Help and comments on an Axe head

[David R]

Arenc looks to be a good match, and for some reason I have long had it in my mind that this might be French in origin... Possibly because the shape is so like a Francesca throwing axe. The large squiggles either side I take to be decorative framing of the makers stamp. What the smaller marks are, may well be lost to time.

[fernando]

French ones (also) have triangular eyes.

~

[David R]

To sum up then, French made in the first half of the 19thC or earlier,... because you don't need power hammers to get good forge welds, (trust me on this).
Next up, recommendations on cleaning, just oiling and leaving or a good scrub down?

[fernando]

Scrubbing with a non aggressive brush could be a good idea, as it will 'brighten' it without eliminating (existing ?) patina.
Oiling is always good, even if its need is this case is not nourishing the material.

[asomotif]

Maybe it reads :

Farenc
Bedarieux

[David R]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Maybe it reads :

Farenc
Bedarieux

That certainly looks possible, does that indicate/say anything about date and area of origin?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Maybe it reads :

Farenc
Bedarieux

Interesting suggestion; a smith called (last name) Farenc, with a workshop in Bedarieux.
Browsing on the city, the only possible connection found is a restaurant, called La Forge, converted from a XVII century forging workshop. Possibly nothing to do with Farenc's axe.

[David R]

Originally Posted by fernando

Interesting suggestion; a smith called (last name) Farenc, with a workshop in Bedarieux.
Browsing on the city, the only possible connection found is a restaurant, called La Forge, converted from a XVII century forging workshop. Possibly nothing to do with Farenc's axe.

Fun though to speculate. I think I will keep this one after all.