Post your Trade Axe(s)

[romeo-1]

I just recently found my first trade axe and would love to see some more. There are so many different sizes and styles that we should be able to get a decent thread here. Let's see 'em!

 

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[Iron Patch]

Here's mine, and not a different style for ya, but there is a bonus belt plate!

 

[Lucas]

Some nice axes!

Here's mine. Not dug, it's from a farm auction. $10.

 

[Iron Patch]

Here's some of my trade axes from the Fur Trade Era (Nebraska).

IW Hunter

Quite a collection! Waxed?

 

[IndianWarsHunter]

Quite a collection! Waxed?

Thank you.

No, not waxed but I did apply a sealant to slow down the oxidation. The sealant can be readily removed.

I don't know about other parts of the country but from my own experiences and viewing other collections from my area I can say that the smaller trade axes are very hard to find.

 

[flintlock]

Here is a Trade Axe I found along with some nice Crotal bells.

 

[IndianWarsHunter]

Nice finds ...you've done really well finding that many Crotal bells.

 

[flintlock]

The interesting thing about the Crotal Bell in the front, has a base mark W:BEVINS E.H.C.T. Did a google search and suprisingly the company was still in business. The gentleman emailed me back and this is what he said...

You have discovered one of the earliest bells made by our company...It was most likely made between 1830-1840...Bevin Bros. was founded in 1832 by William Bevin (the one whose initials are on your bell)...He was my great, great, great grandfather's brother...He was eventually joined by 3 of his brothers...In the early years, he put his initials on the bells to differentiate them from others that were being made at that time by other bell makers...This practice stopped during the early years of working with his brothers...

You have discovered a nice treasure that is almost certainly over 170 years old...

Best regards,
Matt Bevin

This Bell made it's way from CT. to Kansas...wow!

 

[IndianWarsHunter]

Good research ...with that information it makes your find much more special!

IW Hunter

 

[romeo-1]

Here's mine, and not a different style for ya, but there is a bonus belt plate!

What about the axe you found on the "HOT Day Hunt" a couple years ago...wasn't that a trade axe?

 

[Iron Patch]

Here's mine, and not a different style for ya, but there is a bonus belt plate!

What about the axe you found on the "HOT Day Hunt" a couple years ago...wasn't that a trade axe?

Believe it's an early felling axe, so not sure if it's considered trade or not. I never really looked into it because the history it has is far better to me than a typical trade axe. You know as rough as that hunt was for me I still think of it as a good time and memory. I don't think I can think back to a hunt that was just bad through and through.

I've dug 5 early axes to date. 2 like my one above, this one, and two small ones.

 

[romeo-1]

Yep, every hunt is unique and the HOT Day hunt is no exception. Thanks God for bottled water.

That style axe is listed as a British trade axe so I would say it counts. Didn't you also find a round holed axe? A really big one?

 

[Iron Patch]

Yep, every hunt is unique and the HOT Day hunt is no exception. Thanks God for bottled water.

That style axe is listed as a British trade axe so I would say it counts. Didn't you also find a round holed axe? A really big one?

Nope, no really big axes found by me.

I've never had the heat bother me as much as that day, and the lack of food and sleep definitely contributed to the problem. I won't make that mistake again!

 

[romeo-1]

Keep 'em coming people...I know there are more out there!

 

[Lucas]

I wish I knew.

They show up at fur trade sites... where there was later agriculture.

Most of the trade lists that have bells say hawk bells, which are little (~1/2" or so).

I have a couple of the bell shaped ones.

 

[flintlock]

Here is a Trade Axe I found along with some nice Crotal bells.

Any idea how old the bell on the left is?

It's hard to tell...1830's-40's based on occupancy but could be earlier.

 

[relic reaper]

my best one from last year.

on a river bank in the great white north!!

 

[romeo-1]

Found another!

 

[NWMP]

Cool axe, she's a big honker.

 

[romeo-1]

Found yet another...