Info on this NE Old Yank

[traditionalist]

Grabbed this for $1 at a flea market sunday, coated in a thick layer of black paint. It says ne old yank, it's a 3 and a half pound head. There's a 56 stamped on the bottom of the pole. This head looks to have a inserted bit, and I believe it may have been made by Emerson & Stevens. It's got the characteristics of a main made axe. The eye is alot larger than a standard axe, so I'll have to make a handle for this guy. For $1 I don't think I went wrong.

What's cool is the makers mark is double stamped if you look.

 

[DarthTaco123]

I seem to recall this being made by a Maine maker. Can't remember who

 

[Steve Tall]

From an old auction listing, the bottom-right label says

OLD YANK
HAMMERED
AXE
ALL HAMMERED
NOT
DROP FORGED
NEW ENGLAND HANDLES
THOMPSON, CONN.

I've seen speculation (on the forums) that Emerson & Stevens was contracted to make these axes.

 

[Steve Tall]

An old reference to a "New England Axe Co." in Lock Haven, PA (near the Mann family of axe makers). Looks like they are registering the trademark "Forester" for axes.

Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 27, Issues 6-13, U.S. Patent Office., 1884

 

[Steve Tall]

...The eye is alot larger than a standard axe, so I'll have to make a handle for this guy...

The eye might be wider than normal because it deformed when the poll was used as a hammer.

 

[traditionalist]

The eye might be wider than normal because it deformed when the poll was used as a hammer.

I'm thinking that's the cause.

 

[jblyttle]

I've had 2-3 of those. I seem to remember that E&S made them. I'd be very interested if you ever consider selling it.