possible trade axe, riflemans hachet revolutionary war?

[gijoeh]

Found Within A Couple Miles of Documented Indian Villages In The Schoharie Valley Of NY On A Farm Sight predating The Revolution. Appreciate Any Input!

 

[TomPA]

Looks to be more of a wood working style head rather than a belt axe or rifleman's piece, but I'm no expert on these.

 

[DCMatt]

Too long IMO to be a belt axe. I'm thinking specialty axe for cutting ice or something that requires the longer blade.

DCMatt

 

[gijoeh]

Ok. thanks For the input. No visible makers mark, and it certainly is an odd proportion for anything i can think of. trappers hatchet may be another option?

 

[kuger]

I recently seen an exact example on a website(I am looking for it)that stated it was an "Early",shingle hatchet

 

[taz42o]

That is a felling axe, used to make the back cut without losing alot of wood. Im not sure if any of those were made in the U.S.
I have seen English and French examples.
You can see a couple here that were found at Jamestown. Halfway down page.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of New Discoveries at Jamestown by John L. Cotter and J. Paul Hudson

 

[kuger]

Here is one similar ,they are calling an Ice Axe
Antique Forged Iron Signed Axe Head Tool Gifford Wood Co Ice Axe | eBay

 

[mical66]

nice find Taz,, wish they gave more information on each item,, but the hatchet is just like the one there .

 

[kuger]

That is a felling axe, used to make the back cut without losing alot of wood. Im not sure if any of those were made in the U.S.
I have seen English and French examples.
You can see a couple here that were found at Jamestown. Halfway down page.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of New Discoveries at Jamestown by John L. Cotter and J. Paul Hudson

Great link Taz,thanks!

 

[mical66]

other then felling axe/hatchet the only thing i can find that is close is called a Mortise hatchet , used to clean out mortises in old post n beam structures . but the edges are square not rounded.

 

[mical66]

i posted about this on a hatchet / axe forums and 99% of them said ice axe, one even said he still finds them because NY was big in ice industry before freezers were made .
wish i could date it for you , but that is the only info i got so far .

 

[kuger]

It has the "look",of a pre - 1900,and I would venture possibly 50-60 years earlier than that,but just a guess

 

[mical66]

here is a nice site for trade axes and tomahawks that a poster gave me from the other site.

FUR TRADE AXES & TOMAHAWKS