help me I.D. my grandpas axe

olymon

olymon

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Apr 27, 2017
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My grandpa told many stories about going camping after he got home from WWII and carrying this axe with him to put up the tent, split wood and do whatever was needed. I'm not sure on the weight but the handle is about 24" the blade is only about 3" wide but it is heavily dipped in on both side to make a pronounced line down the middle of the blade. Hardly any markings on it besides a dot and a T and what looks like maybe part of a square or a box shaped U.

Thanks in advance for anybody that can shine some light on this. My Granpa and great grandpa loved to make knives, snowshoes, and custom items. This might another modified version of an original axe that they had.


I really like the shape of the handle and the little nub at the end is sometihng i've never seen before.
 
I know nothing about it, but it sure is cool looking! WWII and those markings ... first thing that comes to mind is Japan. Pattern seems American though.
 
Very cool ! Regards to 'Grandad..
That nub is residue of the drive spindle created as that haft was lathe turned.
Normally its cut off flush, or a different type drive spindle is used.
 
That's not yer typical domestic production 'boys-type' axe! Everything about it oozes "one off", including the handle.
 
Yeah, I was guessing it was something that was modified by my grandpa or great grandpa. I never thought about the nub being from a lathe stay. No mark in the end of the nub it is smooth. Looks like there are file marks on the nub. Socket gets real thin by the handle where the sides dip in. only about 1/8th inch. Color on the handle looks the same where some dings are, cherry wood? Head is nice and tight.
 
Here is one that shows how thin the edge is on the "bottom" of the head


the sides look like they have a pretty rough surface. I can picture one of those old aluminum bodied belt sanders clamped upside down in a vise and my grandpa grinding those in by hand.

the top


A better side shot, dinged up by tent stakes I guess
 
The eye on that axe definitely looks like that of an older one with a forge welded bit.
You can see at the front of the eye where it comes together as apposed to an axe that was drop forged.
 
I looked a little more and it sure looks like it was welded because the surface where the front of the eye is looks like two jagged edges coming together in a weld. considering it is probably a modified version of something, I'm just going to clean it up and use it every once and a while when I need a little conversation starter working on trails.
 
Very cool axe, wish I could tell you something about it. I was hoping someone else would come along and have some clue. It reminds me of the original Kelly perfect axes.
 
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