Old ax head

[ohdigger]

First one ever found in my 5 years of metal detecting any guesses how old it might be
Thahks for looking Jeff

 

[Valley Ranger]

Hey Jeff. Nice one. That's what's known as a "Rockaway" pattern. My guess would be early 1900's. Could be a bit older or a bit newer, but I'm no expert. Soak it in apple cider vinegar and get all the rust off and you could put it back into service or display it. Funny how some folks don't find many of these things and others are "magnets" for them. I've found 3 just in the last month - all on the same farm and 2 on the same day!I also found one last year. That one was pre-Revolutionary.

 

[kuger]

We dug a ton of axe's and I am no expert,but I think that one is older that 1900's?I am thinking pre 1850's?

 

[highnam]

Do you think the triangle in the center of the second picture is a maker's mark?

 

[SkyPirate]

Nice! I love finding these.

 

[ohdigger]

Do you think the triangle in the center of the second picture is a maker's mark?

I dont really know, thought maybe a pit from rust .but looking at it better it looks like a perfect triangle

 

[Valley Ranger]

We dug a ton of axe's and I am no expert,but I think that one is older that 1900's?I am thinking pre 1850's?

Could be, though I know that pattern was popular in the early 1900's.

 

[kuger]

We dug a ton of axe's and I am no expert,but I think that one is older that 1900's?I am thinking pre 1850's?

Could be, though I know that pattern was popular in the early 1900's.

I dunno,by that time most were cast,this one appears to be forged?

looks like the Phila.Jersey on that chart that has been posted?

also,although not exact here a few C.W. Period?
http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html

 

[Valley Ranger]

We dug a ton of axe's and I am no expert,but I think that one is older that 1900's?I am thinking pre 1850's?

Could be, though I know that pattern was popular in the early 1900's.

I dunno,by that time most were cast,this one appears to be forged?

looks like the Phila.Jersey on that chart that has been posted?

also,although not exact here a few C.W. Period?
http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html

I'm a bit ignorant on this. How can one tell if its forged? I've seen "seams" in some I've dug . . . is that an indicator? What else?

 

[Valley Ranger]

We dug a ton of axe's and I am no expert,but I think that one is older that 1900's?I am thinking pre 1850's?

Could be, though I know that pattern was popular in the early 1900's.

I dunno,by that time most were cast,this one appears to be forged?

looks like the Phila.Jersey on that chart that has been posted?

also,although not exact here a few C.W. Period?
http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html

Good link by the way - thanks Kuger.

 

[lost hunter]

good old find

 

[kuger]

We dug a ton of axe's and I am no expert,but I think that one is older that 1900's?I am thinking pre 1850's?

Could be, though I know that pattern was popular in the early 1900's.

I dunno,by that time most were cast,this one appears to be forged?

looks like the Phila.Jersey on that chart that has been posted?

also,although not exact here a few C.W. Period?
http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html

Good link by the way - thanks Kuger.

I will have to take some pictures for ya.It will be easier to see.

 

[kuger]

I might have to eat my words Stonewall.............this one fits the era you noted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-axe-hea...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319bbd087

 

[kuger]

Do you think the triangle in the center of the second picture is a maker's mark?

I have not seen a tri angle mark but here is some info on "touch Marks",Symbols reported to have been used on Plumb axes sold in Australia. Another possibility is that the symbol represented a time frame or possibly a specific distributor. No complete clarification has yet to be determined. The Star and the Diamond have been observed on axes made by other companies.

 

[K Zack]

Here is another site that has alot of info on the Ax and Tomahawk.
http://furtradetomahawks.tripod.com/

Kevin

 

[Valley Ranger]

I might have to eat my words Stonewall.............this one fits the era you noted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-axe-hea...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319bbd087

Well, again, I'm no expert. I've seen similar ones dug as WBTS sites too. Not sure when that pattern first appeared. I've ordered a reference book since I seem to find a lot of these things.

 

[kuger]

I might have to eat my words Stonewall.............this one fits the era you noted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-axe-hea...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319bbd087

Well, again, I'm no expert. I've seen similar ones dug as WBTS sites too. Not sure when that pattern first appeared. I've ordered a reference book since I seem to find a lot of these things.

Let me know when you get that book!I have got to where I dont even bring ax heads out any more!!(I have a huge pile of em)

 

[Valley Ranger]

I might have to eat my words Stonewall.............this one fits the era you noted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-axe-hea...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319bbd087

Well, again, I'm no expert. I've seen similar ones dug as WBTS sites too. Not sure when that pattern first appeared. I've ordered a reference book since I seem to find a lot of these things.

Let me know when you get that book!I have got to where I dont even bring ax heads out any more!!(I have a huge pile of em)

A good ax sells for north of $50. Sounds like you might have enough potential there for a new detector. A handle and a quart of vinegar can be had for less that 10 bucks. Put 'em back into service, line 'em up at a yard sale for $30 bucks each and sell them as "antique" axes and you'll make a killing!

 

[kuger]

I might have to eat my words Stonewall.............this one fits the era you noted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/old-axe-hea...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2319bbd087

Well, again, I'm no expert. I've seen similar ones dug as WBTS sites too. Not sure when that pattern first appeared. I've ordered a reference book since I seem to find a lot of these things.

Let me know when you get that book!I have got to where I dont even bring ax heads out any more!!(I have a huge pile of em)

A good ax sells for north of $50. Sounds like you might have enough potential there for a new detector. A handle and a quart of vinegar can be had for less that 10 bucks. Put 'em back into service, line 'em up at a yard sale for $30 bucks each and sell them as "antique" axes and you'll make a killing!

Thats a good idea.I have done that with picks(I have more picks than ax's)and have a couple of each that I do use,but getting good handles anymore is tough to do!!

 

[fever87]

Funny how some folks don't find many of these things and others are "magnets" for them. I've found 3 just in the last month - all on the same farm and 2 on the same day!

Funny that you say that as I now have 4 and I've only been hunting since December. I only wish I were a magnet for box plates!