strange company

[wdmn]

Hello,

Grabbed an axe today mostly for its vintage handle. Started cleaning it up and noticed it said "Made in Sweden 3 1/2" on the cheek, and that it had something stamped on the poll.

The second part of the stamp is pretty clear. It reads: BEE

I can tell that there were at least three letters before it, which I'm pretty sure are: ELL

That would be "ELL BEE" ...

Seems incomplete and strange, but there are no other signs of lettering or logos.

Anyone have any ideas?



Thanks

 

[Square_peg]

Probably imported by a domestic reseller. There was once an Ell Bee Mfg. Co.

I found this at google books - from Hardware Age magazine, 1956.


https://books.google.com/books?id=I...a=X&ei=bnH8VPO-J8u0oQSczYC4Dw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBA


There's a fair chance it's a Gransfors. They exported many axes back in the day. They were considered a 'bargain' line compared to top shelf American axes of the day.

 

[Square_peg]

Does the 'Made in Sweden' stamp looks like this?

 

[wdmn]

Thanks pegs, I wondered if it might be the domestic reseller.

Yes, the mark looks like that, except it says 31/2 above it. In fact, I'd say I have the same axe (in terms of pattern). It's on an "imperial" handle, which is pretty nice, but maybe not salvageable. I'll have to borrow a camera and get some photos up.

 

[Square_peg]

Cool. I look forward to seeing the picks. It's probably a GB.


The font on this one is identical to the first one I posted.