Axe Head

[republicfireguy]

Found this axe head today while detecting at a spot that may have been an old mining camp (still working on its exact location, though this weekend narrowed the possibilities). Trying to figure out why one side of the axe is pounded flat. My wife thought it had gotten messed up during forging, which I initially thought might be the case, but then it dawned on me that it already had an edge on it, so it must have been broke and pounded flat for some other reason. Though, I'll admit I don't know squat about forging, so maybe she's right. No manufacturers brand on it, though that probably doesn't mean much. Any thoughts on why it may have been pounded flat are welcome.

I'll admit it's no bronze bull, but I was pretty excited when I found it.

 

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[nov2101]

Poor design during forge process. It takes a lot of banging so a repair does not seem a possiblity... just my two cents, Great dig !

 

[republicfireguy]

I'm not looking to repair it, just a general wonder why that side would have been pounded flat. If it happened during the forging process that would indicate it was forged near where I found it, which indicates I probably found the mining camp I've been looking for.

 

[releventchair]

Not an authority on forging but at right temp piece would have been joined where its gapped. (Forge welding).Some times a piece of steel was inserted into fold for a better bit. Yours looks rude and crude,i like it. Strength of design my guess for why folded the way it was. Sure could be from site your after,ideal set up would have resulted in better quality. Thanks for sharing pics,first i,ve seen like it.

 

[kuger]

Not an uncommon find in the gold fields.I have box's of contorted ax heads,that were used as crevice busters.These guys were far away from "town",and often had to improvise,be it a crude forge,or poor forge weld to begin with.I wouldnt bet the "location",on one find

 

[Valley Ranger]

Not an uncommon find in the gold fields.I have box's of contorted ax heads,that were used as crevice busters.These guys were far away from "town",and often had to improvise,be it a crude forge,or poor forge weld to begin with.I wouldnt bet the "location",on one find

My first thought was that it was shaped that way purposely for a specialized use. "Crevice busting" sounds like that might be the case here.

 

[republicfireguy]

Thanks for the info. I found a couple other things that hint at the spot being the location, though I've got another likely location I'm going to check once I can get the landowners nephew to go with me, the stipulation he made to me poking around on his land. The nephew's a friend of mine, so not a big deal. Thanks again for the info!