Question for someone who knows their axe heads

[cti4sw]

I found this axe head at a site that dates to the early 1700s, although the most recent house was built in the mid-1800s.

I believe this to be a Rockaway type due to the rockers at the base, but the loop at the top has me mystified. Can anyone tell me what the loop might have been used for? Also looking for a type confirmation and an age range.

The head itself is roughly 4" x 5".





Thanks!


UPDATE 7/9/2014
So, I concur with anyone who disputed my idea that it's a Rockaway type. As more of the rust comes off with electrolysis, the lines are straighter and the curves disappear. Someone (outside of TNet) suggested a Philadelphia/Jersey style plus a strap loop for horseback carry. The curvature I thought I saw at the top has come away with the rust to reveal a straight line from the head to the blade, and the roundness of the rockers have become more pointed as the rust flakes away.

I will be brushing it up tomorrow, hopefully for the last time, stubborn rust I've found using a small hammer on a flathead screwdriver with a plastic handle as a chisel can remove larger chunks without damaging the original metal too much and it's allowed me to remove more of the rust than just the wire brush or ACV. Once it's brushed to my satisfaction I will post pictures.

UPDATE 7/10/2014
The pictures I promised:

Side profile


Top and blade


Hammer head end


Strap loop




Handle shaft

 

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[flyadive]

I'm no expert but we would require more photos.
I would say the loop was for hanging it on the wall, Probably from this century?

 

[bradyboy]

IM not seeing an ax head
Why do you think its an ax head
I agree, need better pics
I see two issues, the loop on the top that looks like it has graduated notches
and a bulbous extension on the bottom
also, looks more like a scraper due to where a handle would be mounted
Very interesting
Brady

 

[releventchair]

Look to Europe. Early bronze and later iron axe heads had loops there. Irish seem close. Perhaps the people that settled on the site brought one or had one forged to their familiar specifications.The lower "ears" are probably going to help age it towards latter of your dates.I,m guessing ,sorry, not an authority. The loop from what I read was for a strap. Horseback carry maybe was suggested. Another suggestion was it assisted in securing haft to head.(Maybe kept it from flying off if loose breaking ice on the well or to drop it down to ice level if water is below grade?) Neat find I have not noticed any looped heads before.https://www.google.com/search?q=loo...ZEIuTyATK4YHIAQ&ved=0CBwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=643

 

[cti4sw]

IM not seeing an ax head
Why do you think its an ax head
I agree, need better pics
I see two issues, the loop on the top that looks like it has graduated notches
and a bulbous extension on the bottom
also, looks more like a scraper due to where a handle would be mounted
Very interesting
Brady

It's definitely an axe head, I know enough about them to correctly recognize one when I find it. It may have been modified into something else by adding the loop, but it definitely started as an axe head. Sorry that you and the guy above you think better pics are needed, but I'm not sure why; it's rust-encrusted iron. The silhouette shape you see is what you get, and honestly is all I think is necessary for what I'm asking. It's currently in an electrolysis bath and I will post preservation progression pics when it's done. What may be perceived as "graduated notches" is most likely the effects of the electrolysis on the iron.

P.S. The "bulbous extension on the bottom" is what makes it a Rockaway design.

Look to Europe. Early bronze and later iron axe heads had loops there. Irish seem close. Perhaps the people that settled on the site brought one or had one forged to their familiar specifications.The lower "ears" are probably going to help age it towards latter of your dates.I,m guessing ,sorry, not an authority. The loop from what I read was for a strap. Horseback carry maybe was suggested. Another suggestion was it assisted in securing haft to head.(Maybe kept it from flying off if loose breaking ice on the well or to drop it down to ice level if water is below grade?) Neat find I have not noticed any looped heads before.https://www.google.com/search?q=loo...ZEIuTyATK4YHIAQ&ved=0CBwQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=643

Thanks - I did some Googling for "looped Rockaway axe" and saw similar modern heads that had leather loops on their holsters. A strap for horseback carrying is a possibility I didn't consider until I Googled them. What I don't fully understand now is how the handle was secured with the loop in the way; I can only conclude that instead of the wedge in the top, that it would have been secured with a cord or other leather straps. I've been trying to find a history of the Rockaway design but haven't had any success yet.

 

[flyadive]

I wanted to see the shape from the handles perspective,(cross section) old axes were hand forged, bent in half and hammered together, others have been made using power tools!
Did it have a handle?

 

[cti4sw]

I wanted to see the shape from the handles perspective,(cross section) old axes were hand forged, bent in half and hammered together, others have been made using power tools!
Did it have a handle?

Ah, I see. It did not have a handle, nor any handle fragments that I could discern during cleaning. With all the rust, I don't think the cross section would have been visible. I will update the original post when electrolysis is done with cross section pics.

 

[AU Seeker]

I'm not so sure if it's a Rockaway style pattern, if you look at the two charts the Rockaway pattern is more rounded than pointed, which the one you have seems to be more pointed than rounded.

I'm stumped as to the loop at the top of the ax head?

Here's a good website that has better examples of the ax patterns, and it shows the Rockaway to be rounded as well.
You may be able to contact the guy at this site, he maybe able to help you on what you have found.

Wood Trekker: Axe Head Patterns From the Past

 

[Indian Steve]

Does it have a hole through it for a handle? I have seen wedges used in felling trees with loops. If it doesn't have the hole for the handle, that would be my guess as to what it is.

 

[Limitool]

I TOTALLY ADMIT I know nothing about axe heads. My Grandkids dug this in the woods awhile back and I've always been curious about how old it might be. But the OP's here appears to be much older than mine probably. Not trying to hijack thread (PM with any info) we don't have to discuss here on his thread. Thanks, Brad

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I have no idea what type of axe head it is, but I did play around with the picture to make it clearer to view. Hope you don't mind that I did that! Might help to ID it.

 

[cti4sw]

Does it have a hole through it for a handle? I have seen wedges used in felling trees with loops. If it doesn't have the hole for the handle, that would be my guess as to what it is.

There is a handle hole. I'll be finishing the outside on Monday and will post more pics then.

 

[cti4sw]

I have no idea what type of axe head it is, but I did play around with the picture to make it clearer to view. Hope you don't mind that I did that! Might help to ID it.

Not at all.

 

[cti4sw]

Well, it's done in the electrolysis and I've gotten all the rust off that I can with the bench grinder's wire wheels. Time for the lacquer!