-

According to this image, at least, (as we know that patterns varied a little from maker to maker, period to period) it's like a Dayton/Michigan hybrid. Rounded heel and toe like a Michigan but squared poll like a Dayton instead of rounded. The New England pattern was sometimes called an "Improved Wisconsin".

WisconsinPattern4.jpg
 
If the patterns really are that similar most people are going to assume a worn out head was originally a Dayton because they're the most common.
 
axe1.jpg


In this example it appears to be distinguished from a Maine by having slightly less flare to the heel. Very nearly a rough rectangle like a Wedge but thinner and with a very slightly flare. This particular chart's depiction of a New England is a narrower Wisconsin with rounded corners. It also seems to indicate that it MAY have a bit of inward sweep to the broad faces of the poll, a bit like the aft of a rowboat, but this is unclear from the low-detail image.
 
Honestly, yeah. A LOT of American axe patterns can kind of be broadly lumped under "pretty much a Dayton variant" due to how even Daytons themselves vary so much from maker to maker. And the second they start taking on wear many of the differences are so small that they lose all distinction.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top