DIV XXI Find - Another Ax Head!

[Valley Ranger]

I seem to have a "gift" for finding ax heads. (See this previous post.) That continued during the recent dig at DIV XXI. I found this one on the last day, about 3 hours before the hunt ended. The same pattern/size is noted in Howard Crouch's excellent reference book on Civil War artifacts. According to Crouch, this particular pattern was Union issued. I found this one near some Pennsylvania camps, so that makes sense. What was unusual about this find is that I got the signal in a roadbed where literally scores of other detectorists had to pass right over. It did produce an overload signal on my T2 and it was only 2 inches down. Got her soaking in vinegar as I type. This should turn out to be a real beaut! I'm working on a video that I'll share once I'm done cleaning all the other relics I found.

 

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[Chris Canada]

Nice find for sure.
Do you guys remove the rust from the iron pieces you find?
I have used Naval jelly and "Evaporust" on my fragments and grapeshot as well as any other iron I have found.
Also used it on a trigger I found....before the rust totally killed it.

 

[VOL1266-X]

That ax chopped a lot of wood to keep many CW Soldiers warm and cook food there in 1863-64 Richard. I am eager to see how it turns out. HH, Quindy.

 

[lost hunter]

sweet

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice find for sure.
Do you guys remove the rust from the iron pieces you find?
I have used Naval jelly and "Evaporust" on my fragments and grapeshot as well as any other iron I have found.
Also used it on a trigger I found....before the rust totally killed it.

Hey Chris. Yes, absolutely. Watch the video in my link. I've used electrolysis but have started using apple cider vinegar instead. If rust is left on iron it will, eventually, destroy the piece.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Hey Quindy - thanks! Yes, I'm looking forward to the final outcome as well.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Thanks Jim.

 

[Mach1Pilot]

Awesome looking axe! I was trying to dig some bigger iron as well.... the only thing I found was a 2 foot long plow point!

I never thought of using vinegar to clean my finds, but have used white vinegar with great success to free stuck engines.... guess I'll have to give it a try this week.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Awesome looking axe! I was trying to dig some bigger iron as well.... the only thing I found was a 2 foot long plow point!

I never thought of using vinegar to clean my finds, but have used white vinegar with great success to free stuck engines.... guess I'll have to give it a try this week.

Thanks. The vinegar works well for me - very similar to electrolysis though sometimes its a bit slower start. But be patient and use a steel brush once every 24 hours and you'll see the rust flake right off. I had a large ax head soaking the whole time we were at DIV up until yesterday. It's been soaking for a total of about 2 weeks. When I pulled it out last night, there were big flakes of rust in the bottom of the container. The rust is completely gone. All it will need is just some light works with a steel brush before I put a handle on it and return it to service.

 

[fever87]

Awesome looking axe! I was trying to dig some bigger iron as well.... the only thing I found was a 2 foot long plow point!

I never thought of using vinegar to clean my finds, but have used white vinegar with great success to free stuck engines.... guess I'll have to give it a try this week.

I've used electrolysis with mixed results and I'm currently trying Evapo-rust but see that it will be quite expensive to do a whole lot with it. I've only recently heard about "firing" iron in hot coals and then dunking them in old motor oil but am hesitant to try it on anything good. I look forward to seeing your results with the vinegar.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Awesome looking axe! I was trying to dig some bigger iron as well.... the only thing I found was a 2 foot long plow point!

I never thought of using vinegar to clean my finds, but have used white vinegar with great success to free stuck engines.... guess I'll have to give it a try this week.

I've used electrolysis with mixed results and I'm currently trying Evapo-rust but see that it will be quite expensive to do a whole lot with it. I've only recently heard about "firing" iron in hot coals and then dunking them in old motor oil but am hesitant to try it on anything good. I look forward to seeing your results with the vinegar.

Yes, I've used Evapo-Rust as well. I don't think it works as well as the apple cider vinegar on iron and, like you say, its a whole lot more expensive. If you'll watch the video linked to in my first comment on this post, you'll see how well the vinegar works on two axes I've already done.

 

[hamiddetecting]

 

[Steve in PA]

Stonewall,
Is that a small camp axe, maybe four inches long? I found one at one of the Brandy Rock DIV's and saw a couple others dug there.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Stonewall,
Is that a small camp axe, maybe four inches long? I found one at one of the Brandy Rock DIV's and saw a couple others dug there.

It may be a bit longer than 4 inches, but not much. I do believe it is a camp ax. As noted, Crouch has the same pattern in his book and this one was found in the vicinity of a PA encampment. Thanks for looking!

 

[oldsalty19]

cool ax head and a great old sentiment to go along with it.....

 

[Valley Ranger]

cool ax head and a great old sentiment to go along with it.....

Thanks Old Salty! Yes, I love Eric Sloane's writings.

 

[matt092079]

Hey stonewall, I found an axe head on the last day of the DIV XX hunt. I'll post a picture in here tomorrow of it and see if you can tell me if it's period to the civil war. I found it in an area where I was finding some 69 caliburs and some bits of a harmonica reed.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Hey stonewall, I found an axe head on the last day of the DIV XX hunt. I'll post a picture in here tomorrow of it and see if you can tell me if it's period to the civil war. I found it in an area where I was finding some 69 caliburs and some bits of a harmonica reed.

I'd love to see it! I'm no expert though I'll be glad to take a peek and share my opinion.

 

[Steve in PA]

Stonewall,
Is that a small camp axe, maybe four inches long? I found one at one of the Brandy Rock DIV's and saw a couple others dug there.

It may be a bit longer than 4 inches, but not much. I do believe it is a camp ax. As noted, Crouch has the same pattern in his book and this one was found in the vicinity of a PA encampment. Thanks for looking!

Measured mine last night - 4 3/4 inches long.

 

[Marinehunter]

Nice find, I have to try the vinegar.