Old Marbles No. 15-Info and advice needed

[Swanny]

First post. Not really an axe guy, but I recently was poking around and started looking into an old double bit that I inherited from my great grandfather about 15 years ago. I'm trying to decide whether to do something with it, or post it on Ebay. They seem hard to find, and potentially rare/, but this one may have some edge issues, and there is a small chip in the handle. It isn't too tight, either. Not sure I can find something to rehang it on that will fit easily-any ideas there? If I can find a proper handle that won't take too much work, I'll probably keep it. Also came with a nice leather cover. Any idea of value if I try to sell it? Pics below. The head is a bit yellow/coated in the pics-I soaked it in BLO when I put it up years ago.

 

[leadbelly01]

If I was you I'd keep it, but I'd rather you sell to me
Finest double bit made in my opinion! I own two.
As far as the handle goes you'll have to do a lot shaving and sanding to make a new handle as thin. You could take the existing handle cut the kerf deeper and fit the head down about a half inch if you have room on the shoulder

Edit: looks like it might have lost its temper on a grinder. Those were tempered pretty far back from the edge. Someone with more knowledge may be able to fix this

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[halfaxe]

You might be able to rehang it on the same handle. That's what I would try first. Carefully pry out the wedge and put in a new one after fitting. If you sell it though most buyers would want it as it is now. Nice old sheath too. Those are nice, a very handy 2 pounds on a short handle.

 

[phantomknives]

i'v never heard of a number 15, small doubles are hard to come by. file test the edge to see if lead is right. if it doesnt wiggle when you use it, it doesnt need a new handle. If you do sell it, which IMO is a mistake, make sure you get a fair price, not just like, $50

 

[leadbelly01]

Your looking at $200-$500. If the sheath is factory maybe more.
There are two different pattern bits on these. The smaller being the rarer of the two



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[grafton]

I am not so sure about there being two different patterns of no 15s. Are you certain of that or has that smaller one just seen more use? Is there any documentation for two different patterns of these?

The sheath on the OP's axe is not of Marbles manufacture but is a home made job. The handle looks to have been cut down or it may be a replacement as there does not appear to be a palm swell of any kind on the end. Original handles on these should measure around 27"

 

[leadbelly01]

I am not so sure about there being two different patterns of no 15s. Are you certain of that or has that smaller one just seen more use? Is there any documentation for two different patterns of these?

The sheath on the OP's axe is not of Marbles manufacture but is a home made job. The handle looks to have been cut down or it may be a replacement as there does not appear to be a palm swell of any kind on the end. Original handles on these should measure around 27"

No documentation that I've found, I've asked online with comparison pictures and the only response I've gotten is that the smaller head was used more. But actually comparing in hand the differences are obvious. The eye is larger on the smaller bit. The bit are much thicker from eye to edge. The cutting faces are very circular and very consistent on both sides. The pattern is very similar to 2lbs hartwell cruisers. I thought this axe may have been a forgery of a hartwell. I've shown the axe to a more knowledgeable axe man who owns both hartwell and marbles #15 axes and while he doesn't own the smaller pattern that I have he believes it's a genuine marbles #15 on a different pattern.


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[Esav Benyamin]

I have edited your post.
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