Help with this axe

[Twig57]

Anyone have some info about this axe ? It was purchased at an antique auction(the owner added the handle). The US was obviously used to stamp or mark something. Thanks!

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

Cival war timer Axe , to build them forts ?

 

[unclemac]

cool as heck

 

[sutphin]

To stamp the railroad ties issued by the government during the civil war /zutphen

 

[Twig57]

A friend thinks it may have been used with ink for marking US Forest Service timber.

 

[BosnMate]

It's a log brand, still in use today. In Oregon you won't be able to sell a log to a mill if it isn't branded with a registered brand. The US brand would indicate that the logs belong to the government. The trees are cut down, cut into log lengths, yarded to the landing, then loaded onto the truck. When I've seen them use the brand, it was after the logs were loaded, but I suppose the chaser on the landing could also brand the logs before they are loaded. To use the brand, the log is whacked on the end several times, leaving the brand indented into the wood in several places.

 

[nathan104]

Branding axe

Here is one like it

RARE Vintage Plumb US BLM Branding Axe Hatchet Forestry Iron Unique | eBay

 

[Twig57]

Thank you all for info! Very helpful !

 

[BosnMate]

Blows my mind someone would pay $100 for that. Also, if that is vintage, then so am I. I was working in the mill until I was 65, that's 12 years ago, and they were being used then --- is that vintage? There are a lot less logs coming off federal land now, but that doesn't make them vintage, if the logs were off Federal Land they didn't get a US brand, they got the brand of the company that had bought and logged the timber. The only time a log would be branded US would be if the mill bought directly from BLM or Forest Service, perhaps cleaning up a camp ground or a road right of way.

 

[Twig57]

Great information BosnMate ! This item was brought into my friends business (metal detectors, treasure hunting supplies etc. ) while I was there, so I took pics and said this forum would get answers. As usual, not disappointed ! Thank you

 

[unclemac]

Blows my mind someone would pay $100 for that. Also, if that is vintage, then so am I. I was working in the mill until I was 65, that's 12 years ago, and they were being used then --- is that vintage? There are a lot less logs coming off federal land now, but that doesn't make them vintage, if the logs were off Federal Land they didn't get a US brand, they got the brand of the company that had bought and logged the timber. The only time a log would be branded US would be if the mill bought directly from BLM or Forest Service, perhaps cleaning up a camp ground or a road right of way.

yes Bosn....it is vintage...and so are YOU!!!! (oops me too)

 

[BosnMate]

yes Bosn....it is vintage...and so are YOU!!!! (oops me too)

I like that ---------- yup, vintage redneck --------- that's me.

 

[unclemac]

can rednecks BE sailors?

 

[Twig57]

I feel this has been solved but unable to post that. I'm on an i phone. Any ideas ?

 

[BosnMate]

can rednecks BE sailors?

Oh yes, lots of them, but with women serving on submarines now, not so many as there used to be.