Help Identify

[randyinarkansas]

Help Identify

Can anyone help identify these relics. They were dug near Prarie Grove, Arkansas at an old homesite that dates back to the early 1800's. I was told the axe head could be of spanish origin.

 

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[72cheyenne]

Re: Help Identify

You have some nice finds there.I really like the axe head. Any size comparisons for the top two items, and maybe a back shot of the second?

 

[randyinarkansas]

Re: Help Identify

the top piece is approx 3 in long, looks kinda like it would be a broach, but it is two piece and hooks in the middle. The back of the second piece looks the same as the front and it is also a 2 piece that hooks in the middle, it is approx 3 in wide

 

[72cheyenne]

Re: Help Identify

I think the first pic may be a cloak clasp and the second is a two piece sash buckle. The may both be sash buckles.

 

[72cheyenne]

Re: Help Identify

BTW, from the shape of that axe head, it is definately early....maybe a throwing axe.

 

[DCMatt]

Re: Help Identify

I think the first pic may be a cloak clasp and the second is a two piece sash buckle. The may both be sash buckles.

Agree. Victorian era ladies dress or sash buckles.

DCMatt

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Help Identify

I think the first pic may be a cloak clasp and the second is a two piece sash buckle. The may both be sash buckles.

Agree. Victorian era ladies dress or sash buckles.

DCMatt

yeap, first two sash buckles, sometimes referred to as 'butterfly' buckles.

last one an axe

 

[mojjax]

Re: Help Identify

That axe head is a real beauty . It's got to be 1700's or earlier . I can't find any like it in my books .

 

[randyinarkansas]

Re: Help Identify

Would anybody have any clue as to a time period..the house place was 1800's but i was wondering if anybody could narrow that down.

The axe head was found at a homesite that dated back to 1820, but other than that i have no clue as to it's design.

 

[pcolaboy]

Re: Help Identify

The broad blade on the axe makes me think it may have been more for weapon use rather than work use. I'll see what I can dig up from our Spanish exhibits here in Pensacola.

Pcolaboy

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Help Identify

Try searching Broad Axe hand forged. Is it flat on the other side? It appears to have some lettering on the face..

 

[pcolaboy]

Re: Help Identify

I'm pretty sure this is what's called a Half Broad Axe...I'm trying to get you some good links...standby

It looks like "half broad axe" is not the common name for what I'm looking for afterall. It would appear that most timber cutting axes with a broad blade like that were simply called broad axes. My bad.

Pcola

 

[72cheyenne]

Re: Help Identify

The closet I have found in searching is the Danish Axe. http://www.thesteelsource.com/html/xh2099.htm Similar in blade shape as Randy's example, but not nearly as "beefy" as Randy's.


There are lots of close examples on this site. http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/viking_axe.htm

Randy, could you get some more pics of that axe head showing the butt end of it and the handle hole?

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Help Identify

Dang pcolaboy,you are never this slow :P

 

[pcolaboy]

Re: Help Identify

Dang pcolaboy,you are never this slow :P

I was born SLOW

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Help Identify

Its old

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Help Identify

Your hatchet, (given the smallish size and attempt at a popular shape), looks like what should be a "broad" hatchet as suggested by PcolaBoy.

I also agree it looks hand wrought/forged by an amature - homemade, like BigCy said.

I would date it to an era, most likely the era of the home you were searching.  There were dozens of professional hatchet/axe companies manufacturers and who knows how many blacksmiths in shops making these for folks. If you think it may be of Spanish origin, maybe a check of the local records and history will tell you more.  I guess we would have to compare it to other known specimans to be sure, or have the metals tested for trace amounts of spanishness composition.  (That sounded so scientific ). 


Those buckles are fantanstic... we almost NEVER see both halves of the buckles dug together and you have TWO examples!

 

[Ramitt]

Re: Help Identify

looks similar to this.

Rare 18th Century Broad Axe Mayer

A rather light, 11” axe with it’s original handle and a good edge. 4 members of the Mayer clan: Jacob, Bear, Samuel and Lewis made axes in Lancaster county Pa. from1779-1823. Hung right handed but easily switched to left. An important artifact in the evolution of the American Broad Axe. #7716 $225

http://www.jimbodetools.com/axes,_adzes.htm

 

[randyinarkansas]

Re: Help Identify

Thanks everyone for the help....i will get some more pics of the axe head.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Re: Help Identify

Yes sometimes they have marks stamped in the iron....