✅ SOLVED Help with an axe head

[smcdmc]

Any idea how to date this? The opening for the handle seems a little unique compared to most I have seen and the head flares a little like it was more of a splitting ax than for felling.

 

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[CSA2K]

No doubt.. I've found dozens of axe heads but never seen an opening like that. In case you haven't yet.. have fun in the..
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/my-collections/282841-axe-head-showroom.html

 

[CC Hunter]

The "unusual" opening in this particular axe head, where the handle would have passed through, is the result of use (or misuse as the case may be), rather than original manufacturing design. Bulging, or mushrooming of the thinner steel sides of an axe head, is the result of striking the back with heavy force. Most likely, this particular axe head was being used as a splitting wedge, and had been struck on back with a large sledge hammer, splitting maul, or similar tool. Quite possibly this was done after this axe handle had previously been broken, whereby the strike force was on the open hole in the axe head (broken axe heads were commonly used as wedges in the 19th century, to the point where many were completely battered to the point they became non-functionable.

CC Hunter

 

[smcdmc]

CC Hunter, I thought about that as an explanation, but the opening is perfectly symmetrical on both sides top and bottom. The back of it is nice and flat with squared edges. There is no deformation like I would expect to see from being struck over and over by a heavy object.

 

[alderan33]

I have an axe head that looks identical to the one you found. I found mine near a Fort in Wyoming. Let me know if you figure out what it is specifically.

 

[CC Hunter]

CC Hunter, I thought about that as an explanation, but the opening is perfectly symmetrical on both sides top and bottom. The back of it is nice and flat with squared edges. There is no deformation like I would expect to see from being struck over and over by a heavy object.

The symmetry of the bulge is quite close on your example, due to the fact that there was likely one very well centered strong blow to the back. A closer look, should show slight differences, as from my viewpoint on the photo the top bulge is a bit closer to the head. The thinnest and weakest portion of the steel on the sides will be the first areas to bulge out. Over the years of searching many areas across the country, where lumbering, mining, and railroad construction took place, many acquaintances as well as myself have had the opportunity to dig countless axeheads from the 19th century. In most cases, these recovered axe heads show various forms of mushrooming and bulging at the sides. Your example is by coincidence, more uniform in this deformity than usually seen, yet the factors are still the same.

CC Hunter

 

[stefen]

The symmetry of the bulge is quite close on your example, due to the fact that there was likely one very well centered strong blow to the back. A closer look, should show slight differences, as from my viewpoint on the photo the top bulge is a bit closer to the head. The thinnest and weakest portion of the steel on the sides will be the first areas to bulge out. Over the years of searching many areas across the country, where lumbering, mining, and railroad construction took place, many acquaintances as well as myself have had the opportunity to dig countless axeheads from the 19th century. In most cases, these recovered axe heads show various forms of mushrooming and bulging at the sides. Your example is by coincidence, more uniform in this deformity than usually seen, yet the factors are still the same.

CC Hunter

I agree with and support the premise that the ax head is deformed due to being used as a wedge...