Help ID this axe head

Bricago · Sep 10, 2015

I picked up a 14" Craftsman axe today at a thrift shop. The handle is stamped "4857-14" Scout or Hunters." The head wasn't fitted well to the handle, so I'm not sure it's original. There's a faded engraved or stamped mark visible in photo 3. Thanks for any help ID'ing it.

DarthTaco123 · Sep 10, 2015

Looks like someone tried to take the mark off almost. Put a small piece of paper towel over the stamp and soak the towel in vinegar, should etch a bit more of the stamp out.

Axe Master '94 · Sep 12, 2015

I recognize that as the "Our Very Best" brand OVB shield, but I've been wrong before [emoji6]

Steve Tall · Sep 12, 2015

Axe Master '94 said:
I recognize that as the "Our Very Best" brand OVB shield, but I've been wrong before [emoji6]

I think you nailed it. The ST is visible (upside down) at the left.

Another one with some similarities:

Bricago · Sep 13, 2015

Thank you, Axe Master and Steve! Just curious about the notches in the blade. I'm assuming they're for pulling nails. Are there often two like this?

300Six · Sep 13, 2015

The slot along the blade edge is not original. Somebody added that. I was a shingle roofer for many years and can appreciate that a roofing nail slot at the blade would be a lot more useful for getting under shingles and loosening nails than the factory slot along the side. I used an Estwing flat bar for this purpose but I can see this sort of set up working OK.

Bricago · Sep 14, 2015

300Six said:
The slot along the blade edge is not original. Somebody added that. I was a shingle roofer for many years and can appreciate that a roofing nail slot at the blade would be a lot more useful for getting under shingles and loosening nails than the factory slot along the side. I used an Estwing flat bar for this purpose but I can see this sort of set up working OK.

Thank you for the reply.

gben · Sep 15, 2015

In the old HSB catalog that is available in pdf form online these are listed as "barrel or produce hatchets". I would guess they were supposed to be used at a market by those stocking it to open barrels and crates that food came in.

At some point someone bought a new handle for yours at Sears.

Hacked · Sep 15, 2015

I could be wrong but I thought these were what was known as barrel hatchets. I never understood the notch on the blade. I would be curious to know how it was used as well.

jblyttle · Sep 16, 2015

Axe Master '94 said:
I recognize that as the "Our Very Best" brand OVB shield, but I've been wrong before [emoji6]

Exactly right.

jblyttle · Sep 16, 2015

300Six said:
The slot along the blade edge is not original. Somebody added that. I was a shingle roofer for many years and can appreciate that a roofing nail slot at the blade would be a lot more useful for getting under shingles and loosening nails than the factory slot along the side. I used an Estwing flat bar for this purpose but I can see this sort of set up working OK.

This isn't correct. It is a cooper's hatchet. I don't know what the purpose of the slot on the blade is, but I have seen several before and it is part of the intended design.