USFS Log Branding Hammer - Help with ID and age

[MikeLV]

Posted in a forum related to completely different subject matter is this unique Log Branding Hammer marked with the brand "US" . Interested in learning more about when mde, and maker of the axe. Does not appear to be cobbled together - but cast with this purpose in mind. This is not mine - I am just interested in it!

Did find a specific reference to the axe as shown below in a 1937 book on CCC Forestry - but still interested in any info as to maker and/or age (other than in the book in 1937)

Link Update 11/21/2017 - Page 138
https://foresthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/PartOneCCC_For_.pdf

and a reference to it in a letter May 2, 1901:
Link Update 11/21/2017 - I can no longer find the letter! Sorry

Covers a lot of territory!

Here are some pictures:

 

[Olyidaho]

See bottom of post

Posted in a forum related to completely different subject matter is this unique Log Branding Hammer marked with the brand "US" . Interested in learning more about when mde, and maker of the axe. Does not appear to be cobbled together - but cast with this purpose in mind. This is not mine - I am just interested in it!

Did find a specific reference to the axe as shown below in a 1937 book on CCC Forestry - but still interested in any info as to maker and/or age (other than in the book in 1937)
http://www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Publications/CCCforestry/chap6.htm

and a reference to it in a letter May 2, 1901:
http://www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Publications/CCCforestry/chap6.htm

Covers a lot of territory!

Here are some pictures:

Yesterday I went on a hike with my father-in-law who is about to turn 80. He retired from the Forest service in the early 90's and on the hike he told me a story of how when he was about 6-8 years old he went with his father to cut some poles and a Forest Service ranger went with them and how he would use a hatchet/axe tool to scrape bark off with the hatchet side then turn it around and strike it with the US stamp side and that became their permit for the trees that were marked. It was such a powerful experience for him that he pursued a lifelong career eventually as the head of range management over multiple national forests before retiring and still a vivid memory at age 79.9. I understand you were simply looking for information on the tool but if you had any interest at all in selling it I would be very interested. If not I totally understand and greatly appreciate the photos you have posted of it as those alone have served as great memory sparks for him.

 

[Square_peg]

Yesterday I went on a hike with my father-in-law who is about to turn 80. He retired from the Forest service in the early 90's and on the hike he told me a story of how when he was about 6-8 years old he went with his father to cut some poles and a Forest Service ranger went with them and how he would use a hatchet/axe tool to scrape bark off with the hatchet side then turn it around and strike it with the US stamp side and that became their permit for the trees that were marked. It was such a powerful experience for him that he pursued a lifelong career eventually as the head of range management over multiple national forests before retiring and still a vivid memory at age 79.9. I understand you were simply looking for information on the tool but if you had any interest at all in selling it I would be very interested. If not I totally understand and greatly appreciate the photos you have posted of it as those alone have served as great memory sparks for him.

Thanks for that, Olyidaho.

There were companies that made these branding axes to order for logging companies. Each logging company had it's brand.

 

[Beachlogger]

The eye is interesting to me, is that lead poured in the flared end?

 

[Agent_H]

That really is a great story and a unique/specialized tool. I wonder how many young men today see something like that decide to work in forestry - government or private?

Logging brand/stamp hammers are interesting. I've seen a number and sometimes they are pretty unique looking things. Also, I imagine that there are a huge variety of markings out there beyond what the internet can provide.

From what I can find it seems that some states’ current requirements range from being changed every year to being able to be renewed. It seems that if a stamp is not renewed then it is open to anyone else who would like to register it. It would be great to find some history on a specific one but I think there are just too many outfits that exist(ed) to make it easy. The assignment of them was kept in written logs, then typed, then digitally formatted.

There are a lot of new and old cattle brands online linked up to companies, groups, and families. The logging hammer was probably seen as a proprietary mark but also a keeping up with government regulations and registration. Maybe not glamorous like sharp tools. I would imagine those records are something that could be requested but it seems like a lot of trouble. Oregon’s counties seem to have records but would mean a trip to a library.

I've seen them attached to tools like axes, hatchets, blacksmith hammers, and sometimes attached to things that look really cumbersome to swing in order to mark a log - like a 12lb sledge on a 18"ish handle with the brand cut out of it as opposed to built up or welded on it. I've also seen smaller ones with short handles that look like the rear hammer face was struck with something else to deliver the mark.

I only have one and don't see them often. I don't think this one is old but it was cheap due to the guy selling it just saw it as someone had ruined a perfectly good hammer. I could assume it relates to Hancock Forest Management but without record of the #4 it could have been recorded by an earlier group. They refer to the shape as a “Stone” with a # and capital letter.

p.103 of a log brand report:

Square_peg mentioned that companies would make them for logging outfits - I can’t find anything on Hosking or WSP (marked on the other side) other than a couple of past auction listings online.

Also, if you find stuff in/from the PNW or Washington State in this case, you might get a kick out of the current Washington log mark registry:

http://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/rp_log_brands_report.pdf


And just for entertainment - Michigan Log Marks:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/MichiganLogMarks_384832_7.pdf

 

[Square_peg]

I've seen numerous branding axes on the bay that all looked to be specifically fabricated at the factory for that purpose. I've also seen home-brew/welding shop branding axes. This is one I own that was made out of a Collins rafting axe.

Here's another that I spotted a local logging crew using. It's made on a smaller Collins.

Here's another similar tool I own that appears to be made out of non-sparking bronze. It could have been used to brand logs but the bronze makes me wonder if it was for some other industry.

Agent H, thanks for that link. I saved a copy but the list is too long to search right now.

 

[Agent_H]

P.356?

 

[Square_peg]

Looks like a Weyerhauser brand alright.

 

[rjdankert]

USFS Log Branding Hammer - Help with ID and age

. . . interested in any info as to maker and/or age . . .

I think that age and maker are going to be difficult. But just as soon as I think that about this type of post, somebody comes up with the information. What I have to offer may be a start if nothing else appears. FWIW:

History of the United States Forest Service
In 1876, Congress created the office of Special Agent in the Department of Agriculture to assess the state of the forests in the United States. Franklin B. Hough was appointed the head of the office. In 1881, the office was expanded into the newly formed Division of Forestry. The Forest Reserve Act of 1891 authorized withdrawing land from the public domain as "forest reserves," managed by the Department of the Interior. In 1901, the Division of Forestry was renamed the Bureau of Forestry. The Transfer Act of 1905 transferred the management of forest reserves from the General Land Office of the Interior Department to the Bureau of Forestry, henceforth known as the US Forest Service.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States_Forest_Service

So, which iteration of the US Forest Service started marking trees/logs? When were they stamped "U S"? At least by 1905?

They were apparently marking in the 1920's:

IMHO the axe in the last shot looks at least similar to the one in question.

Complete video:
[video=youtube;2TFf2esmioo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TFf2esmioo[/video]

Bob