Help with Identification-Naval Axe?

[mgolab]

Hello:

I recently acquired this all iron, hand forged hatchet/axe. The head is 8 inches and overall length is 18 inches. It weighs 3 pounds. It came from upstate New York, Rochester/Lake Ontario region.

Too heavy for a spike tomahawk (although common in that region) and I'm pretty sure this pre-dates crate axes. It also has a chisel/spike end and not a hammer end typically seen on crate axes. I am wonder whether a naval tool/axe given Lake Ontario's naval engagement history in War of 1812.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[wildwolberine]

Interesting old tool! I wonder if it might be a vintage ice harvesting axe? Not the ice axe for mountaineering but for cutting ice from frozen lakes for sale?

[mgolab]

I've seen a lot of old ice harvesting hatchets. Not likely. blade profile is different along with chisel spike end.

[Bob A]

Originally Posted by wildwolberine

Interesting old tool! I wonder if it might be a vintage ice harvesting axe? Not the ice axe for mountaineering but for cutting ice from frozen lakes for sale?

From the wilds of Lake Ontario: I came, Ice Saw, I conquered!

[wildwolberine]

Originally Posted by Bob A

From the wilds of Lake Ontario: I came, Ice Saw, I conquered!

Nice!

[cel7]

Originally Posted by mgolab

Hello:

I recently acquired this all iron, hand forged hatchet/axe. The head is 8 inches and overall length is 18 inches. It weighs 3 pounds. It came from upstate New York, Rochester/Lake Ontario region.

Too heavy for a spike tomahawk (although common in that region) and I'm pretty sure this pre-dates crate axes. It also has a chisel/spike end and not a hammer end typically seen on crate axes. I am wonder whether a naval tool/axe given Lake Ontario's naval engagement history in War of 1812.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Definitely a tool. Perhaps a roofing hammer or something that was used in the mines.

[mgolab]

Thank You. Does not resemble a roofing hammer. Thus, no hammer end and no nail pull.

Piece appears to be 18th century to me. Also, not aware of any mining in Rochester NY.

[Interested Party]

It minds me of a mill pick but not quite the right shape. Their ax and adze are a little more wedge shaped in profile and shorter I believe. It is hard to get a sense of proportion, size, and overall shape from these pictures. The prybar handle is a later addition? Interesting in that it seems made for a very specific purpose. In its current configuration it would be good for pulling specimens out of mines. If I owned it that would be its purpose. Though I wouldn't want to swing it too much with that metal handle it makes my elbow hurt just looking at it.

Bob A I believe that is a hay knife, maybe it saw double duty. Here is a picture from the Antique Ice Tool Museum.

This seems like a Miscellaneous tool.

[Ian]

mgolab: Your hammer head has the general profile of a slater's hammer, but the all metal handle may be ill suited for that purpose--seems too heavy to wield for a day.

Bob: I'm pretty sure your tool is a hay knife and would not cut ice all that well. The one's shown by IP are what I saw used in Minnesota by the old timers. Nowadays ice augers and chain saws seem to have replaced a lot of the hand ice saws, at least for ice fishing and ice sculptures.

[mgolab]

Thanks Ian, but I'd have to disagree with you on that. Where is the hammer? It is a blade profile with a spike/chisel end. Hand forged. Someone else suggested that the head and haft were married at a later date, which makes sense looking at the eye profile.

[David]

Seems like an interesting tool that should be moved to the Miscellaneous Forum.

[Ian]

Agree Gavin. Over it goes for further discussion.