Rifleman Hammer Poll Belt Axe or Mining Tool?

mgolab · 24th July 2023, 04:38 PM

Hello:

Curious as to whether this axe/hatchet in my collection is a rifleman hammer poll belt axe or just a mining tool?

Dimensions:

12 inches overall
4.25 from poll to blade
2 inch wide cutting blade
11.4 oz overall weight

appears square head nails in head. Seems kind of small for a mining tool...

Appreciate any comments.

Thanks

AHite · 24th July 2023, 11:06 PM

To me, that looks like an old roofing hatchet. This would be used with split cedar shingles. Hammer on back for roofing nails. Good solid tool!

Rick · 25th July 2023, 12:28 AM

Those look like wedges to me rather than cut nails; and yes, I agree that it looks to be a shingle/shake tool.
I used to do some wood roofing when I was young; most of our cedar shingles and shakes came from Canada. The saws they used cut these from didn't have many safety guards and now and then you would find a bunch of bloody shingles in a bundle.
I think there are a fair amount of the guys that cut these back in the day that wound up a little short on fingers.

As a matter of fact possibly some of your pointed examples may actually be hammers for slate roofing with the little points. Back in the day when slate roofs were more common the slates were applied when still wet and you could put the holes in fresh slate shingles by using the pointy end.

fernando · 25th July 2023, 12:02 PM

So, not a weapon ... but a tool !

M ELEY · 25th July 2023, 02:22 PM

Based on the pics, I'd have to agree with the other folks on this one; an early tool axe in the style of the earlier pole/hammer axes. This one is an early casting. Note the curved blade edge and lack of manufacturer stamp. Still, a nice early (mid-19th ?) axe that could have been used on the frontier.

mgolab · 25th July 2023, 02:54 PM

Thank you everyone for the comments/feedback. Both informative and helpful.

I have one other ax in my collection which I am unclear about (whether tool or otherwise-another poll form). I will be posting pictures under a new post shortly.

Thanks again.

24th July 2023, 04:38 PM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	Rifleman Hammer Poll Belt Axe or Mining Tool? Hello: Curious as to whether this axe/hatchet in my collection is a rifleman hammer poll belt axe or just a mining tool? Dimensions: 12 inches overall 4.25 from poll to blade 2 inch wide cutting blade 11.4 oz overall weight appears square head nails in head. Seems kind of small for a mining tool... Appreciate any comments. Thanks Attached Images

25th July 2023, 12:28 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Those look like wedges to me rather than cut nails; and yes, I agree that it looks to be a shingle/shake tool. I used to do some wood roofing when I was young; most of our cedar shingles and shakes came from Canada. The saws they used cut these from didn't have many safety guards and now and then you would find a bunch of bloody shingles in a bundle. I think there are a fair amount of the guys that cut these back in the day that wound up a little short on fingers. As a matter of fact possibly some of your pointed examples may actually be hammers for slate roofing with the little points. Back in the day when slate roofs were more common the slates were applied when still wet and you could put the holes in fresh slate shingles by using the pointy end. Last edited by Rick; 25th July 2023 at 12:52 AM.

24th July 2023, 11:06 PM	#2
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 48	To me, that looks like an old roofing hatchet. This would be used with split cedar shingles. Hammer on back for roofing nails. Good solid tool!

25th July 2023, 12:02 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	So, not a weapon ... but a tool !

25th July 2023, 02:22 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,093	Based on the pics, I'd have to agree with the other folks on this one; an early tool axe in the style of the earlier pole/hammer axes. This one is an early casting. Note the curved blade edge and lack of manufacturer stamp. Still, a nice early (mid-19th ?) axe that could have been used on the frontier.

25th July 2023, 02:54 PM	#6
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 42	Thank you everyone for the comments/feedback. Both informative and helpful. I have one other ax in my collection which I am unclear about (whether tool or otherwise-another poll form). I will be posting pictures under a new post shortly. Thanks again.