Collins boys axe

R

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Jul 5, 2015
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Hello. Hoping someone can help me out. I'm trying to figure out how old a boys axe is. Just picked it up for $10. It's stamped ...COLLINS
MADE IN USA
 
Collins has been out there for quite awhile so photos would certainly help. Plus check out the yesteryeartools internet site for starters.
 
300Six said:
Collins has been out there for quite awhile so photos would certainly help. Plus check out the yesteryeartools internet site for starters.
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Can that really help anyone ? Not trying to be rude, but from what I can tell it seems as though they just cover the paper labels. Why would they even bother with paper labels when it's what's permanently stamped into the Steel that matters. ( tried to find some info about Collins homestead axes and all that was written about were the damn paper labels )
Am I missing something on their sight or are the paper labels really all they care about ?
 
A picture would help. Older Collins were more convexed and had a higher polish. Newer had flatter cheeks and showed more grinding marks on the top, bottom and poll. This is generally true of most axe makers.
 
You probably noticed Collins was in business from 1826 to 1966 until it was bought out by Mann in Lewistown Penn until 2003 at which time 'made in USA' had to disappear because manufacture went to Mexico. Typically it requires considerable digging to confidently age an axe. What you do know now is that Collins Homestead brand was a phenomenon from the early 1900s until about 1966. I know very little about Collins but detailed photos often reveal things that enable other folks to compare or comment. Seems to me there have been many posts on here regarding Homestead axes and some of these have been NOS pieces.
 
300Six said:
You probably noticed Collins was in business from 1826 to 1966 until it was bought out by Mann in Lewistown Penn until 2003 at which time 'made in USA' had to disappear because manufacture went to Mexico. Typically it requires considerable digging to confidently age an axe. What you do know now is that Collins Homestead brand was a phenomenon from the early 1900s until about 1966. I know very little about Collins but detailed photos often reveal things that enable other folks to compare or comment. Seems to me there have been many posts on here regarding Homestead axes and some of these have been NOS pieces.
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I know that but there's gotta be a way to narrow down specific stamps .

I wish that yesteryear tools could've gotten more info about the " truly Collins " homestead stamps instead vs paper labels . ( Mann produced homestead axes are fairly common with paint and labels intact )
Info like when they were stamped Collins homestead vs homestead USA vs simply simply homestead. If I ever have another axe to try and date or identify I'm sure they've got some great info to share, just not anything helpful about Collins ( unless you're axe in nos )
 
The fellow that has voluntarily devoted a lifetime into gathering information and preparing the yesteryearstools site deserves a lot of credit. If he's still alive and active I'm sure he would be very appreciative of verifiable information updates and photos. Not long ago this forum wound up delving into possible 100 year old Collins counterfeits when various members found and posted pictures of their particular Collins "Legitimus" brand Hudson Bays which had all manner of points on the crowns and some that were Collin's and not Collins. There is an awful lot of information out there that isn't, and never was, recorded.
Paper labels and catalogues are often the only maker's record left that can be chronicled (namely 'dated') about defunct companies.
 
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halfaxe said:
A picture would help. Older Collins were more convexed and had a higher polish. Newer had flatter cheeks and showed more grinding marks on the top, bottom and poll. This is generally true of most axe makers.
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Here are the only Collins's that I have come across a boys at 1lb 15.3 oz the 3 1/2lb thats 3lb 2.7oz and not so much grinding. This for reference only.





 
300Six said:
The fellow that has voluntarily devoted a lifetime into gathering information and preparing the yesteryearstools site deserves a lot of credit. If he's still alive and active I'm sure he would be very appreciative of verifiable information updates and photos. Not long ago this forum wound up delving into possible 100 year old Collins counterfeits when various members found and posted pictures of their particular Collins "Legitimus" brand Hudson Bays which had all manner of points on the crowns and some that were Collin and not Collins. There is an awful lot of information out there that isn't, and never was, recorded.
Paper labels and catalogues are often the only maker's record left that can be chronicled (namely 'dated') about defunct companies.
Click to expand...

That certainly makes a lot of sense ( I remember the thread too ) and I do appreciate the hard work that goes into a site like that. I just wish someone would update it , and at least mention how the Mann produced Collins had flat cheeks and if your homestead axes blue paint and has convex cheeks it's pre 1966.
Anyway I'm sorry I sort of derailed this thread, I just wanted to mention that there's not much dating info on Collins other than the labels and easily distinguishing modern and man made axes from the originals.
 
If this helps ( adding to rickoff's examples ) here's my homestead which is pre Mann ( so pre 1966) which if the grinding marks means anything would make this an example of probably a later production pre mann Collins axe

( though it does seem fairly thin compared to others )
 
Not sure about the complete history of the Homesteads but around here that was their basic hardware store brand of axe during the 70's. I'm sitting here with a blue Homestead hatchet I bought in 1972 at "Ernest's" a hardware store chain now gone. I also have a standard 3.5 pound axe bought in the late 70's. Paper labels and stamped Collins. Logging supply shops sold a black head with a metallic gold paper label Collins axe in those days as their professional grade tool.
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
Not sure about the complete history of the Homesteads but around here that was their basic hardware store brand of axe during the 70's. I'm sitting here with a blue Homestead hatchet I bought in 1972 at "Ernest's" a hardware store chain now gone. I also have a standard 3.5 pound axe bought in the late 70's. Paper labels and stamped Collins. Logging supply shops sold a black head with a metallic gold paper label Collins axe in those days as their professional grade tool.
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Those were made by Mann ( plenty of info about those as a lot of people who owned them are alive to talk about them, but it's the old ones that all we know is when they started making them.
 
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