Collins Legitimus

[LawnFlamingo]

I found this while cleaning out an old shed. What was left of the handle was so rotten it just fell out and disintegrated.
I soaked it in vinegar for a few days and hit it with a wire wheel real quick.

I was planing on hanging it and using it. Should I do anything else to it? Sand it? Paint it? Or just sharpen it put some oil on it.

This is the first "vintage" axe I've come accross, so I'm trying to get a crash course in them.

If any one can tell me about it, that would be great as well.
From the bit of looking I've done, it appears to be a Michigan style, likely made pre WW II?

Thanks for any info.

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[Square_peg]

Legitimus is a top shelf axe. That one shows some significant wear on the toe. The toe is shorter than the heal and the bit is excessively rounded.

I would shorten the center of the bit by 1/2" and make the heel even with or slightly shorter than the toe. Then thin the bit and shape it to the Forest Service gauge and hone it super fine. Then you'd have a helluva nice axe.

Oh, and the poll. Hammer it, file it, then hammer it again to conceal the file marks. That one ain't bad and will clean up nice.

 

[300Six]

And by gosh the legitimus crown has the requisite 4 points and not 5, 6 or 7 that are often attributed to counterfeits.