Axe head ?

[BC1969]

Doing some detecting this morning at my place and I found what I believe is an axe head.
I'm not sure.
Its a strange shape.
My place here has some great history.
I didn't expect to find anything this cool.
I was hoping to find any nails in my driveway and that's where I found this item.
Its very heavy for its size.
Still sharp too.

 

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[erfranks]

Don't think it is an axe head, more like a Garden Hoe. Is more what i think.

 

[BC1969]

Could be.
Thanks.

 

[smallfoot]

Can you shoot a pic of it edge wise? My first thought was hoe also! Looking for thickness...and taper

 

[BC1969]

Sure.



There you go.

 

[BC1969]

Where that notch is at, its about a half inch, but not quite.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

The notch does look like a hatchet "nail" notch from a roofer's/shingling hatchet. Snapped in half-somehow(?)

 

[BC1969]

Judging by the old break at the one end, id bet that you are correct.
Thanks!

 

[Tony in SC]

I have one exactly like that In 1971. I found it where the battle of Muskgroves Mill took place 1780. I always thought was a very early trade axe because there were some Native Americans involved?

 

[smallfoot]

I'm thinking hatchet by the thickness and nail puller.

 

[BC1969]

The notch does look like a hatchet "nail" notch from a roofer's/shingling hatchet. Snapped in half-somehow(?)

The only difference I can find is in your picture, that slot is tapered.
On mine, there isn't any taper.
There was a railway camp right in the vicinity here somewhere... haven't nailed it down yet!

 

[Tony in SC]

I don't the slot is a nail puller? I think it is somehow part of the handle mounting? It had to be mounted in a split or hollowed out handle and the little split helped hold it in place? I've been trying to find mine.

 

[Tony in SC]

Found mine. It was in the last place I looked. It is made from very soft iron, maybe even maliable cast? The position of the notch on mine reaffirms my thoughts on handle mount.

 

[BC1969]

Found mine. It was in the last place I looked. It is made from very soft iron, maybe even maliable cast? The position of the notch on mine reaffirms my thoughts on handle mount.

That's exactly the same shape!
No taper in yours too.

So, any idea on the age of these roughly ?

Tony, thanks for posting your picture.

 

[Tony in SC]

I finally realized what we have. I saw a very old crude hatchet today and the blade looked like ours. I think that's what we have? A hatchet blade. The guy said he thought his was early to mid 1800's. Kinda odd finding the same thing so many tears apart!!

That's exactly the same shape!
No taper in yours too.

So, any idea on the age of these roughly ?

Tony, thanks for posting your picture.

 

[Georgivs]

Looks like the blade off of a shake hatchet to me. It would be used to split cedar "shakes" or shingles for roofing and siding. I found one that was complete and has a similar shaped blade. I think this style is over 100 yrs old.

 

[BC1969]

Looks like the blade off of a shake hatchet to me. It would be used to split cedar "shakes" or shingles for roofing and siding. I found one that was complete and has a similar shaped blade. I think this style is over 100 yrs old.

Now that's a thought!
That would make sense as to why there isn't a taper in that groove.

It was also found at the egde of a cedar swamp.

Thanks!