Recommendation? Bridgeport BSA Hatchet Restoration

[Whisperstealth]

My mother found an old dirty hatchet at auction, and knowing I like hatchets, bought it for all of $5 and gave it to me.

At first I had no idea what I had. I like hatchets, but am in no way a really knowledge person when it comes to them. I thought it might be Chineseium, but after getting some of the dirt off, I found the US Patent number and Made In The USA stamped into the upper handle. Thrilled, I cleaned off more dirt and uncovered the BRIDGEPORT stamping...

I went to the internet with this info, and discovered the Hatchet was a BSA Hatchet from before I was born. I was over the moon happy with the discovery, as I love old made in the USA tools, and it being a BSA Hatchet made it that much cooler. With some more dirt removal, I can just make out the BSA Emblem.

The hatchet is in kinda fair overall condition. It's black paint is there. The wood handle scales are a little bowed out and worn, but pretty much intact. The edge is a little chipped and dull, but still useable if necessary, and the hammer head has definitely been used, but not super abused. And there is minor pitting throughout.

My question is, what should I do with it? I absolutely want to keep it. I'm not going to sell it. Should I leave it as is, or restore it. - Or rather have someone restore it? And if I have someone restore it, how much does it cost to have done?

Any thoughts or recommendations? I will try to get pictures of it up soon.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

They're fairly common, and if it's not in collector-grade condition you may as well restore the sucker and get it back to work!

 

[Hickory n steel]

My mother found an old dirty hatchet at auction, and knowing I like hatchets, bought it for all of $5 and gave it to me.

At first I had no idea what I had. I like hatchets, but am in no way a really knowledge person when it comes to them. I thought it might be Chineseium, but after getting some of the dirt off, I found the US Patent number and Made In The USA stamped into the upper handle. Thrilled, I cleaned off more dirt and uncovered the BRIDGEPORT stamping...

I went to the internet with this info, and discovered the Hatchet was a BSA Hatchet from before I was born. I was over the moon happy with the discovery, as I love old made in the USA tools, and it being a BSA Hatchet made it that much cooler. With some more dirt removal, I can just make out the BSA Emblem.

The hatchet is in kinda fair overall condition. It's black paint is there. The wood handle scales are a little bowed out and worn, but pretty much intact. The edge is a little chipped and dull, but still useable if necessary, and the hammer head has definitely been used, but not super abused. And there is minor pitting throughout.

My question is, what should I do with it? I absolutely want to keep it. I'm not going to sell it. Should I leave it as is, or restore it. - Or rather have someone restore it? And if I have someone restore it, how much does it cost to have done?

Any thoughts or recommendations? I will try to get pictures of it up soon.

I wouldn't try to mirror polish it or anything, but they're quite common and there's nothing wrong with rehabbing it back into functional condition.

 

[Whisperstealth]

Okay, so I don't normally post pictures on the web, and have not posted any pictures here on Blade Forums. Can someone please tell me how to do so?

 

[Whisperstealth]

Just remembered up, so I can now post pictures!

Here are a couple of pictures of the hatchet.

 

[jfk1110]

Just remembered up, so I can now post pictures!

Here are a couple of pictures of the hatchet.

When the little box comes up after you.pick your image choose full not thumbnail in that little box that appears and your pics will be full size.....You can go back and edit your.others too do the same....