Need Help On Figuring Out Age of Vintage Axe

[YoungCollector27]

Today I bought a Kelly-How-Thompson Co. Hickory hatchet for $20. I know not the best deal. But I bought it because of the stamp and I think it looks pretty good. One thing I noticed is the stamping of the Hickory logo is different from what I usually see and what’s on my Hickory brand hewing axe. And there is a W stamped above the number 46. I’ve only seen something similar on what I think to be an older full size single bit I have. I think that one is marked W beside the number 26. The reason why I’m posting here is that I cannot find out what the W 46 means. The person I bought it from made a comment about it being the date. But when I asked he couldn’t tell me why. I would like to know more about this stamping and both of the axes. Thanks for your help. P.S. I can’t figure out how to add pictures. Can someone tell me how?

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

As I recently learned, that sounds like a Warren date stamp 1946.
(Warren was likely one of the companies making the Hardware store’s brand.)

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

P.S. I can’t figure out how to add pictures. Can someone tell me how?

Upload the photo to a hosting site like Imgur then use the photo link tool here to copy/paste that link into your post.
Hope that made sense.

P.S.
$20 isn’t that bad sounding.

 

[YoungCollector27]

As I recently learned, that sounds like a Warren date stamp 1946.
(Warren was likely one of the companies making the Hardware store’s brand.)[/QUOTE

Which hardware store are you referring to? I thought Hickory was a brand like like True Temper or Red Warrior for example.

 

[YoungCollector27]

Here are the pictures of the axes.

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Kelly-How-Thomson was the Hardware store that sold them, Hickory was their in store brand. They would have commissioned the manufacture of them to one or more of the major axe makers.

 

[YoungCollector27]

Kelly-How-Thomson was the Hardware store that sold them, Hickory was their in store brand. They would have commissioned the manufacture of them to one or more of the major axe makers.

Oh ok Thank you very much. I didn’t realize that

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Oh ok Thank you very much. I didn’t realize that

Of course! That’s my understanding anyway, unless someone corrects me.

They have a pretty interesting history, closed in 1958. (I think..)

 

[YoungCollector27]

Of course! That’s my understanding anyway, unless someone corrects me.

They have a pretty interesting history, closed in 1958. (I think..)

Did I upload the pictures right? And I do have another question. If you can see the pictures. From my knowledge there is a forgeweld line on both sides of the edge halfway up the head. Could that mean the body of the axe is a softer steel or maybe wrought iron and could that help date that axe as well? And I’m curious to what wood that the handle is on the Full-size axe. Thanks again for your help

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Did I upload the pictures right? And I do have another question. If you can see the pictures. From my knowledge there is a forgeweld line on both sides of the edge halfway up the head. Could that mean the body of the axe is a softer steel or maybe wrought iron and could that help date that axe as well? And I’m curious to what wood that the handle is on the Full-size axe. Thanks again for your help

No, I don’t think the photo link is working.
If I had to venture a guess without a photo, it sounds like you are seeing the difference between the soft steel and the tempered or hardened steel at the bit of the axe. Was it cleaned in vinegar?
The handle is almost certainly hickory.

 

[Square_peg]

From my knowledge there is a forgeweld line on both sides of the edge halfway up the head. Could that mean the body of the axe is a softer steel or maybe wrought iron and could that help date that axe as well?

It could be a forge weld line or it might just be a temper line. In this the face of the cheek isn't as indicative as the top and bottom of the axe. The top or bottom might tell us if the axe is mono-steel or if it has a inserted or overlaid bit.

 

[YoungCollector27]

Here’s the pictures of the hatchet

It could be a forge weld line or it might just be a temper line. In this the face of the cheek isn't as indicative as the top and bottom of the axe. The top or bottom might tell us if the axe is mono-steel or if it has a inserted or overlaid bit.

 

[YoungCollector27]

And here’s the axe

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Cool old axes! Not the typical Hickory logo.

 

[FLINT77]

yes, super cool. I really like that axe!

 

[YoungCollector27]

yes, super cool. I really like that axe!

Thanks I really like em too!

 

[Square_peg]

Nothing is showing up there. Cleaning it up with a file might show show the line or you might have to soak it in vinegar. You could set it up where just the cleaned top soaked in a small amount of vinegar without exposing the wood haft to the vinegar.

 

[garry3]

Did I upload the pictures right? And I do have another question. If you can see the pictures. From my knowledge there is a forgeweld line on both sides of the edge halfway up the head. Could that mean the body of the axe is a softer steel or maybe wrought iron and could that help date that axe as well? And I’m curious to what wood that the handle is on the Full-size axe. Thanks again for your help

The older one I am pretty sure (W28) will be a two piece with a softer body and that is what it looks like. Not sure on the newer one.

 

[YoungCollector27]

Nothing is showing up there. Cleaning it up with a file might show show the line or you might have to soak it in vinegar. You could set it up where just the cleaned top soaked in a small amount of vinegar without exposing the wood haft to the vinegar.

What is not showing up?

 

[YoungCollector27]

The older one I am pretty sure (W28) will be a two piece with a softer body and that is what it looks like. Not sure on the newer one.

Yeah I think the newer one is all steel. But any idea what the large letters mean. Initials maybe? And any idea what the W28 and W46 mean?