Found old ax need help with ID and cleaning??

[debbiemi]

I found this old axe in Upper Michigan around an old mining camp. Any info would be appreciated- Date? Manufacturer? Value? And should I clean it and what would I use. Thanks
Deb

 

[diggummup]

As far as cleaning goes, one word- electrolysis.http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,176330.0.html and http://www.ighunters.net/metal/electrolysis/equip.htm Here are some Michigan axes from a 1937 catalog, looks like it could be one of these -

 

[debbiemi]

Thanks diggummup. I'll try the electrolysis. I appreciate it. It does look like the ones in the picture.
Deb

 

[traderoftreasures]

welcome to the t'net

 

[johnnyi]

Hi debbie. If I could give another take on this one; I personally think this head is a wee bit older. The top sheer is straight. There's very little sheer to the bottom either. It is "short and fat". Considering it's length, had it been an axe from the 20's or 30's it would have taken a considerable length of time to be sharpened and re-sharpened to become this size. Yet is is very deteriorated which suggests it was in the ground many years also. As well, the eye itself seems a little too rounded for something later than the 19th century, and there may even be a trace of forging joinery on the tip of the eye nearest the blade. As diggumup said, electolysis will tell you a lot, and when that is complete the key to dating this might be to look carefully at the eye.

 

[X-Splenda]

i actually found a few of those... but i i through them out.
maybe i will keep it next time.
im more intrested with coins!!! and buttons