Vaughn Boy Scout hand axe - age?

Thomas Linton

Thomas Linton

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Vaughn's "all steel" BSa Axe dates back to 1940. Is this wooden-handled axe even older?

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Thomas Linton said:
Vaughn's "all steel" BSa Axe dates back to 1940. Is the wooden-handles axe even older?
Click to expand...
Is there Vaughan maker's mark on the head?
In add from December 1940 we can find two hatchets: new design Saf-T-Hed (Pat. D117.803 #1263)
https://books.google.com/books?id=aGffd0JsPToC&pg=PA55&dq=vaughan+bsa+axe&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwixo4PHncztAhUkm-AKHZm7BfwQ6AEwAnoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q=vaughan bsa axe&f=false

https://patents.google.com/patent/USD117803S/en?oq=Pat.+D117.803

I've just found an ad from June 1936 23 inch handle axe https://books.google.com/books?id=m_7XltzVxYsC&pg=PA30&dq=vaughan+bsa+axe&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWgPTkpMztAhWxTd8KHV52DbAQ6AEwBHoECAMQAg#v=onepage&q=vaughan bsa axe&f=false
28 inch handle from 1937 ad page 72 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hardware_Age/7aoTAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=vaughan+"official+boy+scout"+axe&pg=RA2-PA72&printsec=frontcover
All of those Boy's size axes with welded bit seem to be stamped "Senior Official Scout Axe Vaughan", though.
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https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vaughan-senior-scout-axe-adze-eye-1996563951
Link to Vaughan's 1930 bit welding patent
https://patents.google.com/patent/US1948549A/en?inventor=Sanford+S.+Vaughan
 
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Thank you for your interest.

The axe with an original 28" haft was sold by BSA FROM 1936-1940 as a "Felling Axe." It was said to have a "bi-metallic" head. https://books.google.com/books?id=7aoTAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA72&lpg=RA2-PA72&dq="vaughan+&+bushnell"+axes+"bi-metallic"&source=bl&ots=4wBewteqqz&sig=ACfU3U23KzfcfMIXqiO3UYZfLXpMfChjDw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwit7-zpwMztAhXEZc0KHbdiCpQQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q="vaughan & bushnell" axes "bi-metallic"&f=false

The hand axe I am wondering about, the one with a wood handle ("cream with red tip") with the BSA seal and legend "Official Scout Axe" on its handle, also is sold as having a "bi-metallic" head. I bought mine on eBay for $5.00 in 2007 Never tracked down its dates of production.

Found this in a 1940 Vaughn & Bushnell catalog:

"VAUGHAN AXES

Vaughan Axes are manufactured under the PATENTED ELECTRIC FUSION PROCESS (Pats. 1,948,548 and
1,948,549). This consists of forging the head and blade of the axe separately, the two being joined together by
the ELECTRIC FUSION PROCESS, a picture of which may be seen on the opposite page. This produces a per-
fect blend of the two parts, each of which is made fromthe particular type of steel best suited for both parts
of the axe.

The head of the axe is forged from a tough steel that will withstand the most severe usage. The entire blade is
forged separately from a high grade tool steel chosenfor its cutting qualities and its ability to stand up under
the most gruelling service. The result, after being joinedtogether by the ELECTRIC FUSION PROCESS, is a
real electric bi-metallic axe that is recognized as thestrongest yet developed.

The Vaughan process of axe manufacture produces the thinnest blade for faster cutting together with an eye
that is true and will stand up under the hardest service. The all tool steel blade, extending almost to the point
where the eye begins, permits the axe to be ground backfurther, greatly increasing the life of the tool.

For faster cutting, longer life and absolute dependability,try a Vaughan Axe. Thousands of satisfied users will
vouch for them." [emphasis added]

I looked at the Boys' Life ad. I find no ad for any brand of "mono-steel head with wooden handle (#1510)." I do find an ad for a Plumb hand axe with a "forged" head, BSA # 1510 (1930-1940).

I would look a earlier copies of Boys' Life but it seems that the Boys' Life "Way Back Machine" is down again.
 
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Thomas Linton said:
Thank you for your interest.

The axe with an original 28" haft was sold by BSA FROM 1936-1940 as a "Felling Axe." It was said to have a "bi-metallic" head. https://books.google.com/books?id=7aoTAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA72&lpg=RA2-PA72&dq="vaughan+&+bushnell"+axes+"bi-metallic"&source=bl&ots=4wBewteqqz&sig=ACfU3U23KzfcfMIXqiO3UYZfLXpMfChjDw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwit7-zpwMztAhXEZc0KHbdiCpQQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q="vaughan & bushnell" axes "bi-metallic"&f=false

The hand axe I am wondering about, the one with a wood handle ("cream with red tip") with the BSA seal and legend "Official Scout Axe," also is sold as having a "bi-metallic" head. I bought mine on eBay for $5.00 in 2007 Never tracked down its dates of production.

Found this in a 1940 Vaughn & Bushnell catalog:

"VAUGHAN AXES

Vaughan Axes are manufactured under the PATENTED ELECTRIC FUSION PROCESS (Pats. 1,948,548 and
1,948,549). This consists of forging the head and blade of the axe separately, the two being joined together by
the ELECTRIC FUSION PROCESS, a picture of which may be seen on the opposite page. This produces a per-
fect blend of the two parts, each of which is made fromthe particular type of steel best suited for both parts
of the axe.

The head of the axe is forged from a tough steel that will withstand the most severe usage. The entire blade is
forged separately from a high grade tool steel chosenfor its cutting qualities and its ability to stand up under
the most gruelling service. The result, after being joinedtogether by the ELECTRIC FUSION PROCESS, is a
real electric bi-metallic axe that is recognized as thestrongest yet developed.

The Vaughan process of axe manufacture produces the thinnest blade for faster cutting together with an eye
that is true and will stand up under the hardest service. The all tool steel blade, extending almost to the point
where the eye begins, permits the axe to be ground backfurther, greatly increasing the life of the tool.

For faster cutting, longer life and absolute dependability,try a Vaughan Axe. Thousands of satisfied users will
vouch for them." [emphasis added]

I looked at the Boys' Life ad. I find no ad for any brand of "mono-steel head with wooden handle (#1510)." I do find an ad for a Plumb hand axe with a "forged" head, BSA # 1510 (1930-1940).

i would look a earlier copies of Boys' Life but it seems that the "Way Back Machine" is down again.
Click to expand...

I am sorry, my mistake. #1510 was indeed made by Plumb. I will edit my previous post.

1936 2 1/4 lbs axes had quality finish. When you look at Vaughan made axes throughout history you do not see significant drop in quality like Mann or Woodings-Verona had. The surface finish of those hatchet seems a little bit out of place (maybe made during WW2?) and it was the reason my first thought was that it was made by Marion Tool
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bo...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 
Thomas, I have had similar looking hatchet. No makers stamp, has a cast look to it and an undersized eye, which made me think of off shore manufacture. Figured that out when I bought one because I liked the shape of the handle more than the head.
 
Vuughn & Bushnell didn't make the smoothest-looking axes, but they had a good reputation at the time. The BIG seller was Plumb, of course, and Collins next in line.

The almost-all-steel Vaughn gets almost all the hits - part of BSA's 60-year search for the kid-proof axe. Which, not surprisingly, they never found. It does not seem to be advertised as "bi-metallic" like their wood-hafted axes.

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