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I need help with an ID, a very old possibly forged axe, previously unknown marking

jblyttle

jblyttle

Joined
Sep 3, 2014
Messages
3,741
I picked this up today for a buck, I purchased it based on the pattern alone as it was rusty and no markings were visible. after a quick scrub with steel wool I began to see words. After a vinegar soak and a brush session things are becoming even clearer. It needs more time soaking, but the best I can come up with is:

BLUE (BASKET?)
other words
BOSTON other words






Has anyone seen or heard of this brand or markings before? I have not. I would love to know it's history!
 
Bigelow & Dowse Co.
A big hardware house in Boston.
Company (as named) founded in 1894.

$_57.JPG


$_57.JPG


mSsfsFbEv20KaGI9NdX3LXA.jpg
 
Description of Axe Brands (from catalog page in photo in previous post):

AROOSTOCK
Highest grade of steel, hand forged and hand tempered. Special black finish...

BLUE JACKET
Highest grade of soft and crucible steel. Eyes punched from solid metal, which prevents stretching or splitting. Each axe carefully inspected. Silver bronzed finish.

SHAWMUT
Highest grade of soft and crucible steel. Eyes punched from solid metal. Gold bronzed finish.

FRANKLIN
Medium quality crucible steel, gold bronzed finish, a good low priced axe.

RUSSELL
Medium quality crucible steel, gold bronzed finished. Furnished handled only.


Company history:
http://books.google.com/books?id=ypVQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA111#v=onepage&q&f=false
 
Big hardware houses rarely made their own axes. They typically bought from one of the big makers and applied their own labels. And coincidentally, that warranty break image is straight out of the Warren catalog. Makes me wonder...........
 
Thank you very much Steve Tall. Maybe I could have tracked that down if I knew the correct company name, but without prior knowledge I would never have deciphered the name. Thanks again, that is great info. I live in the Boston area so it's even a bit cooler.

I wonder what it is worth to a collector. On one hand it must be very uncommon, but on the other there will only be a select few looking for something like this. I could see it selling for a high amount if just the right buyer came along, but just as likely it sits and gets grabbed on ebay for $10 because no one knows that it may be anything special.

Thanks again. Maybe it gets polished and hung on the wall.
 
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