What Is The Age Of This Ax Head

[piggman1]

I found this old ax head in a creek bottom, and it was totally incrusted in rock except 1/2 the blade. I chipped off all the rock. I know it is old, but I wonder just how old it is. There is some kind of notch in the blade head. Does anyone know the age, or what it was used for?

 

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[savant365]

You might have to do a little electrolysis on it. I know some of the manufacturers used to stamp thier logos and names on them. It might be too far gone to read it though. I wouldn't go out and buy a book to ID one axe but maybe your local library will have a copy...here is a link to a review of the book.

http://www.tooltimer.com/bookrev.htm

HH Charlie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

check here

 

[piggman1]

Some of those are real close, but it is hard to tell.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Some of those are real close, but it is hard to tell.

I agree.

 

[Michaelangelo]

No idea of the age but the notch is for pulling nails (have one just like it at home)

 

[romeo-1]

This looks like an old one to me...trade axe. That is not a notch...it's just corrosion in the shape of a notch (it's only on one side of the axe).

This is a good find!

 

[AU24K]

This looks like an old one to me...trade axe. That is not a notch...it's just corrosion in the shape of a notch (it's only on one side of the axe).

This is a good find!

Was going to say the same thing....it appears that it may have even been a flaw in the metal and was removed by the rust.
Scott

 

[Noodle]

Rockaway

 

[TiredIron]

The notch is definately a nail pulling notch and not a fluke or imperfection. It only appears one sided due to most hammers being made for right handed people.....
Look at this current Ebay example of an old U.S. hammer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-US-hamm...66:2|39:1|72:1205|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

http://www.sensagent.com/ebay/search-item.jsp?dl=en&w=hatchet&sid=-1&iId=170348664435

TiredIron

 

[AU24K]

The notch is definately a nail pulling notch and not a fluke or imperfection. It only appears one sided due to most hammers being made for right handed people.....
Look at this current Ebay example of an old U.S. hammer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-US-hamm...66:2|39:1|72:1205|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

http://www.sensagent.com/ebay/search-item.jsp?dl=en&w=hatchet&sid=-1&iId=170348664435

TiredIron

After looking more closely at the original post, I concur. The deciding factor to me was the relatively straight top and the curved bottom. A straight top would facilitate an easier "pull".
Scott

 

[piggman1]

I have looked at the notch as described in the above post. I too think it was for pulling nails, but the notch does not even come close to going all the way through the blade as shown in the pics on ebay, and other ax heads I have looked at. It only goes about 1/4 of the way into the metal. I don't think it was corrosion that caused the notch, but it is not like most nail pullers I have seen.

 

[[email protected]]

My vote is for the axe to NOT be a nail puller and agree that is a big pit due to corrosion. I also agree that it resembles a trade axe. I have found a good dozen or so similar to yours. Although it is corroded like most iron, if you try cleaning, there might be a maker mark.
Nice find.
Dave.

 

[piggman1]

What would be a good way to clean it? The more I look at it, the more I think it wasn't used for pulling nails.

 

[romeo-1]

Definitely not a notch...it does not go all the way through the blade...it is just corrosion. I am aware of these nail pullers...I've found a dozen or more shingling hatchets with these pullers...this ain't one. It is shaped like an inverted tear drop holed trade axe. That would be my almost educated guess.

 

[Don in SJ]

Definitely not a notch...it does not go all the way through the blade...it is just corrosion. I am aware of these nail pullers...I've found a dozen or more shingling hatchets with these pullers...this ain't one. It is shaped like an inverted tear drop holed trade axe. That would be my almost educated guess.

I have a feeling it is a bit later than the trade axes, seems it is much thicker around the area where the handle goes thru than any trade axe photo I have seen and it does not match any of the styles that are in the one Rev War era book I have.

I hope it cleans up if the finder tries electroylsis, which there are several ways of how to on the Cleaning and Preservation forum.

Hopefully someone will come up with an exact match for it, I know I have not.

Don

 

[piggman1]

Pardon my ignorance, but what time frame are we looking at if it is a trade ax?

 

[Tnmountains]

Am not thinking its not,,, a trade axe. Here is a common known example of a trade axe I found.
The back thickness of the base of yours makes me think it was also used as a hammer of sorts. Maybe for log cabin building where you had to drive square nails or pegs.

 

[TiredIron]

Any progress in getting your "find" cleaned up...
TiredIron

 

[piggman1]

I haven't got it cleaned up as of yet. I still need to pick up a few things from the store. I will post a pic when I do.