1700s belt axe or hatchet

[lenmac65]

I dug this axe head about a week ago by a pre-1850 cellar hole and posted it on the “what is it” forum. I got some good feedback that confirms my thinking that this is possibly a 1700s belt axe or hatchet/tomahawk. It is about six inches long, has no back edge poll to speak of, and appears to have a seam, perhaps formed when the iron was folded over in the forging process. I also see a small vertical indentation, which I think might be the remains of a blacksmith maker’s mark, similar to the one in the non-dug photo of a 1700s trade axe. The axe shape looks very similar to this Kentucky Style axe I found posted online, which also claims to be 1700s. I have not dug many other items to help date it, though I did find (and post) a 1700s coin spill about 100 feet from this hole back in January (two Fugios, 1754 2-reale, and a 1797 LC). I am pretty excited about this axe, and will hang it in my shed with some other axes, horseshoes, and locks. If anyone on this forum has any thoughts about the age or axe type, I’d love to hear them. Thanks and happy hunting.

 

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[lenmac65]

Very good find and a great candidate for conservation. I might add to others advice on electrolysis......make sure that your positive alligator clip(annode) be completely out of the electrolyte solution so as not to be compromised. Soaking the axe in distilled water for several weeks after will also add to the longevity of the restoration....but that part takes much patientce and waiting.

Thanks for the tips. I am going to try keeping both clips out of the water if possible.

 

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[callmez]

Thanks for the tips. I am going to try keeping both clips out of the water if possible.

I have coated with paraffin and candle wax before and those are good methods. If you get the piece hot, with a torch or maybe an oven would work, you can just rub a candle on an object and it will melt into it.

Specialized products are good too, in certain circumstances, but for something like this with deep rust I think wax is a good bet. Even car wax would be an option, I think.

Good luck! Share photos when you're done!

 

[lenmac65]

I have coated with paraffin and candle wax before and those are good methods. If you get the piece hot, with a torch or maybe an oven would work, you can just rub a candle on an object and it will melt into it.

Specialized products are good too, in certain circumstances, but for something like this with deep rust I think wax is a good bet. Even car wax would be an option, I think.

Good luck! Share photos when you're done!

Thanks for the feedback and tips. I am leaning towards the wax as a sealer. I constructed a simple electrolysis tank, and am just waiting for the charger I ordered. I hope to work on this project in the next couple weeks and post an update. My cleaning and restoration skills are pretty weak, but I have gotten some good advice here, so hopefully it goes well. Thanks again!