Charleston toolworks

[lmalterna]

Looking for information- axe is marked on right side at poll:
CHARLESTON TOOLWORKS
CHARLESTON,W.VA
---MADE IN USA----

An Ebay grab that is rough shape- I thought maybe this was an outfit predating Kelly Axe Works move to Charleston but not so sure this one is that old? Maybe made by Kelly for a Distributor?
You can imagine the hits I get when searching.....
I will try to get decent pics in the next couple of days.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[300Six]

If this really is a potential 'prize' then all you've done is publically alert similar-minded folks to the on-line auction. Don't worry about me; I gave up buying vintage/collector axes of any kind 5 years ago.

 

[lmalterna]

300,
It was already in my basement before I posted. I do not post ongoing auctions, not sure but I think that is a violation anyway? I will get some pics hoepfully tomorrow that might help with ID.

Bill

 

[300Six]

300,
It was already in my basement before I posted. I do not post ongoing auctions, not sure but I think that is a violation anyway? I will get some pics hoepfully tomorrow that might help with ID.
Bill

Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I think it's a nice gesture to alert folks on here of what is out there, but not particularly useful if you also happened to want it.

 

[Steve Tall]

My guess is that they're made by Kelly, since there seems to be no information out there about an axe-making company called "Charleston Tool Works" (or "Charleston Toolworks"). Maybe it's what they stamped their "second quality" axes at some point in their history?

SECOND QUALITY MARKINGS
"Like many axe manufacturers, Plumb marked certain goods with labels that were sold to the retailers as “second” quality and even "third" quality. Some of the labels associated as “second” and "third" quality were offered by some hardware concerns as independent manufacturers thereby permitting retailers the option to sell them at a slightly more competitive price. In reality the "Companies" shown were brands treated as subsidiaries."

quoted from Yesteryearstools.com

According to Yesteryearstools, Plumb's second quality brands were:
- Magic City Mfg. Co., Philadelphia
- Old Forge Mfg. Co., Philadelphia
- Quaker City Mfg. Co., Philadelphia
- Vulcan Tool Co., Philadelphia

 

[lmalterna]

Steve,
If you drew a blank I can hang it up!! Thank you for looking- you turn up excellent results for folks and it is appreciated. When I first saw it I though maybe the factory that Kelly ended up in but the "Made in USA" Did not figure.
Angle of photos let me fool myself on the excessive wear at toe so this one will likely be a wall hanger and conversation piece.


300,
I like to share them AFTER they are mine to prevent competitiion, there is quite enough of that already. Though deals can still be had.

Bill

 

[lmalterna]

Now with pics. This is a boys axe sized head with way over sharpened toe as the tile shows. Kind of handy little axe that has likely split quite a lot of kindling. Looks to be hun on an old handle dropped well below the should and cut off at 26" with no sweel. Not sure what I will do with handle. May clean up the shroom and rest of head, rehang on another old handle and hang it with the rest Paid too much but at least it is mine
Bill

 

[Square_peg]

Gotta be a Kelly. Likely a second as Steve suggested.

 

[JKWidener]

If these were Kelly seconds, then did Kelly make hammers also?

 

[Agent_H]

If these were Kelly seconds, then did Kelly make hammers also?

I've not seen a Kelly hammer (personally) with the older markings such as in the above post but True Temper made a Kelly Perfect hammer at one point:

I'm not entirely sure that was what you were asking though.

 

[JKWidener]

Definitely not a True Temper, here is a photo

 

[JKWidener]

I contacted the WV state archives library and this is the question I asked. "I have recently acquired a hammer for my collection that is stamped "Charleston Tool Works" then below that is "Charleston WV" I believe this company might have been a name owned by Kelly, but not certain. Do you have any information on a Charleston Tool Works?"
And this is what I received.
"Kelly Axe is the only manufacturer in Charleston of those tools of which I am aware. I asked another staff person, and neither of us are familiar with "Charleston Tool Works." Trying a search in an online database of the local paper didn't turn up anything either."

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

If these were Kelly seconds, then did Kelly make hammers also?

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kelly-vanadium-straight-claw-hammer-1846449852

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kelly-axe-tool-company-charleston-va-429801749

I contacted the WV state archives library and this is the question I asked. "I have recently acquired a hammer for my collection that is stamped "Charleston Tool Works" then below that is "Charleston WV" I believe this company might have been a name owned by Kelly, but not certain. Do you have any information on a Charleston Tool Works?"
And this is what I received.
"Kelly Axe is the only manufacturer in Charleston of those tools of which I am aware. I asked another staff person, and neither of us are familiar with "Charleston Tool Works." Trying a search in an online database of the local paper didn't turn up anything either."

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-charleston-tool-works-axe-1834234133

 

[garry3]

Definitely not a True Temper, here is a photo

Nice hammer!
Hand Made was a common Kelly True Temper label.
https://archive.org/stream/TrueTemp...per Tools Catalog 1-R 1938#page/n171/mode/2up

 

[JKWidener]

Thank You very much.. I am a believe that it is a Kelly mfg product. But the hammer in question is a very early hammer and is why I was questioning it. Your photos prove that Kelly did make hammers. I was hoping that someone might have a Charleston Tool Works catalogue.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kelly-vanadium-straight-claw-hammer-1846449852

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kelly-axe-tool-company-charleston-va-429801749

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-charleston-tool-works-axe-1834234133