Civilian Conservation Corps: New Find!

[The Government]

Memorial Day Weekend has always been known around my community as the kick-off to the summer garage sale season. Among other finds, was a nice True Temper used for the Civilian Conservation Corps. A great piece of history, and my first of this kind.

The head is stamped, "TRUE TEMPER /// KELLY WORKS" on one side, and " VULCAN /// HAND MADE /// AXE /// (with the image of a blacksmith hammering over an anvil)" on the other. There is also another stamp that was probably added after the axe was purchased that I can't quite make out. As best as I can tell, it is "ODF," but the letters are not clear enough to tell for sure. I would assume ODF could be "Oregon Department of Forestry."

The handle is stamped "CCC" on one side and "USFS" on the other.

I really wanted to share this piece of history with everyone, and I am also very curious on the steps that I should take to conserve this axe. It has what looks like the beginnings of pitting and surface rust. If this had no historic significance, I would have no problem removing the rust via electrolytic rust removal, however I do not want to ruin either the handle (there are two medium sized metal wedges holding it on) or the remaining flecks of red paint on the head. All I have done so far is wipe the head with WD-40. From a historic wall hanger perspective, how should this be taken care of?

Sorry these aren't the best pics...

Thanks for looking!:thumbup:

 

[Square_peg]

I love finding the old CCC tools or the WPA tools. Nice piece of history.

 

[A Visitor]

Nice find. I got a WPA rock hammer in a bucket of rusty tools for a couple of bucks once. I didn't see the light stamp until I was about to cut the handle off. Somehow cant bring myself to re handle it. I kind of like shaking the hand that built the country up- in a way. Big mojo the way it is, I would leave it alone after a clean up and sharpen of course. Unless it is unsafe, then I would try to make it so without changing anything - ie add a wedge or period correct repair.

 

[bobs1415]

Very nice.

 

[The Government]

Thanks for all the replies!

PS- I forgot to mention it specifically, but anyone with other CCC tools please feel free to post pictures! I would love to see them!

 

[garry3]

Very nice axe. Museums would know the best way to preserve that axe with out removing any material. Like the paint ect.

I know I have some CCC tools. Just can't remember what ones. I will post them when I remember. I for sure have a CCC spoon. Them boys worked in some remote country at times.
One sight comes to mind, I have always known it as twin bridges. It's very near were two creeks run together. They made it as far as building the one bridge across the first creek, that's were the road ends. I will probably never know why it is called twin bridges with just one bridge. Maybe just a back hand to the CCC?

 

[jaymack9100]

Very cool piece of history!

 

[bbforstr]

That's a very nice old Vulcan. 20 years ago, I worked with a couple old CCC blister rust crew bosses. They were some tough old birds. Life was hard in those camps. If you didn't work your tail off, you were fired on the spot, find your own way home. They kept the blister rust mind set until the day they retired. I used to get a kick out of some of the arguments they got into.

One recurring argument was whether you could grow more trees on a flat acre of ground or on a steep acre. I always believed you could grow more trees on the steep acre. They would argue about this for hours. The argument would be revisited at least once a week. I think they still have annual blister rust camp get togethers in Clarkia Idaho, but those guys are getting pretty well along in years now.

 

[Square_peg]

PS- I forgot to mention it specifically, but anyone with other CCC tools please feel free to post pictures! I would love to see them!

I had a 1938 Sager Chemical Axe, Puget Sound falling pattern, with a CCC stamp. I traded it to a fellow forum member. But I still have a few pics on my computer. It's the one on the right.