Very Rare Biscayne Trade Ax

[smokeythecat]

I was out antiquing the other day and came across this ax. It was reasonable and frankly, I didn't have one, and have only found 3 Rev axes - ever, so snagged it because it was reasonably priced.

It is an ultra rare French made "Biscayne" trade ax. These were first traded to the native Americans ca 1520! The site this came off of was visited by the Spanish by 1560 or thereabouts. Just in front of the poll is the touchmark, a cross in a circle and it needs to be cleaned more to see it.

This thing is probably from the 16th century. Latest date would probably be about 1640 or so. All the characteristics are 16th century. Thank you God!

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Still a lot of meat left on that. Great find!

 

[Truth]

Smokey that thing is beautiful!!! Man does that ax have some age on it. I love ax heads. Congratulations on a great deal.

 

[birdman]

Will be a great display piece.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Will you use electrolysis to clean it? Gary

 

[arrow86]

Nice find , is that a Cecil county shop you found it in ? Also curios will you restore it at all , would look cool with a nice handle attached

 

[Hawks88]

Nice find Smokey. Congrats

 

[HIGHSTRUNG]

Great find! Congrats!

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes, it came out of Cecil County. Thank you all. I will clean it mechanically and then do Aquachigger's heated wax treatment. Small dental pics for the loose stuff, then the hot wax will penetrate the iron and drive the remaining moisture out of it. No handle however.

 

[Calabash Digger]

Very nice!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome piece of history!

 

[smokeythecat]

At this point, I'm picking the loose rust piece off, it's easy. Next will be a steel file, then after the T storms, the hot wax. It takes about an hour. You have to get it hot, but not hot enough to catch fire.

 

[A2coins]

Thats a cool find I love browsing antique stores

 

[smokeythecat]

There aren't as many around here as there used to be. Sign of the times.

 

[releventchair]

Wow.
Congrats! Never handled one that old.....
I always keep an eye out for such ,since previous participation in living history events ,including throwing replica's.
Early eighties a trade axe turned up for 90 bucks.
Not anywhere near the age of yours and I passed.
None with any provenance noted since....

One of my oldest users is probably hundreds of years newer than yours. But it can still be used without fear of depreciating it too much. (Small consolation.)

 

[smokeythecat]

That one's nice! T storms in progress now, so no heating wax outside right now.

 

[smokeythecat]

I finally got it cleaned and preserved. I may do a second wax treatment, I haven't decided yet. It turned out pretty well.

 

[Megalodon]

Nice "find"! The trick with coin shows is to cherry pick and find something out of the dealer's specialty. This seems to be even more the case with antique shops. Was it labelled as a Biscayne axe? Or was the estimated century/age even close?

 

[smokeythecat]

Megalodon, it was simply labeled "old Indian trade ax". An "old Indian trade ax" can sell for $75-$150, max. A Biscayne ax is $400. He didn't know what he had. This happens once every 3 years or so for me. I don't buy much anymore.

 

[Megalodon]

Superior knowledge pays off - again!

Betcha the dealer was thinking he really pulled one off on you, LOL!