Axe Question

mgolab · 21st May 2024, 06:59 PM

I purchased it in Southern Indiana by Vincennes where the 8th Regiment was involved during the American Revolution.

On the one side of the hatchet, there appears to be blacksmith initials and the number “4”. On the other side, are more marks, not sure whether proof marks, rack numbers, “8” with a “P” or “F”? The axe appears to be 18th century, hand forged. Not sure whether I also see a faint broad arrow mark on the side with the “8”.

I added the handle.

The head is slightly under 7 inches long.

Ed · 22nd May 2024, 03:38 PM

I don't think that an ax would be "proofed", that is a firearm issue. Inspected more like.

Nice find.

M ELEY · 22nd May 2024, 03:51 PM

Excellent example of the old style poll axes. These types made their way into North America with the French and the Hudson Bay Company British fur traders. Both Neumann and Hartzler's guides show similar examples. Great find, Mark!

A. G. Maisey · 29th May 2024, 02:44 AM

Are we quite certain that this hatchet head can be called a "poll axe"?

Interested Party · 1st June 2024, 03:07 PM

[[/B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Are we quite certain that this hatchet head can be called a "poll axe"?

A picture taken from above would help answer this question. Picture 1 seems to show a little thickening towards the heel of the ax. Or are you referring to size?

EDIT: On rereading the entire thread it was originally called a hatchet in the OP. My questions would be is it a belt ax? Which were to my understanding smaller than what we think of an ax today. Either way I like its profile.

A. G. Maisey · 2nd June 2024, 12:19 AM

I saw "poll axe", but the first thing I noticed when I looked at the pic was that eye was not round.

Then I wondered exactly what a "poll axe"was, so I asked Dr. Google, & what I found was a rather elaborate medieval shaft weapon.

However, the man who taught me smithing (Gordon Blackwell) called any type of axe that had a round eye a "poll axe", & I found that a number of other Australian smiths used the same terminology.

I have a bit of a thing for axes in general, one of my uncles was a competition axeman, when he got his final promotion I got his 5 pound racing axe, I re-dressed it & it is now my go-to axe around my property. Apart from that, I constantly look for old, nice quality axes & hatchets in garage sales & markets. I don't collect them, I don't know much about them, but I like them & I accumulate them.

I feel that this hatchet is not really a poll axe by any measure, but if anybody wants to call it this, I won't argue with them.

21st May 2024, 06:59 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	Axe Question I purchased it in Southern Indiana by Vincennes where the 8th Regiment was involved during the American Revolution. On the one side of the hatchet, there appears to be blacksmith initials and the number “4”. On the other side, are more marks, not sure whether proof marks, rack numbers, “8” with a “P” or “F”? The axe appears to be 18th century, hand forged. Not sure whether I also see a faint broad arrow mark on the side with the “8”. I added the handle. The head is slightly under 7 inches long. Attached Images

22nd May 2024, 03:38 PM	#2
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 237	I don't think that an ax would be "proofed", that is a firearm issue. Inspected more like. Nice find.

22nd May 2024, 03:51 PM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,100	Excellent example of the old style poll axes. These types made their way into North America with the French and the Hudson Bay Company British fur traders. Both Neumann and Hartzler's guides show similar examples. Great find, Mark!

29th May 2024, 02:44 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,896	Are we quite certain that this hatchet head can be called a "poll axe"?

2nd June 2024, 12:19 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,896	I saw "poll axe", but the first thing I noticed when I looked at the pic was that eye was not round. Then I wondered exactly what a "poll axe"was, so I asked Dr. Google, & what I found was a rather elaborate medieval shaft weapon. However, the man who taught me smithing (Gordon Blackwell) called any type of axe that had a round eye a "poll axe", & I found that a number of other Australian smiths used the same terminology. I have a bit of a thing for axes in general, one of my uncles was a competition axeman, when he got his final promotion I got his 5 pound racing axe, I re-dressed it & it is now my go-to axe around my property. Apart from that, I constantly look for old, nice quality axes & hatchets in garage sales & markets. I don't collect them, I don't know much about them, but I like them & I accumulate them. I feel that this hatchet is not really a poll axe by any measure, but if anybody wants to call it this, I won't argue with them.