Is this a belt Axe???

[comfyinvermont]

Does anyone know if this is a type of belt axe or is it some other type of tool.? I found it last night in an area of a war of 1812 encampment.? It is also on a farm that has been around since 1845.? It is definately hand forged.? I would appreciate any information...Thanks...Lance

[comfyinvermont]

Thank you Buckram. A little more research does indicate a Hammer poll belt axe or hatchet. There is also a question of a French Carpenters Hatchet. Any way, it is a nice find. Thank you for the help....Lance There is a similar one at
http://members.tripod.com/tomahawks-...a/f41db770.jpg

[Tim Smith]

Hello ,
I would say the best way to figure out if it dates to the war of 1812 camp, or the farm is to see if the dark looking spot on the top edge of the blade is really a nail pulling notch full of dirt or not. If not, it is probably from the 1812 camp,, if so, first off it is upside down as these notches were hafted with the notch down and probably comes from the farm as nail notches are for the most part a post 1850ish invention. It it probably not a French axe either way as they typically have a different configuration altogether. By the way the link to other picture showing several hammer poll axes are some of mine ...

Tim@TATCA