Axe head age?

[silversnacher]

I found this in a Michigan woods, it appears to have some of the wood still in it. Any guesses as to age?

 

[kuger]

Looks like the many I dig from mid 19th century sites all way up to the beginning of the 20th cent.Handforging although was not as common later on,still did go on somewhat.I would say it was probably made middle 19th cent. and probably used to who knows.I have put new handles on many of mine and use them to this day,great steel they used back then!!

 

[silversnacher]

Looks like the many I dig from mid 19th century sites all way up to the beginning of the 20th cent.Handforging although was not as common later on,still did go on somewhat.I would say it was probably made middle 19th cent. and probably used to who knows.I have put new handles on many of mine and use them to this day,great steel they used back then!!

Wow I hope it's that old, how do you tell if its hand forged? Thanks

 

[Paleopilot]

Age is hard to tell, here are some shapes you can compare with, "Norwegian" is very close.

 

[kuger]

Wow I hope it's that old, how do you tell if its hand forged? Thanks

I guess I should have worded that totally different....sorry...It has the same SHAPE as the hand forged specimens I have seen from mid 19 th Cent sites.The easiest way I can tell you without holding it in my hands is to look down at it from the top,if it is handforged,they were made with two pieces them hammer welded together so along the ends of the eye you should see evidence of this?
This is one of my favorite sites
http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html

 

[kuger]

You will note in the examples in the link they dont have the points I advised to watch for....as said its tough to call...

 

[Paleopilot]

I guess I should have worded that totally different....sorry...It has the same SHAPE as the hand forged specimens I have seen from mid 19 th Cent sites.The easiest way I can tell you without holding it in my hands is to look down at it from the top,if it is handforged,they were made with two pieces them hammer welded together so along the ends of the eye you should see evidence of this?
This is one of my favorite sites
The Liberty Rifles

Or sometimes the blacksmith would hammer the wrought iron around an "eye" post, forming the head from a single slab, then bring it together at the pointed end. Then they would sharpen and temper the steel. They were very good axes! The rust can be hammered off easily if it is wrought iron.

 

[kuger]

Good point Paleo,a friend recently dug one of those "eye posts",we both scratched our heads till it struck me,and we fitted it to a pick I had just dug

 

[silversnacher]

I guess I should have worded that totally different....sorry...It has the same SHAPE as the hand forged specimens I have seen from mid 19 th Cent sites.The easiest way I can tell you without holding it in my hands is to look down at it from the top,if it is handforged,they were made with two pieces them hammer welded together so along the ends of the eye you should see evidence of this?
This is one of my favorite sites
http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html

I can't tell if it was two pieces or not, do you know about what date they stopped hand forging them? Thanks

 

[Paleopilot]

I can't tell if it was two pieces or not, do you know about what date they stopped hand forging them? Thanks

I don't think you could actually say a given date because they were still being hand made long after they could be purchased from Wards or Sears & Roebucks. Many farmers made their own tools into the 40s and 50s. Some are still made today.

 

[silversnacher]

Interesting, thanks for all the info guys! I want to figure out how to electrolysis it but I need a safe power source first.

 

[Paleopilot]

Looks like the many I dig from mid 19th century sites all way up to the beginning of the 20th cent.Handforging although was not as common later on,still did go on somewhat.I would say it was probably made middle 19th cent. and probably used to who knows.I have put new handles on many of mine and use them to this day,great steel they used back then!!

Hello Kuger, Yes they were very good axes! I also still use them. If it was'nt so cold right now I would get some pics of 'em and post some really old ones that I have collected over the years.

 

[Paleopilot]

Interesting, thanks for all the info guys! I want to figure out how to electrolysis it but I need a safe power source first.

Try gently tapping on it with the ball end of a ball-pien hammer, the rust will fall off. "usually".

 

[kuger]

Hello Kuger, Yes they were very good axes! I also still use them. If it was'nt so cold right now I would get some pics of 'em and post some really old ones that I have collected over the years.

Yea,I was "admiring",my pile that made it home....and my wife has been complaining about for some time...I quit bringing them home,but they are just so cool!!!!

 

[kuger]

Interesting, thanks for all the info guys! I want to figure out how to electrolysis it but I need a safe power source first.

Old Stonewall on here has an awesome thread where he is using AppleCider Vinegar and they are coming out awesome!!I personally take the wire brush to them...maybe a bit of both on yours?

 

[Paleopilot]

Old Stonewall on here has an awesome thread where he is using AppleCider Vinegar and they are coming out awesome!!I personally take the wire brush to them...maybe a bit of both on yours?

I like to knock off the big chunks, then put 'em in a home made tumbler that I made from a rubber "test Ball". It's was an inflatable cylinder that pipe welders use to test their welds on pipes for leaks. Just cut a 4" hole in one end and plug it with a 4" drain plug. I like to use water and the triangle ceramic media. Run it for about 8 hours, or longer if the media is worn down, rinse it off, dry it then apply some oil. "perfect"!