A curious hatchet

mgolab · 29th September 2025, 12:47 PM

I recently picked this hatchet up. 5.25 x 3 inches, 17 inches overall. 1.45 pounds.

A "U" on one side and "CC" on other side with circle marks. I've attached a documented revolutionary war camp axe with similar circle marks.

Hand forged

M ELEY · 30th September 2025, 10:18 PM

Hello Mark. Boy, you sure know how to find them! Yep, this appears to be a Revolutionary War pattern camp axe or there-abouts, ca late 18th. It fits the pattern in Hartzler's, Neumann's, and Hotham's. I tried to look up that interesting CC and O stamp pattern and saw it in the same reference you posted Hartzler/Knowles, but no matching anywhere else. To the best of my reading, 99% of these early marked axes remain unidentified as to their maker. I did see a lot that have either a single "0" or double zero. It is a nice old soldier for your growing collection!

mgolab · 1st October 2025, 03:12 PM

Thanks Mark.

Your analysis is "on point" and completely in line with additional comments that I just received about the hatchet off line. Appears to be late 18th century to early 19th century.

Based on my limited research and review of some original documents, Connecticut marked some musket barrels and powder horns with a "CC", signifying "Connecticut Colony" in or about 1776. Some were also marked "SC", for "State of Connecticut", not "South Carolina".

Not sure if relevant to my hatchet, but my hatchet did come from the "New England area" according to the seller.

29th September 2025, 12:47 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	A curious hatchet I recently picked this hatchet up. 5.25 x 3 inches, 17 inches overall. 1.45 pounds. A "U" on one side and "CC" on other side with circle marks. I've attached a documented revolutionary war camp axe with similar circle marks. Hand forged Attached Images

30th September 2025, 10:18 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,201	Hello Mark. Boy, you sure know how to find them! Yep, this appears to be a Revolutionary War pattern camp axe or there-abouts, ca late 18th. It fits the pattern in Hartzler's, Neumann's, and Hotham's. I tried to look up that interesting CC and O stamp pattern and saw it in the same reference you posted Hartzler/Knowles, but no matching anywhere else. To the best of my reading, 99% of these early marked axes remain unidentified as to their maker. I did see a lot that have either a single "0" or double zero. It is a nice old soldier for your growing collection!

1st October 2025, 03:12 PM	#3
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 118	Thanks Mark. Your analysis is "on point" and completely in line with additional comments that I just received about the hatchet off line. Appears to be late 18th century to early 19th century. Based on my limited research and review of some original documents, Connecticut marked some musket barrels and powder horns with a "CC", signifying "Connecticut Colony" in or about 1776. Some were also marked "SC", for "State of Connecticut", not "South Carolina". Not sure if relevant to my hatchet, but my hatchet did come from the "New England area" according to the seller.