I bought my first axe today!

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
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So this morning as my wife is leaving for work, she managed to wake our 21 month old son. It was 6:30am! Well I didn't feel like chasing him all over the house that early so I loaded him and the stroller into the car and headed for the flea market. We make a couple of laps, I have axes and hatchets in mind for this trip, so I take mental notes of who has what at what price then go back after that and make my purchases. One hombre had about a half dozen Eastwing leather handled hatchets at $80 each! No thanx, I did buy a nice Plumb 16oz ball peen from him though.

Found lots of roofers hatchets, and a few unmarked regular hatchets. Well on my way out I spotted this axe head. It is stamped US on one side and US4LBS on the other along with some strange symbols. It seemed to be in decent shape, the poll wasn't all mashed up and neither was the eye. It has been sharpened quite a bit as the edge it very thick, still it is salvagable. No handle, and he was asking $10, I got him down to $6 so I bought it.

I don't know if it is anything decent, but I have some plans to spruce it up. What style and length handle should I put on an axe this size?

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Is this anything anyone recognizes? Any help would be appreciated.


-Xander
 
Those symbols look real familiar for some reason...Id suggest taking those pics and posting them on www.iforgeiron.com .Several of those guys have studied manufacturers symbols and can probably give you a good heads up..
 
Well guys, I did a bit of searching yesterday about this axe. I checked out the link that Robin posted,Yesteryeartools.com, and spent a couple hours there. I didn't get all the way through the site, but still didn't find what I was looking for. I sent an email to them with pictures of my axe head and stampings. This is what I received back...

Xander:
The axe was made by the Woodings-Verona Tool Works in Verona, Pennsylvania. They made a wide variety of striking tools including axes, Pulaski Tools, picks, railroad tools and similar forged tools. Many were for the various US departments such as the Forest Service and the military. The company appears to have closed down in the early 2000s. The 4 represents the weight of the head. The symbol was the company logo.

Cheers,
Tom


I have replied asking if he believes this axe may have been military, but I don't think it has much collector value as it looks fairly recent. Lots of paint still on it, lots of rust but no pitting and it looks like bits of some synthetic material (rubber like) in the eye possibly.

I would still appreciate if anyone knows if this axe is military issue, and your opinion on wheather or not I should spruce it up.


-Xander
 
Xander
I imagine that whoever used it (forest service/military) were the ones to paint the head to protect it from the elements. The head looks to be in great condition. I think you could just use paint remover on it then give it a soak in vinegar (after washing the remover off)))). I wouldn't grind the face or polish it.

Best regards

Robin
 
Sorry for being late to the party. They made some great tools - and while not being that old as in comparison to say early Collins or Kelly, they do represent a part of the industry that to me is unique. I love those tools, usually always built well and ready to stand the test of time. Great find.
 
Hi fast14riot,

The axe you have pictured here is a Dayton pattern axe and yes it was made by Woodings Verona Tool Works. Depending on the date code it may have been forged in the plant that was formerly in Oakmont Pa. If it have a newer date code it would have been made in the Falls City plant which is still operating but under Ames True Temper. This style of axe was and still is used by the U.S. Military. Most likely it is a Military version because of the "US" stamp in it. This was a requirement of the U.S. Army TACOM specification which these were manifactured to.
 
Th remnants of the dark green (OD green) paint on the head may also indicate that it was military issue. But one can't go by that alone. Coupled with the U.S. stamp may make it a safe bet.

If it weighs out to 4 lbs. or is approximately 7" long with a 4" to 5" or so bit I would consider a 30" to 36" haft for it. Curved fawnsfoot, or a straight one would be up to your personal preference.

Nice find.
 
Looks like a Woodings-Verona. I have one with the tree stamp on one side and US97 on the other. My guess is that 97 is the date of manufacture as it is not an old axe. Hard steel though.
 
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