Help needed from you axe Gurus

P

Pipeman

Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Messages
5,910
I picked up this Smart hatchet this weekend at a gun show I was doing ($5.00))))). The mark is SMART<G> BROCKVILLE. I found lots of info on Smart Here http://www3.sympatico.ca/marcel.gauthier23/Smart-Cie.html
And here http://www.thetoolgroupofcanada.com/images/Canadian_Tool_Manufacturers_1820-1914.pdf
For the second site do an CONTROL F and search Smart for all the Companies involved.
The first sight suggests a connection to the Mann company.
The second tells the history of Smart Manufacturing Co. 1854 to 1912 when it was bought by Canada founderies and forging Ltd who also owned the Welland ontario axe making operations. In 1854 Smart hard 150 employees, in 1911 he had 400 employees.

My questions are, is there a connection to Mann? and second, does anyone know if the Name Smart was used on axes after Canada founderies and forging bought them out in 1912? Also, is there a connection to General steel of Canada who I believe used the <G> in a diamond mark for all their wares? Have any of you seen this mark before?

Hopefully one of your axe smart guys will know more. The hatchet is quite tiny, 5 1/2" head, 3 inch bit, 14 inch Ash handle that could be original. The head is around a pound and quite a bit smaller than a 1 1/4 pound HB I just bought.

Thanks and best regards

Robin

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IMG_3404 by robinstuff, on Flickr
 
There is a mini chapter on Smart in the Axe Makers of North America, good stuff. Ill gather up some info. PS Ill give you $10 for it......
 
1854 - Brockville Novelty Works

Renamed to James Smart Manufacturing Co

1881 - incorporated shareholdes - John M Gill, Robert Gill, John HA Briggs

NExt 30 years obtained other local manufacturers - Smart and Sheppard, Chown and Cunningham, Brockville Wringer Co, John Briggs and Son, Gardiner Tool Co.

1899 - Jas Gardiner named superintendent - held position for next 30 years

1911 - MR Briggs - majority shareholder sold factory to WM WEIR

1912 Weir sold to Canada Foundries and Forgings Ltd

1967 - closed

Lines -

Endurance

Diamond G (famous)

Brockville Canada

Made axes, nail hammers, pumps, furnaces, frying pans, etc etc. Known for highest quality in Canada.

No mention of Mann that I can find.
 
Sorry guess I didnt answer your other question - the Diamond G and Brockville logos were used after Canada Foundries took over - Weir was left as president of the Brockville plant and insisted on it, and only the highest quality.
 
Mann question -

Mann Axe and Tool Co Ltd pulled out of New Brunswick in 1942 due to war shortages in labor and raw materials - interests sold to James Smart Manufacturing Co.
 
Thanks Mike, You're the Man ;-)))
The quest for Canadian axes goes on ;-))

BTW, I AM going to Email you shortly Re: your axe bag, been crazy around here.

Best regards

Robin
 
My smarts that I just received does not have the diamond G on it. It has a set of numbers and letters (can't make them out yet) and Smart's made in Canada. This is not a hatchet though. Feels like about 4 1/2lbs.
 
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