Opinions wanted on this old collins

[ultrahesh]

I'd like opinions from the experts on this axe. I want to know from someone who has done,it if it would be beneficial to apply heat and try to hammer out the mushrooming on this poll. My concern is preserving the stamp. I would also like to know if anyone knows what the unreadable portion of the stamp says. I can make out "victor 1909" on the top line, "Collins & Co. Hartford" on the second line and "cast steel warranted" on the third. Below that is the legitimus stamp although it is not strong. There is something else stamped on the first line that I can't make out. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
Upon further inspection of the stamp with a flashlight? The last two letters of the word before victor appear to be "ks"
Ps. Thanks to jblyttle

 

[jblyttle]

I would either leave it or slowly file with a smooth file from bit to poll so as to not touch the stamp. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Edit- I take it back, I would not want to see shining steel on this head. Hopefully someone with experience can weigh in on peening it carefully down.

 

[ultrahesh]

I would either leave it or slowly file with a smooth file from bit to poll so as to not touch the stamp. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Thanks, I know that you have seen this in person, I want to file to some extent, but I want to flatten the mushroom portion that contains the first line of the stamp. I'll lose it if I file it flat. That's also the best single part of the stamp in my opinion

 

[jblyttle]

Thanks, I know that you have seen this in person, I want to file to some extent, but I want to flatten the mushroom portion that contains the first line of the stamp. I'll lose it if I file it flat. That's also the best single part of the stamp in my opinion

After looking around I believe that it says "Brecks Victor".

 

[Operator1975]

Dont touch it, leave it as is.

 

[Steve Tall]

After looking around I believe that it says "Brecks Victor".

I agree. Looks like 1909 was the year of manufacture. A similar one was stamped 1915:

BRECKS VICTOR 1915
COLLINS & CO HARTFORD
CAST STEEL WARRENTED
[LEGITIMUS CROWN SYMBOL]
LEGITIMUS

 

[DarthTaco123]

I'd leave it alone.