An axe and a hatchet

[Bald1]

Last couple of years I’ve been messing around with old axes and hatchets. Two weeks ago I looked at a few and one happened to be a Craftsman Golden Jubilee Anniversary (1886-1936) 4.5lb head. Apparently the smaller anniversary hatchets were much more common. I gave it a vinegar bath and a new 32” haft. Yesterday I looked at a Plumb half hatchet that turned out to be a WWII era VICTORY. An older gentleman owned it and when I asked if he Re handled it he said no. That handle has been on there the 40 yrs I’ve owned it. But it was clear it was not original. A little research showed it to be a Hartwell Bros out of Memphis TN handle. Apparently they are collectible on some level in their own right. I cleaned it up a little and I’m very happy with my $10 purchase. The Craftsman was one of three items I bought for $20.

 

[sceva]

here is an even older Craftsman hatchet. It is a hewing hatchet that my great Grandfather used as a carpenter building barns in Champaign County Ohio. Great Grandad died late 1920's; he carried his tools in the side car on his 1919 Indian Twin. I re-handled the hatchet a couple of years ago.

 

[Bald1]

here is an even older Craftsman hatchet. It is a hewing hatchet that my great Grandfather used as a carpenter building barns in Champaign County Ohio. Great Grandad died late 1920's; he carried his tools in the side car on his 1919 Indian Twin. I re-handled the hatchet a couple of years ago.

That’s pretty cool. I’d have that pic of him on bike prominently displayed somewhere in my house.

 

[30-30remchester]

I have collected axes and hatches for a few decades now. Nothing extremely rare, just some older makers like Plumb, True Temper , Winchester and the like. Here is a tomahawk I just posted on another forum. From the 1940's made by the Sheldon-Wells Co.

 

[Bald1]

Pretty cool that you have the sheath as well

 

[30-30remchester]

Pretty cool that you have the sheath as well

I had wondered for years about this hawk and with help from a knife forum, I was able to finally identify it. The original markings were laid faintly and easily worn off. Several sellers on Ebay claim WW 2 provenance but am very skeptical. The original owner's initials were crudely scratched into the sheath, but he also had it professionally stamped with his name. JAMES GOFF.

Decades of collecting everything from axes, antique guns, ammo, holster, knives, tools and similar, I always hated to see some previous owner's initials or names carved into an item. I got quite skilled at removing these markings, but as I age, I am realizing that there is a certain "cool" factor to these marking and I leave them alone nowadays.

 

[mikerjf]

Here is one my grandfather found in an Arizona wash. I believe it is *prewar.

*I refer, of course, to the Powhatan war…

 

[Bald1]

Amazing what water can do. Or maybe it was a hammer

 

[lihpster]

Amazing what water can do. Or maybe it was a hammer

I'd bet it was a pestle for crushing grains and seeds.

 

[6518John]

Here is one my grandfather found in an Arizona wash. I believe it is *prewar.

*I refer, of course, to the Powhatan war…

That tomahawk head would put a knot on your head!

 

[Onomea]

Sceva, you've posted that cool pic of your great grandfather before. I always think, looking at him, "Not a man to be trifled with!"

Now that I know he had a hatchet in that sidecar, my belief is reinforced!