Any idea's on this Axe make?

[BigMikeO]

Hello,

I did all the searching I could and couldn't find my answer so I figured I'd join so I could ask.

Anybody have an idea on the Make/Name/etc. for this Axe?

I was at the flea market today in search of a camp axe and I came across this. it was in pretty rough shape and there must be 30 nails hammered into the top of it. I know it was used to flatten the edges of a log, and I'm guessing it's really old because the head itself seems to be raught (sp?) iron and a small piece of steel is forge welded to the edge. The only marking is on the head with 3 letters stamped in ?.H.S

grr... this is by far the toughest forum i've seen to attach and image. Lets just try a link to a picasa album...
https://picasaweb.google.com/My.Fuzzyhat/Axe#

Thanks,
Mike

 

[church&son]

It's a belt axe, a lot were made for the railroads with initials of the RR. Looks like mild steel with a high carbon bit forge welded on. I have seen this style but can't remember right now. The double ears on the top and bottom go back to Revolutionary War days. Very nice. Here's a place to start looking........Randy
http://furtradetomahawks.tripod.com/index.html
Also you could look up "Kentucky Belt Axe" or " Ft. Meigs Axe" reminds me of those

 

[saxon]

Looks like a right handed hewing hatchet. Like you said it was used for flattening the sides of logs.

 

[Dusty One]

It is a hewing axe. Here is one similar from Kelly axe 1904-1930 on this one.

 

[Operator1975]

Broad hatchet or hewing hatchet, also sometimes called a bench hatchet. I would not call that a belt axe myself.

As stated, used for hewing logs into beams, also sometimes for ice block use too, though not as popular of a function. Thick head with heavy pole, those babys would pack a punch and would also take a punch, very durable and low maintenance.