1700s belt axe or hatchet

[lenmac65]

I dug this axe head about a week ago by a pre-1850 cellar hole and posted it on the “what is it” forum. I got some good feedback that confirms my thinking that this is possibly a 1700s belt axe or hatchet/tomahawk. It is about six inches long, has no back edge poll to speak of, and appears to have a seam, perhaps formed when the iron was folded over in the forging process. I also see a small vertical indentation, which I think might be the remains of a blacksmith maker’s mark, similar to the one in the non-dug photo of a 1700s trade axe. The axe shape looks very similar to this Kentucky Style axe I found posted online, which also claims to be 1700s. I have not dug many other items to help date it, though I did find (and post) a 1700s coin spill about 100 feet from this hole back in January (two Fugios, 1754 2-reale, and a 1797 LC). I am pretty excited about this axe, and will hang it in my shed with some other axes, horseshoes, and locks. If anyone on this forum has any thoughts about the age or axe type, I’d love to hear them. Thanks and happy hunting.

 

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[nagant]

Sure looks a perfect match to me! I'd find a way to clean it up. Nice.

 

[pepperj]

Congrats, certainly a top shelf recovery
Plan for restoration if any?

 

[BennyV]

Looks like a dead ringer to me based on shape and size

 

[Tpmetal]

looks like a 1700's fur trade era axe to me for sure. Great find!

 

[Digger RJ]

I dug this axe head about a week ago by a pre-1850 cellar hole and posted it on the “what is it” forum. I got some good feedback that confirms my thinking that this is possibly a 1700s belt axe or hatchet/tomahawk. It is about six inches long, has no back edge poll to speak of, and appears to have a seam, perhaps formed when the iron was folded over in the forging process. I also see a small vertical indentation, which I think might be the remains of a blacksmith maker’s mark, similar to the one in the non-dug photo of a 1700s trade axe. The axe shape looks very similar to this Kentucky Style axe I found posted online, which also claims to be 1700s. I have not dug many other items to help date it, though I did find (and post) a 1700s coin spill about 100 feet from this hole back in January (two Fugios, 1754 2-reale, and a 1797 LC). I am pretty excited about this axe, and will hang it in my shed with some other axes, horseshoes, and locks. If anyone on this forum has any thoughts about the age or axe type, I’d love to hear them. Thanks and happy hunting.View attachment 2058791View attachment 2058792View attachment 2058793View attachment 2058794View attachment 2058795View attachment 2058796

Cool old Hatchet!!!!! Congrats!!!!

 

[oldmxrat]

Nice find, would love to see it after a dip in the electrolysis tank!

 

[lenmac65]

Congrats, certainly a top shelf recovery
Plan for restoration if any?

Thanks! I would like to try electrolysis, but I don’t have a set up. Plus, I would probably gas or shock myself 😁. Might look into any way, or soak in white vinegar, which I think some have had success with. It would be nice to clean it up a bit, for sure.

 

[lenmac65]

Nice find, would love to see it after a dip in the electrolysis tank!

Thanks. I really need to look into making a set up, as I would love to clean this up.

 

[oldmxrat]

Thanks. I really need to look into making a set up, as I would love to clean this up.

Super easy, just a plastic bucket, a car battery or charger(not automatic), a random chunk of steel for an anode and some washing soda. Blam!, rust gone. Just hook your pos. lead to the chunk of steel and the neg. to your work with about 1/4 cup washing soda per gallon.
Can't wait to see it cleaned up!

 

[pepperj]

Thanks! I would like to try electrolysis, but I don’t have a set up. Plus, I would probably gas or shock myself 😁. Might look into any way, or soak in white vinegar, which I think some have had success with. It would be nice to clean it up a bit, for sure.

Apple cider vinegar has been used before.
Setting up a tank is this next years project for myself.

 

[CAP]

I dug one years ago. It had a very distinct British broad arrow. The French would stamp the fleur-de-lis on their trade goods as well.

 

[lenmac65]

Super easy, just a plastic bucket, a car battery or charger(not automatic), a random chunk of steel for an anode and some washing soda. Blam!, rust gone. Just hook your pos. lead to the chunk of steel and the neg. to your work with about 1/4 cup washing soda per gallon.
Can't wait to see it cleaned up!

Thanks for the info. That does sound easy, though I don’t have a charger. I would have to get one or some other sort of power supply.

 

[lenmac65]

I dug one years ago. It had a very distinct British broad arrow. The French would stamp the fleur-de-lis on their trade goods as well.

Thanks. Very cool! Did you clean yours up? If so, what method? Was the mark real obvious, or did you have to de-rust it to see it? It would be great if electrolysis made the mark on my axe clearer.

 

[Rhapsody]

I dug this axe head about a week ago by a pre-1850 cellar hole and posted it on the “what is it” forum. I got some good feedback that confirms my thinking that this is possibly a 1700s belt axe or hatchet/tomahawk. It is about six inches long, has no back edge poll to speak of, and appears to have a seam, perhaps formed when the iron was folded over in the forging process. I also see a small vertical indentation, which I think might be the remains of a blacksmith maker’s mark, similar to the one in the non-dug photo of a 1700s trade axe. The axe shape looks very similar to this Kentucky Style axe I found posted online, which also claims to be 1700s. I have not dug many other items to help date it, though I did find (and post) a 1700s coin spill about 100 feet from this hole back in January (two Fugios, 1754 2-reale, and a 1797 LC). I am pretty excited about this axe, and will hang it in my shed with some other axes, horseshoes, and locks. If anyone on this forum has any thoughts about the age or axe type, I’d love to hear them. Thanks and happy hunting.View attachment 2058791View attachment 2058792View attachment 2058793View attachment 2058794View attachment 2058795View attachment 2058796

liking the big iron, I'm getting into some electro this winter for sure hopefully u r 2, good luck with the restoration

 

[Rhapsody]

Thanks for the info. That does sound easy, though I don’t have a charger. I would have to get one or some other sort of power supply.

I found an old plug in transformer style plug for an old cordless phone from nineties, cut the cylindrical plug off and stripped wires back and crimped on copper alligator clips (do not use stainless steel it creates chromium gas very bad for you) pretty easy cheap power source a dollar at most thriftstores (@9v output is good but use big enough clips for larger artifacts)

 

[CAP]

Thanks. Very cool! Did you clean yours up? If so, what method? Was the mark real obvious, or did you have to de-rust it to see it? It would be great if electrolysis made the mark on my axe clearer.

It was clear as soon as I dug it. It was in remarkable shape with little oxidation. Probably because it was under this flat rock about a foot square. I figure the rock protected it all those years.Apparently it was new when lost. No wear could be found on it. I have placed several of my iron artifacts in distilled water and calcium carbonate until I can properly conserve them.

 

[nagant]

I used an old wallwart 12 volt transformer too. Used powdered citric acid for canning. But tons of youtubes on the process.

 

[Rhapsody]

I used an old wallwart 12 volt transformer too. Used powdered citric acid for canning. But tons of youtubes on the process.

million variations on the process for sure

 

[lenmac65]

I found an old plug in transformer style plug for an old cordless phone from nineties, cut the cylindrical plug off and stripped wires back and crimped on copper alligator clips (do not use stainless steel it creates chromium gas very bad for you) pretty easy cheap power source a dollar at most thriftstores (@9v output is good but use big enough clips for larger artifacts)

Thanks! I might have something like that lying around from a cordless or cell phone.