Found metal detecting

[maspenock]

https://imgur.com/EUyJFHN trying to identify this axe head I dug up metal detecting hope that someone here can help. Found near an old foundation near a lake in mass.

 

[phantomknives]

https://imgur.com/EUyJFHN trying to identify this axe head I dug up metal detecting hope that someone here can help. Found near an old foundation near a lake in mass.

You should probably be asking a museum more than us, the thing is ancient

 

[Square_peg]

I don't think you'll ever identify the maker of that axe. But I agree with Phantom that's it's likely very old. I would expect it to be made with a wrought iron body with a forge welded bit and poll. Dating the foundation might give you an idea of the age of the axe.

 

[jake pogg]

Square_peg is probably right,though the patter of corrosion is an odd one.Normally,the higher-carbon bit would have a tendency to erode more that the lower-C/silica layered wrought.But conditions in different soils do vary very greatly.

Judging by it's general appearance my intuitive take would be that it's actually not that old.It looks regular enough to be a product of a factory-ish manufactury vs some small rural forge.

Very likely an import from Germany or France or some other part of Western Europe,in appearance a bench axe of some variety(maybe even single-bevel?).
(poll and cheeks are very Kent-pattern-loike
(all of the above Strictly subjective).

 

[jake pogg]

P.S.

In posts of a "help identify" nature it Really helps to have a view of the eye-shape

 

[maspenock]

Thanks for the replies here is the eye shape https://imgur.com/nlSPpXe
it is 7 1/2 inches long and weighs 2 lb 10 oz

 

[maspenock]

Square_peg is probably right,though the patter of corrosion is an odd one.Normally,the higher-carbon bit would have a tendency to erode more that the lower-C/silica layered wrought.But conditions in different soils do vary very greatly.

Judging by it's general appearance my intuitive take would be that it's actually not that old.It looks regular enough to be a product of a factory-ish manufactury vs some small rural forge.

Very likely an import from Germany or France or some other part of Western Europe,in appearance a bench axe of some variety(maybe even single-bevel?).
(poll and cheeks are very Kent-pattern-loike
(all of the above Strictly subjective).

Thanks I am glad I posted

 

[jake pogg]

Thank you for the eye-view.
Yes,the eye would be consistent with most Kentish types.
But even if that is it's roots(or rather especially if so),then i'm more than likely wrong about it being a probable import.
Kent-pattern has flourished in the US right from the very beginning,many American manufacturers produced many a different axe with that type of eye/cheeks/poll.

 

[Square_peg]

Not a continental eye. More likely early American or maybe British. I'd bet American. And I agree with Jake about it being a factory axe. I'd guess 1850 - 1900 +/-

 

[garry3]

Square_peg is probably right,though the patter of corrosion is an odd one.Normally,the higher-carbon bit would have a tendency to erode more that the lower-C/silica layered wrought.But conditions in different soils do vary very greatly.

Judging by it's general appearance my intuitive take would be that it's actually not that old.It looks regular enough to be a product of a factory-ish manufactury vs some small rural forge.

Very likely an import from Germany or France or some other part of Western Europe,in appearance a bench axe of some variety(maybe even single-bevel?).
(poll and cheeks are very Kent-pattern-loike
(all of the above Strictly subjective).

Or it's not wrought....

 

[maspenock]

Thank you for the eye-view.
Yes,the eye would be consistent with most Kentish types.
But even if that is it's roots(or rather especially if so),then i'm more than likely wrong about it being a probable import.
Kent-pattern has flourished in the US right from the very beginning,many American manufacturers produced many a different axe with that type of eye/cheeks/poll.

Do you think I should try to clean it up, it would be a coll project to try to restore it?

 

[phantomknives]

Do you think I should try to clean it up, it would be a coll project to try to restore it?

if you're feeling dangerous, maybe a brass brush but it's pretty much a wall hanger at this point

 

[maspenock]

if you're feeling dangerous, maybe a brass brush but it's pretty much a wall hanger at this point

I thought as much..thanks

 

[maspenock]

https://imgur.com/tz4BMVF I have cleaned it with a brush and applied wd-40 and it really is nice.I think I am going to mount it on a plaque somehow on my fireplace. Can any of you experts tell me if this wavy line in the eye is from folding at forge or a crack, it coincides with the line that runs down the cheek on the more deteriorated side.

 

[Square_peg]

It looks like a forge weld that is opening up. This can be caused by rotten soaked wood in the eye freezing and expanding.

 

[maspenock]

It looks like a forge weld that is opening up. This can be caused by rotten soaked wood in the eye freezing and expanding.

Thanks..
I just found another ax head about 2 feet from where I found the other one, this one is a different shape head, I will post some pics when i get it cleaned up but it also has the same line down the cheek. This one is in better shape than the first one. I am not sure what I have stumbled upon here.

 

[maspenock]

2nd axe head found a few feet from first one.
eye https://imgur.com/EYOZ1oz
face https://imgur.com/XHG6nSj

 

[phantomknives]

2nd axe head found a few feet from first one.
eye https://imgur.com/EYOZ1oz
face https://imgur.com/XHG6nSj

that one's definitelly modern, probably a dayton or ohio

 

[The Zieg]

 

[The Zieg]

https://imgur.com/EUyJFHN trying to identify this axe head I dug up metal detecting hope that someone here can help. Found near an old foundation near a lake in mass.

Where was the find?

Zieg