Restoration advice for a Hubbard and Blake Maine Pattern.

[DarthTaco123]

This was me second axe that I ever bought, bought it for 10 bucks in the corner of an antique store with an even older R. Dunn before he created the Dunn Edge Tool Company, I know what I'm doing with the Dunn (needs a LOT of work, mushroomed beyond use, the eye is nearly peened shut, it's a project for sure) but the Hubbard and Blake is in fairly good condition besides the handle. From what I've gathered it was made between 1877 when (following the disbanding of a fairly large tool maker's coalition) Hubbard and Blake Co. reformed under Hubbard and Blake Mfg. Co., which lasted until 1889 when they were bought out by AATCO.

The head in and of itself (minus some mushrooming is near perfect, not a single pit, and the bit is nearly unworn. The handle, however, is being held in with a series of old screws and nails, and is missing a chunk out of the swell (see the pics below). What is it you recommend I do? Just leave it alone? Lower the head, properly wedge it, and splice a piece of wood into the missing chunk? Other? I'm just as tempted to "fix 'er up" as I am to leave it alone.

It almost looks like it's upside down, not sure though.

 

[halfaxe]

It is a scarce axe on an unusual old handle. I would leave it alone and admire it as it is now. Easy for me to say because I have a boatload of axes.

 

[DarthTaco123]

I HAD a boatload of axes but offloaded some, holding on to this one because it was my second purchase. If I do anything I might put it on up-side right (if it's the consensus that it's upside down).

 

[300Six]

Most unusual shape for a single bit handle! Somewhat curved but only a little bit ..And I like this. Fella that made it 100 years ago (?) was experienced and didn't want it to break!

 

[jblyttle]

I love Maine wedges. As far as I can tell, where these are so straight there are only two clear ways to tell. First, measure the openings if you can. Bigger is the top. Second less sure way, look for strike marks on the underside in front of the eye. If there are AND the top is clean, it's probably upside down. If I wanted to rehab that one I would take the old handle off and just measure the eye openings to get my bearings. If there are any stamps behind the eye that is also probably the bottom.

 

[Square_peg]

It is a scarce axe on an unusual old handle. I would leave it alone and admire it as it is now. Easy for me to say because I have a boatload of axes.

I'll second this. Enjoy it as is.

 

[DarthTaco123]

Thanks for putting me back into my right mind, if I do anything it'll be taking the head off (it slides easily on the wood) and put it in the right way.