Two Blades Are Better Than One.

[Subterranean]

I did a short hunt on the slope below my house today. I know to dig the "bigger" iron signals with my AT Pro, as I usually get tools, horseshoes, stove parts, etc...

I found this double-edged axe head today at about six inches deep. It is in "very good" condition, unbroken, with no traces of wood remaining in the mounting hole, just dirt. I have not cleaned it yet but see no obvious maker's mark on the blade. Surprisingly, it has very little rust and two clean blade edges. Is there a way to date this axe head by its shape? It is 8 3/4" long and 4 1/2" wide. I found one half of a mid 1800's hatchet head (hex hammer on one side) about ten feet away from today's find. Must have been a lot of chopping going on long ago. Thanks for looking, Happy Hunting. Sub

 

[kuger]

From what I have read/researched the double axe was created in the latter part of the 19th Cent(I cant find the documentation I had on that).I know after digging over 200 ax heads from mid 1850's sites,I have never dug a double bit ax in a non mixed site

http://www.vannattabros.com/saw5.html

I love this site
[url]http://www.libertyrifles.org/research/dugtools.html
[/URL]

 

[Subterranean]

From what I have read/researched the double axe was created in the latter part of the 19th Cent(I cant find the documentation I had on that).I know after digging over 200 ax heads from mid 1850's sites,I have never dug a double bit ax in a non mixed site

http://www.vannattabros.com/saw5.html

I love this site
The Liberty Rifles

Thanks Kuger, Late 1800's-early 1900's dates correct for other relics I have found on my property in the immediate area. I have no doubt that I could wire wheel this gem and fit a new handle...and then put it to work again...120 years after its last chop!

 

[kuger]

Thanks Kuger, Late 1800's-early 1900's dates correct for other relics I have found on my property in the immediate area. I have no doubt that I could wire wheel this gem and fit a new handle...and then put it to work again...120 years after its last chop!

absolutely!!!I have put new handles on several axe's,a bunch of hatchets,and several picks,all dug,and they are unlike anything you could buy today!!!

 

[cti4sw]

What exactly do you mean by a "bigger" iron signal? I'm getting an AT Pro for Xmas, I'd love some tips on how to use it lol

 

[Subterranean]

What exactly do you mean by a "bigger" iron signal? I'm getting an AT Pro for Xmas, I'd love some tips on how to use it lol

cti4sw, I really like my AT Pro. I have noted that when I pass over a good sized iron item, horseshoe, tool, plow part, etc... that I get a VDI number of 40+, which is above the 35 setting that the machine registers most iron scrap, nails, bolts, etc... And, the audible signal is a smooth, deep buzz in the earphones, which you will get accustomed to hearing with big items. Just my experience so far and I am still learning. Best of Luck, Sub

 

[Brian C.]

Nice axe, I am looking for one of those, nice find.

 

[joeismad]

I found an axe head this past Sunday or Monday, I forget which one. I didn't save it or post a picture because I didn't think anyone would be interested. My guess is it's 1950's or 60's, but I'm not sure. I know right where it is and will go back, pick it up and put a picture up tomorrow or the next day.

I've only been at this a week and have found a whopping 4 Lincolns, but I think my luck is going to change this Sunday morning, which is the next chance I have to give it a go.

Sent from my iPad using TreasureNet

 

[cti4sw]

cti4sw, I really like my AT Pro. I have noted that when I pass over a good sized iron item, horseshoe, tool, plow part, etc... that I get a VDI number of 40+, which is above the 35 setting that the machine registers most iron scrap, nails, bolts, etc... And, the audible signal is a smooth, deep buzz in the earphones, which you will get accustomed to hearing with big items. Just my experience so far and I am still learning. Best of Luck, Sub

Awesome, thanks! It's going to be quite a change, going from a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV to an AT Pro. When I cross a signal on the BHT4, I bounce the coil around the area where I heard it until the bounces cause the signal to repeat. It's sorta my way of pinpointing...and a way that probably won't work with the AT Pro. That will be my most significant adapting issue...

Now, about your axe head. Look up Old Stonewall, he's done a few axe head videos and has a nifty chart on one of his threads that shows how to classify them. He might even be able to date it for you.

 

[kuger]

Awesome, thanks! It's going to be quite a change, going from a Bounty Hunter Tracker IV to an AT Pro. When I cross a signal on the BHT4, I bounce the coil around the area where I heard it until the bounces cause the signal to repeat. It's sorta my way of pinpointing...and a way that probably won't work with the AT Pro. That will be my most significant adapting issue...

Now, about your axe head. Look up Old Stonewall, he's done a few axe head videos and has a nifty chart on one of his threads that shows how to classify them. He might even be able to date it for you.

Yea,I could show him the chart too that shows some shapes....blacksmiths didnt go by that chart so who is to say what was made where?As far as a date,I challenge anybody to honestly put a year an ax.....they cant