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-08-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1300</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.667</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>70.01</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-05-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-08-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.387</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-05-10</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-05-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4700</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>11.973</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-04</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2507</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2507</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options - right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>19.080</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-05-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-05-05</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock, $0.01 par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1572</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1572</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted Stock.  Options vest 100% on the day immediately preceeding the 2009 regularly scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company.  2009 meeting date is not scheduled as of this filing date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 1,500 shares of previously restricted stock.  The restriction was lifted on May 14, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Average Sell Price ($66.66 to $67.64)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Average Sell Price ($67.77 to $68.71)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Average Sell Price ($68.79 to $69.72)</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David A. Almeida, as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>exhibit24-hamm.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
For Executing Forms 3, 4 and 5


	KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Stephen W. Bershad and David A.
Almeida, signing singly, as a true and lawful attorney in fact
for the undersigned and until such authority is specifically
revoked to:

1	execute for and on behalf of the undersigned Forms 3,
4 and 5, or other comparable or replacement Forms, in
accordance with Section 16a of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder;

2	perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the
undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to
complete the execution of any such Form 3, 4 or 5, or
amendments thereto, or other comparable or
replacement Forms under Section 16(a), and the timely
filing of such Form with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission and any other required
authority; and

3	take any other action of any type whatsoever in
connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion
of such attorney in fact, may be of benefit to, in
the best interest of, or legally required by, the
undersigned, it being understood that the documents
executed by such attorney in fact on behalf of the
undersigned pursuant to this instrument shall be in
such form and shall contain such terms and conditions
as such attorney in fact may approve.

	The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney in fact
full power and authority to perform all and every act and thing
whatsoever requisite, necessary and proper to be done in the
exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully
to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if
personally present, with full power of substitution or
revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such
attorney in fact, or any substitute or substitutes, shall
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of
attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The
undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys in fact, in
serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are
not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply
with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

	IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this
instrument to be executed as of this 4th day of September 2008.

s Richard F. Hamm, Jr.
Signature

Richard F. Hamm, Jr.
	      Print Name
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
