Help with 2 new axes

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Jun 24, 2015
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I got 2 new axes today I have one with a paper label that I can't read the full name on and I'm just wondering if any one knows any info on them.

The other one has a logo that says SAW. I've heard these are a wetterlings or something similar. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks

 
Cool find. European stuff like that is uncommon.
Lets see more of its overall pattern.

S.A.W. is Wetterling axe.
 
Well, Wetterlings is Swedish.

Trumpeter seems to be West German. Is it stamped other than 3 1/2?
 
According to YesteryearsTools, "Trumpeter" is a brand from:

WIEBELHAUS & CO.
MESCHEDE, GERMANY
1911-1986

Wiebelhaus%20Graphic%203-9.jpg

http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears%20Tools/Wiebelhaus%20%26%20Co..html
 
It is stamped on the other side but the writing is so small and so deep in the metal I can't even make out a few letters in it.
 
Thanks Steve I figured you would have some info on it, the logo on the left looks similar but it doesn't have as much writing on it like the one I got. still the same company I'm pretty sure. Thanks for the help
 
It's build and finish look a lot like the Made in W. Germany axes.

German axe marked in #'s and labelled in English. Export?



Interesting to see one similar with a label on it.

Blue German.



Might mean nothing or might be part of the story of who was making them at the time.

Even if unreadable, the Made in West Germany stamps have a pretty distinct look to them.

Any chance of a photo of the other side?
 
My guess is that it says Made in W. Germany.

The label on yours also looks to have the French word "Deposée" as in "Marque Deposée" or "Trademark" and dual language ..."first class tools".



Your label has more writing on it than the one from Yesteryeartools maybe because it was exported to Canada and or US. That might also explain the marking in pounds and being stamped in English while being a German production - local demand wouldn't need them marked like that. My understanding is that Canada used to employ the Imperial measurement system before metrication (70's?). I see you are in Canada.

I can try to create a narrative about post war exports, Western profit jumping, West Germany 1949-1990, Weibelhaus ending in 1986, dropping of the Weibelhaus name/detailed stamp, marking origins in English, stamp becoming less distinct, importing companies picking them up and labeling them, but I can't back it up with anything.

If that is one of the West German heads we find then that may be an older version. They aren't bad axes if you sharpen them. Their eyes are on the large side and quite often weigh more than they are marked.

Everyone loves blue.

*If it says Made in Sweden then I am all wet and it suffers from identity crises. By the way, I like that axe and don't know anything more than you know lol.
 
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I keep the 1.5lb behind the seat in my truck and it has done quite well with small stuff. Fire starting materials, nothing heavy.

The fact that the 1.5lb and the 3.5lb are priced the same kind of says that the market isn't/hasn't been sure what to do with them...
 
Do you guys think I should just pull the label off and hang it? Or should I try and preserve the label. It's a tough one for me because I don't really need to use it but I got a perfect 36 inch handle sitting right here for it.
 
I have 1.5 lb hatchet like the one on e bay that was epoxy filled and the eye is much larger front to back on the top. FWIW
 
Do you guys think I should just pull the label off and hang it? Or should I try and preserve the label. It's a tough one for me because I don't really need to use it but I got a perfect 36 inch handle sitting right here for it.

It's collectible to someone but more than likely you'll pay more for a new quality axe today than you'll achieve by selling that one. If you can get the label off intact then you've got a record of it's provenance, and you'll physically be able to use the head to your heart's content.
 
I have 1.5 lb hatchet like the one on e bay that was epoxy filled and the eye is much larger front to back on the top. FWIW

The Swedes were known to have done this during the 70s-80s when their axe businesses were facing financial ruin and they were doing everything possible to reduce costs.
 
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