The Axe Head Showroom

[BuckleBoy]

Hello All,

I am starting this post as a showroom for axe heads, whether electrolysis cleaned, or still rusty crusty. Post 'em here.

There is a large variety in these tools over geography and time, and it will be cool to see everything from trade axes and weapons all the way through more modern tools.


Cheers,


Buckles

 

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[{Sentinel}]

Here's a nice one I dug up from a colonial site near Williamsburg, VA.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Nice lathing hatchet, Sentinel! WIDE time span on those! I just dug a strangely proportioned one with a wide, fannned-out blade here in a colonial site in Louisiana.

 

[ohdigger]

First one i have Found in 5 years of metal detecting Dont know how old it is

 

[BuckleBoy]

ohdigger,

Great Axe! I had seen a diagram that listed many different styles of axe head, including yours. I am sure that someone will post it here, or that I'll locate it eventually. Someone will be here that will know more. It will be good to have an online encyclopedia of styles and shapes of axe on this thread.

Best Wishes,

Buckles

 

[Valley Ranger]

Here's a nice one I dug up from a colonial site near Williamsburg, VA.

Now there's a beauty!

 

[Valley Ranger]

ohdigger,

Great Axe! I had seen a diagram that listed many different styles of axe head, including yours. I am sure that someone will post it here, or that I'll locate it eventually. Someone will be here that will know more. It will be good to have an online encyclopedia of styles and shapes of axe on this thread.

Best Wishes,

Buckles

That's a "Rockaway" pattern. Just like the one I just reclaimed for service.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Here's one I dug on a farm here in the Shenandoah Valley a couple of weeks ago. Soaked it in apple cider vinegar and used a wire brush and Dremel on it. I think this one is known as a "Swamping" pattern. Gotta handle on it now and hanging in my office. My wife thinks its tacky. Also, here's a good reference book on American ax heads:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Axes-Survey-Development-Makers/dp/1883294126/?tag=treasurenet01-20

 

[Valley Ranger]

Mike at Woodland Detectors shared this in a previous post:

 

[shanegalang]

Someone is cleaning mine up for me :P lol Great idea Buck

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Besides the diagram that Old Stonewall added, this 1929 chart is all I have. It may be the same. I may be able to photograph some pages from my book.

I think the 2nd pic is from mojjaxs book.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Shingling hatchets

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here are some not to good pictures of Broad Axes but they show the shapes.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Besides the diagram that Old Stonewall added, this 1929 chart is all I have. It may be the same. I may be able to photograph some pages from my book.

I think the 2nd pic is from mojjaxs book.

That 2nd pic is from Eric Sloane's book, "A Museum of Early American Tools". It's a great book, as are all of Sloane's books.

 

[lumbercamp]

If I brought home every double bit axe head I have found, it would well be over 200. In the last 4 trips out I found 24 and left them all in the woods. Double bit axe heads and logging chains are the most common tools I find in the woods here. Starting with broad axe heads whic average 12" across the blade.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Lumbercamp,

Those are stunning! The variety in your collection alone is astounding!

I will toss some photos of mine up on this thread soon. I have one that Shane dug, which I will photo and post, and one that I dug (uncleaned as of yet). Both are styles that I have never seen before.

Best Wishes,


Buckles

 

[lumbercamp]

This is the reason I dig only iron, not coins. A couple years ago on Tnet, someone questioned me 2 times as why I only dig rusty iron and if I was going to sell them for scrap. Some people just don't understand.

 

[zaxfire69]

Here is one I dug in Vicksburg on a nice old lady's land. Was found on top of a ridge. Don't know how old, but it is cool looking.

 

[BuckleBoy]

This is the reason I dig only iron, not coins. A couple years ago on Tnet, someone questioned me 2 times as why I only dig rusty iron and if I was going to sell them for scrap. Some people just don't understand.

Yes, there are some GREAT iron finds to dig out there. Anyone that passed up the shell fragments I dug at my CW spot this winter was missing out. Tools are great finds, and now that I am in a different area, I am marveling at how different the tool styles are from anywhere else I ever lived.

You know that I am one that appreciates old iron. Over the years I kept buggy steps, crosscut saws, hatchets, axes, wedges, woodworking tools, hammers, wrenches, stirrups, and basically any hand-forged iron piece that I thought was cool. Some folks will never understand. But those who dig iron will...and they will also know what good targets--ferrous and non-ferrous!--others have missed.

 

[{Sentinel}]

This is the reason I dig only iron, not coins. A couple years ago on Tnet, someone questioned me 2 times as why I only dig rusty iron and if I was going to sell them for scrap. Some people just don't understand.

Yes, there are some GREAT iron finds to dig out there. Anyone that passed up the shell fragments I dug at my CW spot this winter was missing out. Tools are great finds, and now that I am in a different area, I am marveling at how different the tool styles are from anywhere else I ever lived.

You know that I am one that appreciates old iron. Over the years I kept buggy steps, crosscut saws, hatchets, axes, wedges, woodworking tools, hammers, wrenches, stirrups, and basically any hand-forged iron piece that I thought was cool. Some folks will never understand. But those who dig iron will...and they will also know what good targets--ferrous and non-ferrous!--others have missed.

Indeed, I too Buck. I've found an exceptional amount of artillery fragments from camps and battle sites that others have passed up while looking for buttons and bullets. In addition, I rather enjoy finding old camp stoves and the heavy iron doors to wood burning stoves that are often found at old sites in the woods. I've restored several of these and there's a plethora of different designs and makers, some of which are magnificent for displaying!