Native American spike tomahawk, fur trade pole axes and skinning knives

M ELEY · 13th February 2023, 10:08 PM

Here's the Tatca site. See near the bottom and note the straight blade on this early Underhill versus the curved edge on mine. I think mine's earlier?

https://tatcalite.tripod.com/id54.htm

Jim McDougall · 14th February 2023, 07:58 PM

This is an amazing thread Capn, and interesting, but understandable, that these kinds of tools could easily serve as weapons whether naval shipboard arms, settlers tools or indeed American Indian weapons. It has been known of course that Indian tomahawks of assorted forms were of manufacture of American or European source from the 18th c. on.

The Underhill Edge Tool Co. began in 1820s with forge on Chester Rd. near Auburn, N.H.
In 1835, they acquired mill in Auburn Village and continued forging.

In 1852, George Underhill (1815-1882) with John Guage and other investors created Nashua Edge Tool Co.

In 1879 Nashua Edge acquired Amokeag Axe. Co.

In 1890 American Axe and Tool bought Nashua Edge.
They closed Nashua plant and moved to Douglas , Mass. as Douglas Axe mfg. but continued the Underhill brand.

It sounds like UNDERHILL name as a brand was kept. through these name changes (see attached 1859 catalog, reprinted 1980 by Ken Roberts publ.)

It seems like UNDERHILL was stamped on one side of head, with AMERICAN AXE on other.
Other examples with Underhill one side, O on the other.

In a somber but intriguing note, It is said that LIZZIE BORDEN used an UNDERHILL axe in the heinous murders that she was charged with in Fall River, Mass. Aug.14,1892.

However the forensics of this murder and clouded evidence were likely the reason she was acquitted. Actually, in the basement there were two hatchets; two axes and a hatchet head with broken handle found.
While none had blood on blades, presumably the broken handle was assumed due to that use.
The first pic (a poll axe) is the one purportedly used by Lizzie.

In other literature, the axe shown with images of Lizzie is a curious spike type, but no further detail offered......curious.

M ELEY · 15th February 2023, 04:58 PM

Wow! Thank you, Jim, for this thorough information on the Underhill company and the connection with the Borden murder case, one of the most infamous in United States history! I seriously had no idea how far back the initial company existed, nor how long into the early twentieth they survived! My argument still stands that in the earlier and mid-19th, whether it was a blacksmith-wrought or trip hammer-forged spike axe, it would have been highly looked upon by native peoples. The spike tomahawk always existed as a tool/weapon in those earlier times. For those that shun the later 'hardware store' types (usually the pipe axe collectors whose taste and price range are admittedly on a far different level that the simple spikes), I'd remind that even the pipes were later cast models, many made of brass and pewter (not warrior axes by any means, but more ceremonial/hierarchy-based). Thank you again, JIm, for this archive of information, photocopied prints, etc! It really adds to the whole story of the developing axes in North America and their role in history!

13th February 2023, 10:08 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Another reference for posterity! Here's the Tatca site. See near the bottom and note the straight blade on this early Underhill versus the curved edge on mine. I think mine's earlier? https://tatcalite.tripod.com/id54.htm Attached Images

14th February 2023, 07:58 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	This is an amazing thread Capn, and interesting, but understandable, that these kinds of tools could easily serve as weapons whether naval shipboard arms, settlers tools or indeed American Indian weapons. It has been known of course that Indian tomahawks of assorted forms were of manufacture of American or European source from the 18th c. on. The Underhill Edge Tool Co. began in 1820s with forge on Chester Rd. near Auburn, N.H. In 1835, they acquired mill in Auburn Village and continued forging. In 1852, George Underhill (1815-1882) with John Guage and other investors created Nashua Edge Tool Co. In 1879 Nashua Edge acquired Amokeag Axe. Co. In 1890 American Axe and Tool bought Nashua Edge. They closed Nashua plant and moved to Douglas , Mass. as Douglas Axe mfg. but continued the Underhill brand. It sounds like UNDERHILL name as a brand was kept. through these name changes (see attached 1859 catalog, reprinted 1980 by Ken Roberts publ.) It seems like UNDERHILL was stamped on one side of head, with AMERICAN AXE on other. Other examples with Underhill one side, O on the other. In a somber but intriguing note, It is said that LIZZIE BORDEN used an UNDERHILL axe in the heinous murders that she was charged with in Fall River, Mass. Aug.14,1892. However the forensics of this murder and clouded evidence were likely the reason she was acquitted. Actually, in the basement there were two hatchets; two axes and a hatchet head with broken handle found. While none had blood on blades, presumably the broken handle was assumed due to that use. The first pic (a poll axe) is the one purportedly used by Lizzie. In other literature, the axe shown with images of Lizzie is a curious spike type, but no further detail offered......curious. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 15th February 2023 at 01:06 AM.

15th February 2023, 04:58 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Wow! Thank you, Jim, for this thorough information on the Underhill company and the connection with the Borden murder case, one of the most infamous in United States history! I seriously had no idea how far back the initial company existed, nor how long into the early twentieth they survived! My argument still stands that in the earlier and mid-19th, whether it was a blacksmith-wrought or trip hammer-forged spike axe, it would have been highly looked upon by native peoples. The spike tomahawk always existed as a tool/weapon in those earlier times. For those that shun the later 'hardware store' types (usually the pipe axe collectors whose taste and price range are admittedly on a far different level that the simple spikes), I'd remind that even the pipes were later cast models, many made of brass and pewter (not warrior axes by any means, but more ceremonial/hierarchy-based). Thank you again, JIm, for this archive of information, photocopied prints, etc! It really adds to the whole story of the developing axes in North America and their role in history!