Awesome. Yes, interested in information on it, not price. I haven’t been able to find anything on these 3 3/4 lb heads - most of the searching pulls up the newer 3.5 lb heads. I’m also assuming it’s a felling head, but wasn’t sure if that was what they were marketed as, or if it was something else.
Hello Andrew,
It's true soliciting info is fine. I daresay what the forum is all about! But still a gold membership and a new contributor is a good thing too.
I can tell yours has an overlaid bit which does indeed make it older. But how much older we don't know.
I've asked some questions of a gentleman that used to work for S&N for twenty years. But his employment was after they had switched to all tool steel and they had the giant drop forge hammers.
According to him they acquired those big hammers in 1972. But I believe it was earlier than that when they switched to mono steel construction.
I know the date October 1st 1952 has some significance to the company as they stamped some of their axes with this date. But we don't yet know what that date signifies.
I have older examples like yours. 3-3/4lb was a more common weight back then. The long and short of it is it's hard to say old your axe is. I'd guess possibly the 40's or earlier. But that's just a guess, so take it with a grain of salt.
Does yours have a small "dot" or indentation right in front of the eye on the bottom?
As far as handle length, it's all up to what's comfortable for you and of course what you can find. You can find some good helves at home depot usually if you dig through the bin. They will be 36" though.
Sorry I couldn't be more precise. S&N is not easily giving up its secrets.
Here's the two better photos you posted;
