Abstract: An assembly and method for an axial compressor includes an axial shaft extending between an inlet casing and a discharge casing along the longitudinal length of a compressor housing. The axial shaft assembly includes a first stub shaft, a second stub shaft, and a hollow shaft drum having a longitudinal axis. The first stub shaft and the second stub shaft are coupled to opposing ends of the shaft drum along its longitudinal axis. A plurality of keys is disposed in a radial arrangement near the outer circumference of the first and second stub shafts and the shaft drum. A plurality of pins engage the plurality of keys, whereby the pins prevent the shaft drum from rotating axially relative to the first stub shaft and the second stub shaft and prevent the shaft drum from axially and radially separating from the stub shafts.