GHF Axe? Any clue?

C

Crazyotter

Joined
Jun 26, 2010
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334
What the title says. I'm wondering if its hand made, but the quality of the finish appears to high. Marked GHF on one side, GHF GHF on the other, GHF on the top, and 31 on the bottom. Looks like a thin wedge pattern, possibly Maine. Thanks.
 
The numbers on the bottom are an oakie thing, so that might narrow things down. Never heard of GHF though, but there were so many friggin oakland companies its no shock. Ive been told the numbers indicate the year of manufacture. Not sure if thats true, but most of mine are 40+ so 31 puts it a ways back there.
 
Could they be stamps of some former owner's initials? I found one (in maine actually) that had about 7 sets of initials on it. At least I assumed so, I suppose some maker could really want to be recognized...
 
Hep, I never did post any. :/

G-pig, I'm pretty sure its not an Oakie, so I'm wondering if its a local smith from way back yonder. Also, though I can't verify half this, here's a list of Oakland companies from another forum.

Axe makers of Oakland, ME:
True • Emerson & Stevens Mfg. Co.
True • American Axe & Tool (plant #16)
True • Spiller Axe & Tool Co.
• New England Axe Co.
• Dunn Edge Tool Co.
• North Wayne Tool Co.
True • King Axe & Tool Co.
• Hubbard & Blake Co.
True • J.H. Witherell
• Damon Bros.
• Maine Axe Co.
• Union Axe Co.
FALSE! BREWER MAINE! • Peavy Mfg. Co.
• Wm. Harvey & Sons
True • Marsh & Sons Co.

Vintage, its definitely not a homebrew cold chisel stamp. Appears to be factory, from when the axe was forged.

Mark, do you mean the turpentine jersey pattern axe?
 
Art Gaffar is the only guy I know who knows a lot about REALLY old Maine axes. You might consider shooting him an email via;

http://maine-lytools.com/maine-lytools/About_Me.html

I think Oakland had more companies thatn we know from further on back in time, and I know there were a heck of a lot of small companies all over maine. Quite something really
 
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