Mill hall Mann axe

S

Section10

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Jun 8, 2010
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Today I found a 3 pound double bit Mann Edge Tool Co., Mill Hall. I tried to look it up on line but information is spotty and I couldn't really get a good understanding of how old this might be. Could anyone help with some dates? I'm wondering when this factory was in operation.
I also found a metal handled Bur Nor hatchet with a nail claw for a poll. Never heard of this one.
Thank you
Jim
 
Appears that the date of manufacture would be somewhere between 1879-1926.

In case you haven't seen this yet, #7 and #14 mention Mill Hall, with some complicated history at the top of the list:
http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id1.html


From another source, SunGazette.com, "Mill Hall Part 1: Ax capital of world recalled", November 15, 2009, By David Kagan:

"...After Robert Mann settled in Mill Hall in 1848, he, along with Saul McCormick, who died in 1857, developed a single-bit ax factory that became the community's leading industry. Because of increased demand during the Civil War, the factory was enlarged. The business was destroyed by fire on Sept. 11, 1877, but R. Mann and Sons rebuilt by April 1878. In 1879, another building was added for the manufacture of double-bit axes."

"From a business that had started in 1849 producing just 20 axes per day, by 1892 single-bit axes were pouring out at a rate of up to 800 per day, with 75 workers at that "upper" factory. The "lower" factory building had 65 employees producing up to 400 double-bit axes a day. Remaining in business until 1926, R. Mann and Sons eventually reached a peak annual production of 840,000 double-bit axes, becoming the world's largest supplier."

http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/535344.html?nav=5014


The Bur Nor sounds like it belonged to the Burlington Northern Railroad.
 
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More about the Bur Nor:

A description from WorthPoint, no photo available, might be similar:
"Offering this terrific, early railroad inspector's tool. This hatchet was used by them to open and inspect crates that were to be loaded on boxcars. It has a single bit edge with a hammer/nail puller on the other side. As seen,the metal handle is hollow with a split seam running longitudinally up one side. This was apparently to allow for a pre-fitted pole to be inserted which would enable the user to greatly increase his reach and leverage(said pole is not available). The seam expands slighty to allow the pole and then will clamp down tightly around it. This axe is in excellent moderately used shape. The 3-5/8" edge appears unsharpened and shows only a few light dings. The hammer/nailpuller likewise show only a few light strikes. The hatchet head sits perfectly and very firmly in the handle. No wobble. The handle is in excellent shape with only a small splash of paint on the surface. Not distracting. Near the handles end it is stamped "BUR-NOR"(Burlington Northern?" inside a bow shaped cartouche. "BUR-NOR" is stamped on the axe head(see photo) plus "Made in the U.S.A." then stamped below that "G.N.R.Y."(Great Northern Railway). This piece is 12.5" high. Entire axe head measures 5.5" in length. This is a wonderful railroad collectable. or for those who like unusual hatchets/axes. "
--from http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-great-northern-railroad-crate-hatchet-axe
 
Section10 said:
. . .
I also found a metal handled Bur Nor hatchet with a nail claw for a poll. Never heard of this one.
Thank you
Jim
Click to expand...


ebm8tnc.jpg

https://books.google.com/books?id=Xps7AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA583&lpg=PA583&dq=BUR-+NOR+axe&source=bl&ots=Gf81eykdRK&sig=rM7-f11HwDM3vRftuRwUEupKA7E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjd6O62w_rSAhUL6IMKHSypCkMQ6AEIVjAM#v=onepage&q=BUR- NOR axe&f=false


claw version:

s-l200.jpg




Bob
 
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