Hand forged hatchet at Goodwill. How old?

[FriscoT06]

I found this hatchet at Goodwill today for $1.91. It appears hand forged and folded, and with a replacement handle, and resharpened at some point, tho it is very dull now. I love it. But I was wondering how old it is. I can't tell if it is old, new, restored with electrolysis, or if I'm just imagining things outta the hammer marks. Also, are hatchets or axes made this way much anymore? Thanks guys!

 

[FriscoT06]

Just to cover all the bases-

 

[jewelerguy]

interesting to say the least. might be the one George Washington used to chop down the cherry tree

 

[FriscoT06]

Awesome. I will ebay it with that provenance now. So happy I can now retire. Lol.

 

[Steve in PA]

Looks to me like it was recently made by an amateur blacksmith.

 

[GA_Boy]

Looks to me like it was recently made by an amateur blacksmith.

That was my first thought.
Marvin

 

[ARC]

Looks to me like it was recently made by an amateur blacksmith.

Agreed.

 

[Old Dude]

It's worth $1.91 if you do nothing more than throw it in the truck for an emergency

 

[pepperj]

For $2 it's a cool purchase regardless of it's origin.

 

[Plumbata]

Agreed, recent amateur job. The imperfect forge welding and apparent lack of a proper steel edge insert likely wouldn't pass muster back in the day.