Hammer Poll?

mgolab · 27th July 2023, 12:05 AM

Hello:

Another axe in my collection which has been puzzling me. Clearly hand forged, shape and style of a hammer poll tomahawk but i'm thinking too heavy...

Dimensions:

9 inches from blade to poll (the poll itself is 3 inches)

19 inches overall

but 3.5 pounds...

curious as to the age of this one and whether it was some sort of weapon or mining tool? However, I am fairly certain the forging dates to the 18th century here.

Thanks

mgolab · 27th July 2023, 08:00 PM

Also, just to add-

the axe comes from the Fort Ligonier area in PA. Not sure if there is any historical connection...then again, a lot of coal mining in that area. However, the forging seems to pre-date coal mining days.

Also, lack of ears on the axe-I understand may indicate English influence.

Would appreciate any comments. Thanks

Battara · 28th July 2023, 12:55 AM

Moving this to Euro section too.

mgolab · 28th July 2023, 01:30 AM

to further note, this axe was found in Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Fort Ligonier.

M ELEY · 28th July 2023, 06:01 AM

Definitely hand forged, perhaps late 18th/early 19th? Based on the size and 'bulkiness', it's more of a tool than a weapon. I know the discussion always leads to the trend of 'weapon vs tool', but that was because in those days, either/or was based on what you were carrying then you were being attacked!!! It's just like belay pins on a ship. The naysayers will point out that these are not weapons, ever! They are tools/support pins for the ship.

Yet...in many many boarding attacks, these pins became excellent club weapons in a pinch. The importance in the distinction should really fall more on 'is my ax one that was carried by a rifleman on the plains, native American, fur trapper in the wilderness, etc or was it made by Sears/Roebuck and supplied to some plumb little shopkeeper in Abilene! Some axes were weapons only, some both weapon and tool and some just tools, but your tool ax, with it's heavy weighted hammer end (which aided in counter-balance and gave strength to a swing) could be lethal either way. If only these items could tell us their tales!

mgolab · 28th July 2023, 08:13 PM

M ELEY, thank you for the comments.

I think you hit the nail on the proverbial head with your thorough and well said analysis!

I appreciate it.

27th July 2023, 12:05 AM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	Hammer Poll? Hello: Another axe in my collection which has been puzzling me. Clearly hand forged, shape and style of a hammer poll tomahawk but i'm thinking too heavy... Dimensions: 9 inches from blade to poll (the poll itself is 3 inches) 19 inches overall but 3.5 pounds... curious as to the age of this one and whether it was some sort of weapon or mining tool? However, I am fairly certain the forging dates to the 18th century here. Thanks Attached Images

27th July 2023, 08:00 PM	#2
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	Also, just to add- the axe comes from the Fort Ligonier area in PA. Not sure if there is any historical connection...then again, a lot of coal mining in that area. However, the forging seems to pre-date coal mining days. Also, lack of ears on the axe-I understand may indicate English influence. Would appreciate any comments. Thanks

28th July 2023, 12:55 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Moving this to Euro section too.

28th July 2023, 01:30 AM	#4
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	to further note, this axe was found in Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Fort Ligonier.

28th July 2023, 06:01 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,088	Definitely hand forged, perhaps late 18th/early 19th? Based on the size and 'bulkiness', it's more of a tool than a weapon. I know the discussion always leads to the trend of 'weapon vs tool', but that was because in those days, either/or was based on what you were carrying then you were being attacked!!! It's just like belay pins on a ship. The naysayers will point out that these are not weapons, ever! They are tools/support pins for the ship. Yet...in many many boarding attacks, these pins became excellent club weapons in a pinch. The importance in the distinction should really fall more on 'is my ax one that was carried by a rifleman on the plains, native American, fur trapper in the wilderness, etc or was it made by Sears/Roebuck and supplied to some plumb little shopkeeper in Abilene! Some axes were weapons only, some both weapon and tool and some just tools, but your tool ax, with it's heavy weighted hammer end (which aided in counter-balance and gave strength to a swing) could be lethal either way. If only these items could tell us their tales!

28th July 2023, 08:13 PM	#6
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	M ELEY, thank you for the comments. I think you hit the nail on the proverbial head with your thorough and well said analysis! I appreciate it.