Posted 9 years ago
BHock45
(807 items)
This is one remarkable piece. I met up with a guy who sold antique tools, mainly axes. He had all kinds of axes but only one like this. It is about 14 inches in length, the head is forged. There is a stamp/mark, but I cannot make it out, seen in picture #2.
The guy told me that this ax is attributed to Basto Village, a historic colonial village in the NJ Pine Barons. The Basto Iron Works was founded in 1766 By Charles Read. He also told me that there is another ax, just like this one in a local NJ art museum, and it too is attributed to Basto. Who knows if the story is true, it may be or may not be from Basto. Regardless, it is a great early American ax for me to enjoy. THanks!!!
thank you violetorange, caperkid, jscott, and mikelv for the loves
what a find!
I was. just yesterday, watching a documentary on U-tube where they shown a group of craftsman from the Neatherlands who were recreating an early style log home to add to their historical village. What was interesting was that they made the entire log structure using nothing but hand tools, most of which was done with axes similar to the one that you acquired. They used them, not only to chop and hue logs, but to use the axes as slicing tools to fit the joinery. I watched in amazement as these craftsman worked. I could only wish that I was as talented as they were using only simple primitive cutting tools.
hotairfan. Hey, hope all is well! That sounds like an interesting documentary. I recently saw one similar about a hunter/trapper in Siberia. In one scene they record this guy making a canoe with nothing but an adze. It was amazing.
In early America they used different types of axes for different jobs. Hewing was done with a broad axe and mortises were cut with a mortise ax, etc. I am sure you know this already. What is funny is that yesterday I found a very early broad axe, probably 1700's. Pure luck.
This particular ax is incredible, I wish the marking was more clear. The price was great too....the guy selling it to me seemed very close to sure that it is NJ ax from the colonial times.
A seller says what it takes to sell. The nail-puller notch says post-1900 to me. Hope I'm wrong.
I hear what you are saying blunder, but this wasn't a typical retail sales guy. It is a guy I contacted who is a collector of antique axes. Besides at the price I paid.....it would be a good deal even for a modern ax like this. It is an old ax, but maybe not as old as he is saying. If you handled it I think you would agree.
Check some of these out blunder:
http://www.thepirateslair.com/images/naval-nautical-antiques/113013-type-ii-boarding-ax2-s.jpg
http://www.thepirateslair.com/images/naval-nautical-antiques/us-navy-boarding-ax.jpg
Ill keep looking for more, I also have to do some more reserach on this one before I can be sure of anything. Talk to you later
Sorry BHock. I've just never seen a nail-puller on anything before (maybe 1900). That is a nail-puller?
This appears to me as an obvious nail- puller, where the others don't. Hey, I'm hoping I'm wrong! Just show me something concrete. Factory made nails didn't appear until when? Maybe early 1800's. The nail heads were not the same. I'm here to learn!
yes, blunder, blacksmith made nails, roseheads, were used in the 1700's. They still would have needed something to pull those nails out. I am not 100% sure that is a nail puller, but I would say it most likely is.
The bottom line is that I do no like to say, "This is definitely old." Any time I say that I end up being wrong. I'm going to do some more research...
Taking a good look again, the metal appears too thick there to be a nail puller. Now, if not a nail puller, what could it be for?
I am not sure blunder, but I am going to call the guy who sold it to me. He mentioned somewhere in Jersey where there is a life size diorama of colonial life here. He said that there is a similar ax used in the diorama, also attributed to Basto. Who knows....it is worth a shot.
It is a history or an art museum somewhere down south.
actually, I remember him saying something about a "prehistoric diorama display," Maybe it is this one.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/science/so-prehistory-looked-like-new-jersey.html?_r=0
After the 2 examples you showed with twin notches, I'm really wondering about the purpose. Has to be one.
a wild guess....to fit in a belt or a holster? Probably not.....
here is another old one with a description calling it a nail puller.
https://www.joesalter.com/category/products/Old-Relic-Hatchet
So, we agree. It may or may not be a nail puller.
Nice looking piece. I might dispute the age by a few years but not enough to make a difference. As for being a nail puller?? Look at and modern ( 1800's or later) axe heads with a nail puller. You will find they have a tapered opening with a beveled edge with the steel not being as thick as this is and square edged.
I have seen similar ones that came from Norway and were used in ship building. Keep in mind what we know as a nail wasn't around back then. I doubt calling it a spike would do it justice. Trying to remove one with a thin beveled edge wouldn't work. The weakest point would give way.
I have deleted most of my research sites but there are excellent sites out there to research this. I am reaching the end of the road and cleaning things up around here. Always good to see your finds.
Eureka!! It's a beer bottle opener!! Right in front of us all the time. I forgot to open a Corona & my cutlass was closer, so the "Mother of Invention" cured the problem. LOL!!
Thank you fhrjr2 for clarifying. I was going to suggest a shipbuilding axe based on some other pictures I have seen, but it would have been a guess. I will keep looking for some research sits as you suggest. Take care!
It looks a lot like a traditional Japanese hatchet. They have been used for hundreds of years and still used today.
Oops ! must have missed the button last yr..
Hey BHock, I’m also in NJ and very interested to talk to you about this axe. Please write back if you get this message!
unfortunately, Brett passed away unexpectedly last spring
Oh, that sucks. Thanks for sharing, TallCakes.