Not a bad find on a 22 degree day in Rhode Island!

[FreeBirdTim]

Went metal detecting in the woods for about an hour today. It was 22 degrees out, but it was nice and sunny. Only find was this vintage hatchet head with it's sheath. I found it about five inches down (first inch was frozen solid). Not a bad day at all...

 

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[Kodiak43351]

Great to get out isn't it. When I get healed up I'm going out in the cold snow or no snow lol. Good luck

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nice axe heads! So did the first one come in handy to get the other two out of the ground?

I'm going out this weekend can't wait! Was out 3 weeks ago when the top 3 in. Of ground was frozen, before the s-n-o-w happened.

Kodiak43351- speedy healing to you hope 2014 is a great year for you too!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Sorry, should have explained the photo! It's one axe head and the front and back of the leather sheath it was in. Came up under the jewelry setting on my Ace 250 because of the brass snaps on the sheath. Never would have found it otherwise, since the area has a lot of nails and rusty beer cans everywhere.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Kodiak43351,

Yes, it was a little rough on the fingers today, but anything is better than sitting indoors all winter.

 

[Kodiak43351]

Thanks guys I'm ready to get out. I had some heart procedures done but feeling a lot better than I did. Just got to let some incisions heal and I'll be ready. Should be good in a couple of weeks and then it's go time. Lol good luck everyone.

 

[wheatfinder13]

That's a pretty cool find. How old?

 

[jewelerguy]

no doubt it was buried long enough for the handle to rot away completely

 

[grasshopper]

Very cool find. Never seen anyone find one of the sheaths.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I'm thinking probably 1920's or 1930's. Tried to find a similar one on eBay, but there are way too many to look through. Can't find any markings on the head or the sheath, so that also makes it tough to ID.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

First time I've ever found any part of a leather sheath. I've found a lot of axe heads, but they never had any evidence of a sheath. Plus, all of them were damaged or pitted beyond help. This one looks pretty good and should clean up nice.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Kodiak43351,

I hope you're well and out metal detecting soon. You should be good as new in no time. I had two heart valves replaced in November 1967 when I was five years old. I'm still kicking 46 years later and healthy as a horse!

 

[Markomyt1]

Did you use a chainsaw to cut your plug?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Nah, just my trowel. It's a pretty tough tool. Once I make a small hole, I can usually pop up the frozen ground to expand the hole. And the ground is a lot softer in the woods because there's a layer of leaves covering the dirt. I think the leaves act as an insulator.

 

[Tnmountains]

I have an estwing hatchet in a sheath but I like yours better. Dug is always better that store bought!!

 

[Old Dude]

Nah, just my trowel. It's a pretty tough tool. Once I make a small hole, I can usually pop up the frozen ground to expand the hole. And the ground is a lot softer in the woods because there's a layer of leaves covering the dirt. I think the leaves act as an insulator.

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Congrats to you. I tried the woods yesterday after failure in a corn field, and after repeated stabbing motions at the frozen ground, I was able to chip away a small hole, but it felt like I was on the verge of bending my side digger! We had freezing rain just before a super cold stretch of frigid air turned even the woods' dirt to rock. Pretty neat to find the sheath for the hatchet. Thanks for the pics.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Tnmountains,

That's for sure! After finding at least five damaged axe heads, I finally found one I can clean up and possibly use. Just have to figure out the correct length handle to buy. I even have the original wedge that was used to hold the handle in place. Should make for a fun project this week.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

OldDude,

Yup, all the parks and baseball fields are frozen solid. The woods are the only areas that I can bang out a hole. Still tough on the hands, but I'll be trying it again today. Going to be about 30 degrees out, so that's not too bad.

 

[Old Dude]

Finding even the wedge with your hatchet adds to the importance of electrolysis and eventual use of the axe. It's begging to be used again. Looking forward to finished pics of it!


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[FreeBirdTim]

I did some work on it today. I got the worst of the rust off with a wire wheel attached to my drill. Then I soaked it in citric acid for three hours. Much better shape now. I may do another round of grinding and citric acid before I put a handle on it. We'll see.

Thanks for all the interest in this hatchet head. I thought I would be the only person to think this was a good find!