Forest Service axe info needed

G

gearboxjam

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Sep 2, 2015
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image.jpg2_zpsoxi2odoe.jpg.html


Can anyone help me identify this axe

http://s325.photobucket.com/user/gearboxjam/media/image.jpg2_zpsoxi2odoe.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
 
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FSS would indicate government issue I believe, it looks like it has a log stamp welded on the poll as well! Awesome find.
 
Not much there to go from (ie the photo links) but you appear to have a hewing hatchet that has been fitted with an axe handle. It is stamped FSS (Federal Supply Service) and has (what appears to be) a log butt-end striker-type dimple 'US' welded or molded on the poll. If the craftsmanship is superior on this retrofit then it probably had something to do with the supervision of logging industry supply for defense industries sometime between 1917 and 1945. This is entirely an educated guess on my part.
But it would be cool, in this day and age, to be able stamp firewood rounds with an official "U.S." which years ago meant 'property of US federal gov't'.
 
OK, Thanks for the replies
Is it safe to use this axe? I really want to stamp a small log with it for display.......any thoughts?

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Square_peg said:
Awesome branding axe! I love it. I also like all the old Coleman photos on your photobucket page.
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Me too! I still use an old Coleman white gas stove model 421 and one of their old lanterns on camping trips. These things pop up at the side of the road on garbage day or for $5 at garage sales and I managed to accumulate quite a few over the course of 30 years.

By the way as long as the handle is not loose (ie no accidental moving parts!) you can flail away at end-grain wood with this stamp, no problem.
 
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gearboxjam said:
OK, Thanks for the replies
Is it safe to use this axe? I really want to stamp a small log with it for display.......any thoughts?
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So long as it's hung solidly and has no visible cracks it's fine to use. Great collection of USFS stuff there!

Here's a branding axe that I own - needs hanging.

Collins%20branding%20axe-1.jpg

Collins%20branding%20axe-2.jpg



Here's another I played around with out at a local logging operation.

Marking%20axe%201.jpg

Marking%20axe%202.jpg

Marking%20axe%203.jpg
 
I was wondering if they actually heated these up to "brand" and stamp the wood, or if they just simply stamped the wood. Anyone know?
 
SC T100 said:
I was wondering if they actually heated these up to "brand" and stamp the wood, or if they just simply stamped the wood. Anyone know?
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Unlikely they stuck these in the hot coals to make them red hot or else the temper of the blade would be lost. Don't doubt though that a few cowboy movie aficionados did think to try this. Hot brand is done so you don't structurally damage the cow!
 
300Six said:
Unlikely they stuck these in the hot coals to make them red hot or else the temper of the blade would be lost. Don't doubt though that a few cowboy movie aficionados did think to try this. Hot brand is done so you don't structurally damage the cow!
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The temper is what I was thinking of as well...but I was thinking more along the lines of a torch. But I suppose the standard stamp only method works just great as depicted in the photo above!
 
FSS stands for Federal Supply Schedule. The Forest Service requires branding of logs so it can better ensure that federal logs aren't being exported before processing in the U.S. Each timber sale is assigned a unique brand to track where the logs came from.

Later
 
I sent the photo of my axe to the Forest Service museum, They have one also
Here is their reply:


You have a photograph of a Forest Service Marking Axe - Used to blaze and
stamp a "U S" on the tree to designate the tree for cutting. After World
War II paint was used to designate trees for cutting.

It is hard to date these axes -- the marking axes were probably used before
1920 and continued until late 1940s. I have attached photo on a marking
axe in the Museum collection. It has a shorter handle than your axe.


Dave Stack
Executive Director

http://s325.photobucket.com/user/ge...jpg1_zpsg3zvcmok.jpg.html?state=copy&sp=false


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 5:30 AM
To: office@forestservicemuseum.org
Subject: Forest service item

Good day,
I hope you have some knowledge of this axe. It is marked F.S. and
appears to be very old. If you have any insight into the purpose of the U.S
on the head and/or the time period it was used would be much appreciated.
Thank-you,
 
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gearboxjam said:
I sent the photo of my axe to the Forest Service museum, They have one also
Here is their reply:


You have a photograph of a Forest Service Marking Axe - Used to blaze and
stamp a "U S" on the tree to designate the tree for cutting. After World
War II paint was used to designate trees for cutting.

It is hard to date these axes -- the marking axes were probably used before
1920 and continued until late 1940s. I have attached photo on a marking
axe in the Museum collection. It has a shorter handle than your axe.


Dave Stack
Executive Director
. . .
Click to expand...

Don't know how helpful this is, but you may find it interesting. Here is a government official marking a log.
yNioIioatMOeitJjORlScj2RvOycfr573oGPUQ5vqzZI4zGzYwf9urUw9J1Ds-5dzmgBtLEeCn0CFMMQbCyUkbMxcPi0UmIW7QtlN4VJ15SHki-g8KImoTK5yZHTpf3f4noyA2FwneWoE4KIUtElkH9UN5SslSFqoUNTfaAalkaXPHebEupzYBJinc0OiupYNDXAGDGCjjTkQIQRdgoF6EdGSy4SYVdHDTl1ana8U2Jomj7QaFnwYlzg46fsCfSbpf0SdW2QVKKiu0GZT2y1jRLb_MZK6IKm723Ek5iOd2-a8689TVLB2M4HiZ0mzmt_afcJtLs48TwLzoxPYDhhLNdsH7Ls18tI2auBQFaaBeXFIe2rgoJQAFyNNHXValieWUFpXGC8ZaFc00brZx04i6lIeyhYw7X4rBkSbAHP9ctYy-kTiTXRsYoN4-VsHuVgkNpFUPfGVaaP0W9r1jV6ZA_l_nvz19W2xNKNoex_iNRjMn0N0ijZtFfvOKHKEOFhbC0FC-3v1OwIbEEaJg3gkot0MvpbEl47cJ08ZqqPaIg=w643-h476-no


It is from this YouTube video: Lumberjacks & Sawyers: "Felling Forest Giants" circa 1920s Pathe". At about 1:35 he is marking a tree to be cut.

Bob
 
. . .
"Don't know how helpful this is, but you may find it interesting. Here is a government official marking a log.


It is from this YouTube video: Lumberjacks & Sawyers: "Felling Forest Giants" circa 1920s Pathe". At about 1:35 he is marking a tree to be cut.

Bob"


THAT VIDEO IS AMAZING !!
My axe is being used in 1920 :)
THANK YOU for putting that video link in here.....
 
I went on a hike with my father-in-law the other day and on one of the frequent rest breaks (he is about to turn 80) he told me a story of when he was about 6-8 years old and he went with his father to cut some logs for a pole barn and the Forrest ranger went with them and when they would find a tree they wanted the ranger would look it over "like he could see into it's core" then if it was ok he would chip the bark off with the blade side then turn it around and stamp it with the US stamp side. That became your permit to cut and remove that tree. It was so captivating to him that it was what he attributes the start of his pursuit of a career in the Forrest Service that spanned to retirement in the 90s after being the head of range management over several national forests over his career. The story sparked my search for one of the tools as I would love to be able to give him one for his 80th birthday. If you had any interest in selling it I would love to talk to you but if not I understand and appreciate that you had the pictures here. Those have made for great memory sparks for him and discussions.
 
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