Photos NO 23 Collins Auto Camp Axe

Miller '72

Miller '72

Joined
Jul 25, 2017
Messages
2,462
This is one for the wall and display only

20181230-144244.jpg


20181230-144143.jpg


20190105-064645.jpg


2.87 lbs. Total
24.5" Hung. Haft is 25" total and not trimmed.
Walnut Wedge

20190105-064607.jpg


20190105-064909.jpg


20190105-064830.jpg


20190105-064823.jpg


20190105-064803.jpg


20190105-064757.jpg


20190105-064718.jpg


20190105-064725.jpg


20190105-064706.jpg


20190105-065501.jpg


20190105-064626.jpg


20190105-082836.jpg


I am grateful & fortunate to include this Collins in my modest collection.

I am considering and leaning toward reglueing the label to the handle and clear coat over to preserve like I did with the Chickasaw CHIEF (5 coats, lightly sanded and BLO again).

I have not found much information regarding the NO 23. I have read in a couple different places that it is probably from the 1920's, specifically marketed for the auto enthusiast, possibly came on a 19"-24" handle, and the entire stamp made deeper than other stamps for other Collins Axes of the time.

If anyone has or finds information regarding the NO 23, please post it here. I would love to learn more if there is more and boy to see an advertisement if any exist for it would be sweet.

Happy New Year!
:thumbsup::cool:
 
From Yesteryear tools
SPECIALITY MARKINGS

The outdoor activity that became known as "auto-camping" appears to have started a few years prior to 1920. By the mid 1920s it had become a major past time for thousands of motorists. In answer to the growing demands for certain necessities associated with auto-camping many hardware dealers sold smaller sized axes for cutting firewood and driving tent pegs. This led to the manufacturer of axes with markings indicating they were actually intended for use as a "camp axe". Many were marked according and some even had the words "Auto-Camp Axe" marked on them. Collins & Co. offered such axes.
Another term that evolved around that time was "Sportsman’s Axe". Many companies sold axes so marked and some included decorative designs to enhance the appearance of such axes. The popularity of side of the road and back-road auto-camping gave way to the wide spread introduction of motor camp grounds and motor courts as more and more families became involved in such activities. This led to the discontinuance of axes marked accordingly and in their place more and more "Sportsman’s Axes" became available.
The Auto-Camp axes and Sportsman's axes were not full sized axes if compared to chopping axes. Some were hatchet size while others were house axe size. apparently they were not meant for chopping larger trees but were more for preparing kindling and spitting wood for camp fires.

Col1%20Spec%20Marks.jpg
 
Miller, good photos and a nice treasure axe.
The walnut wedge; do you think a hardwood wedge is better than a soft wood? DM
 
David Martin said:
Miller, good photos and a nice treasure axe.
The walnut wedge; do you think a hardwood wedge is better than a soft wood? DM
Click to expand...

Thank you Dave.
No, I can't say in my limited experience, one way or the other. What I can say is that I have found the soft wood wedges are more forgiving when setting in the kerf. The walnut I find needs to be thin enough to fit the kerf, yet still fill the eye and expand that haft when hanging. Not to thin and not to fat. To thin and the hang may fail, very soon. To fat a wedge and she may not set in the kerf and just slip back out with each blow of the mallet. Or worse, crack the haft. I will soak the head with the wedge overnight when possible and have that walnut absorb as much BLO as possible.
I like the walnut, how it looks and tend to use it more on the pieces I am gifting or as in this case, know it will be a display.
I do have a few pieces I use that have walnut wedges, but they don't see use on a regular basis.
I do expect more often than not, the need to set the wedge a little deeper after a little use and or time for both soft and hard wood wedges.
 
David Martin said:
Ok, thanks. DM
Click to expand...

I say limited experience...what I mean is actually paying attention and caring about hanging or rehanging an axe.
I have been splitting and chopping, as with many of us, since I was old enough to help and not just be in my dads way;)
Sadly it wasnt until my own son found an axe of my grandfathers or uncles here in the yard we now live that I started to think beyond the tools purpose and think of the craftsmanship and finesse of knowing and practicing the craft that gets a tool to its purpose.
I wish I had slowed down and recognized this sooner:cool:
 
Council put a hardened aluminum wedge in their hafts. So, I guess a hard wedge works.
Don't beat yourself up over past spilled milk, just go forward from here and make some adjustments. DM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top