Collins 1 3/4

Thomas Linton

Thomas Linton

Joined
Jun 16, 2003
Messages
20,206
Original handle?

Apx age?

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Thomas Linton said:
Original handle? . . .
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If you are looking for a yes/no answer, I would say no. Asking the question implies the history (provenance) of that axe is unknown. So it cannot be said with certainty that it is original. And if someone says it is original, then the burden of proof is on them. Hope this didn't come across on your screen as having a bad tone or anything. It's only meant to express what I believe to be a logical conclusion.


Bob
 
Thomas Linton said:
Apx age?

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Some examples of a similar Collins 1-3/4 stamp with a Collins Axe Homestead label:

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That type of Collins label (and stamping) was used by Mann (as shown on the similar label below, marked Lewistown, PA), which would date it to after the 1966 acquisition of Collins by Mann (assuming it had a similar label).

vintage-Collins-homestead-axe-hatchet-w-label-good-user-_57.jpg
 
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I don't see any reason why that handle would be a replacement because the head is modern and hasn't seen much use or abuse. Sometime in the early 1990s makers started using handles that were turned from 4/4 (1 inch) material rather than the traditional 5/4 or 6/4. These uncomfortable 'flat slab' jobbies persisted until recently (5 years ago?). From what I can see your axe handle is flat-sided at the swell and at the shoulder, which would date the axe as 20 years old +/-.
 
rjdankert said:
If you are looking for a yes/no answer, I would say no. Asking the question implies the history (provenance) of that axe is unknown. So it cannot be said with certainty that it is original. And if someone says it is original, then the burden of proof is on them. Hope this didn't come across on your screen as having a bad tone or anything. It's only meant to express what I believe to be a logical conclusion.


Bob
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I asked. You gave a helpful answer. How could there be a problem? Thank you.

It has less "beard" than I am used to except for Marble's and the very first BSA hand axe, so I was a' wondering.
Seller made no representations whatsoever. Sale by picture.

Does the shape of the handle seem off?

Don't have it yet to examine the wedging.
 
Many of the Mann era Collins axes came with a Collins stamp on the haft. My gut feeling is that you have a replacement handle on that one but there's no way to be certain. The shape of the swell says 'replacement' to me.
 
Original 2" x 7/32" steel wedge Still sealed with the same blue paint that appears on the top of the head, bottom of the head, top of the handle, and cheeks. Shoulders of handle darkened - burned? 16 1/2" overall.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Original 2" x 7/32" steel wedge Still sealed with the same blue paint that appears on the top of the head, bottom of the head, top of the handle, and cheeks. Shoulders of handle darkened - burned? 16 1/2" overall.
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It looks like someone cleaned it up. Light sanding on handle maybe but the top shoulder isn't easy to get to.
 
Thomas Linton said:
They flame-treat the entire handle?
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It was probably just from years of dirt, maybe stuck to old BLO. I’ve seen a lot of dirt come off handles. Be curious to hear your thoughts on this after a couple years of ownership.

I have a similar one that was made in the 80’s - has the Collins stamp and a Homestead label, but no weight stamped. Mine is almost the profile of a boys axe from the side, but thinner in the cross section.
 
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