identifying an axe head pattern

[Curt Hal]

I am restoring an Iltis axe head. I have heard them referred to as ox head. Is that the name of this particular head shape. Is it similar to a Hoosier? This one is from West Germany and from the width of the cheeks appears to be a felling axe, although the seller advertised it as a splitter. It is 2 lb 6 oz. It is the one on the right.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I am restoring an Iltis axe head. I have heard them referred to as ox head. Is that the name of this particular head shape. Is it similar to a Hoosier? This one is from West Germany and from the width of the cheeks appears to be a felling axe, although the seller advertised it as a splitter. It is 2 lb 6 oz. It is the one on the right.

I believe they were called iltis ox head brand, and ox head is definitely not the pattern.
generally foreign axes don't fall under American axe patterns, so I don't know if there's a way to place it's pattern.

 

[Lieblad]

"Iltis" is a product line under the manufacturer OxHead.

Btw, thats just a common all purpose German axe pattern.

 

[Moonw]

Look up "Ochsenkopf", their name in German.

 

[Curt Hal]

Makes sense. I guess it just resembles a Hoosier pattern. This one "rings" like a bell every time I touch it.

 

[Agent_H]

I like the looks of them. You have or are acquiring the smaller one? That seems like it would be in the boy's axe range weight wise.

Assuming you already have it, is the eye quite a bit larger than a standard boy's axe?

 

[300Six]

Not sure about the designation of 'Iltis' axe. Iltis is a German name for ferret or polecat (types of weasels). Makes me wonder about the former Canadian Armed Forces VW-engined/Bombardier-made Iltis Jeeps. Both of the pictured heads are stamped Iltis; one on the left is Austrian and one on the right is W. German with the Ox head stamp. The current Ochsenkopf (Ox head!) listing for profile to the left is 'European model' and head on right as 'Chainsaw' model. I think you're pretty safe to call yours Oxhead 'European' pattern.

 

[Curt Hal]

I like the looks of them. You have or are acquiring the smaller one? That seems like it would be in the boy's axe range weight wise.

Assuming you already have it, is the eye quite a bit larger than a standard boy's axe?

It is in the boy's axe range at 2lb and 6 oz. the eye measures 2 7/16 by 3/4 at the top..

 

[jake pogg]

It Does look like a rather generic German splitting-axe,similar to this:https://www.adler-werkzeug.de/produkte/forstwerkzeuge/sicherheitsäxte/


In Germany,the "pattern" of an axe(called "form"),is usually named after a given region,such as a Rheinische Axt(or Beil,a hand-axe,or a hatchet),Berliner Axt,Bayerische Axt,the iconic Harzer Form,and so on....