The tiniest Fur Trade axe I have ever seen.

Aureus

Silver Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
4,222
Reaction score
8,365
Golden Thread
4
Location
Eastern Canada
🥇 Banner finds
4
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
2
Detector(s) used
XP DEUS 2
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Went to check an area where I previously have found some 17 century Native American artefacts. Found this unusual little thing that I at first have mistaken for a rusted chunk of iron. Thankfully recognized the familiar shape. I believe it's a Fur Trade period belt axe. Pretty happy with this find and really glad I have kept it, hopefully it will clean up well.

Thanks for the comments.

Note:One thing I forgot to mention in my original post is the fact that there was a square nail driven into the handle where it connects to the axe head(on top of it). The nail was still in it's place when I found it. I have never seen anything similar but I presume that the nail was to prevent the handle from breaking on impact considering how small and thin was the wooden part. The axe head is less than 4'' long.

DSC_1470.webp

DSC_1467.webp

DSC_1469.webp

Here's a comparison to my previous Trade Axe.

DSC_1471.webp
 

Last edited:
Upvote 36
Thank you. Always glad when I manage to fund an unusual artifacts. Never seen this particular type of axe like the one you've found, sure looks very old.

That's what so great about digging, one never knows whats going be next, or how old. I dug mine on an island off of Gananoque Ont. Best of luck on the return hunt Aureus.:occasion14:
 

Pretty sure it was for mosquitoes, which were even bigger up there back then. 🤓

Seriously though, a great find Anton!! Another one of those objects that I wish could speak...

You're on your way to an incredible display set. Cheers
 

Definitely need to go home to Vermont, Cali just isn't for me and I've only lived here 3 weeks. All these finds are making me sure this isn't the right place for me :laughing7:

I totally understand. Vermont has such a long and rich history.
 

Incredible find! I found an axe head (hatchet probably) that small, but it was probably from the mid to late 1800's. Anything fur trader is cool!

Thank you.
Yes,it is. My favorite period for the finds.
 

BTW... I do believe YOUR head ... axe head that is... is on that site.

View attachment 1464998

I haven't seen anything that looks similar. Mine has a bit off a different shape. Of course, cleaning it might help ID it a bit better.One thing I forgot to mention in my post is the fact that there was a square nail driven into the handle where it connects to the axe head(on top of it). The nail was still in it's place when I found it. I never seen anything similar but I presume that the nail was to prevent the handle from breaking on impact considering how small and thin was the wooden part. The axe head is less than 4'' long.
 

Last edited:
That's what so great about digging, one never knows whats going be next, or how old. I dug mine on an island off of Gananoque Ont. Best of luck on the return hunt Aureus.:occasion14:

Thank you! Same to you. :icon_thumright:
 

Pretty sure it was for mosquitoes, which were even bigger up there back then. 🤓

Seriously though, a great find Anton!! Another one of those objects that I wish could speak...

You're on your way to an incredible display set. Cheers

Thank you Ken. :icon_thumright:
 

That thing is killer buddy. I found a nice little trade axe when I first started and unfortunately screwed it up. Valuable lesson learned. Please post pics after your preserve it
 

That thing is killer buddy. I found a nice little trade axe when I first started and unfortunately screwed it up. Valuable lesson learned. Please post pics after your preserve it

Thanks man. They are indeed fragile,not sure it will restore well.
 

Neat axe! The nail was likely driven in there as a wedge to keep the handle in place.
I see that often, even on more modern axes & hammers in Sweden.
 

Neat axe! The nail was likely driven in there as a wedge to keep the handle in place.
I see that often, even on more modern axes & hammers in Sweden.

Thank you. Yes, that's what I understood as well.
 

That's a beauty...a bonafide skull cracker!
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Discussions

Back
Top Bottom