Author Topic: need original axe reference (Read 12989 times)

brokenflint · « **on:** October 16, 2009, 03:32:55 AM »

Anyone have any good sources for research on original colonial era axes? I'm looking for anything from 1720's to 1820's for starters. I remember a tomahawk site at one time but I'm unable to find it again. Thanks all

Broke

Chuck Burrows · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:18:37 AM »

Here's the old/new TATCA site: http://tatcalite.tripod.com/id2.htm

after that there are several books:
"Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersman Belt Axes" by Hartzler and Knowles is one with axes
"The Collectors Illustrated Encycopedia of the American Revolution" by G. C. Neuwmann has some - Neumann also has several other books that should include axes - here's a list of most on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=George+C.+Neumann+&x=13&y=17

many of these are expensive but most can be gotten through InterLibrary Loan for free or a nominal fee..

Randy Hedden · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:17:41 AM »

Quote from: brokenflint on October 16, 2009, 03:32:55 AM

I remember a tomahawk site at one time but I'm unable to find it again. Thanks all

Broke

If we are talking about the same tomahawk site with all the period axes, it has been down for some time now or he changed web sites.

Randy Hedden

Chuck Burrows · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2009, 08:02:13 AM »

Randy - It's now at the link I posted.....same basic site as the old TATCA one with some updates.......

Randy Hedden · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2009, 08:31:28 AM »

Thanks Chuck,

I missed the url in your post.

Randy Hedden

Ken G · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2009, 03:08:41 PM »

Chuck,
Thanks for the link. I had lost track of where the site went. Good information and pictures on that site.
Ken

Brian · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2009, 05:31:22 PM »

I can get you information out of any of these if it will help

Accouterments I (James R. Johnston)
Accouterments II (James R. Johnston)
Accouterments III (James R. Johnston)
American Axes (Henry J. Kauffman
American Indian Tomahawks (Harold L. Peterson)
American Primitive Knives 1770 – 1870 (Gordon Minnis)
Arms & Armor in Colonial America 1526-1783 (Harold L. Peterson)
Arms & Armor of the Pilgrims (Harold L. Peterson)
Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (George C. Neuman)
Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersman Belt Axes (D. Hartzler / J. Knowles)
Indian War Clubs (John Baldwin)
The History of Weapons of the American Revolution (George C. Newman)
Tomahawks & Pipe Axes of the American Frontier (John Baldwin)
Tomahawks Illustrated (Robert Kuck)

Let me know if I can be of any assistance

brokenflint · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:36:09 PM »

Chuck - thanks, that was the old site I was looking for.

Brian - I may well take you up on the offer.

What I'm looking for atm is different bag/belt axe designs that I could become fond of

That and methods of carry, blade coverings etc. I would like this on the small to medium size, however vague that is LOL. Let me cruise the website some and I'll try to ID some examples of what I am looking for. Thanks All

Broke

rich pierce · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2009, 08:14:03 PM »

Most folks start with a timeframe and place and intended use and that can help you decide.

brokenflint · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2009, 11:01:04 PM »

Rich How about July 22, 1779

Colonial Militia - Farmer - dead guy LOL. Now let me explain that, I have an ancestor who was killed at the Battle of Minisink on the aforementioned date and wife has a couple of ancestors who participated/ died at the Battle of Kings Mtn, months prior surrounding skirmishes. Which had me looking at those items which may have been / possible to have been in my ancestors possession during his short 19 year life span.

My goal on this, at this point, is to see if I can find a poll axe shape that is to my liking and if so, how it may fit into the time frame. I actually don't do any reenactment atm. Now I'm probably out of line here but anything from the 1720 to 1780 would actually be realistic. I have an axe that I still use that is over 50 years old from my youth. I would think even if I did use an axe from this timeframe as a reenactor that it would not be so much an issue of suitability, like clothing style or weapons which would have seen more significant change from fashion, utility etc.

Broke

Leatherbelly · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2009, 11:57:31 PM »

Look at the castings at smilingfoxforge.com and see if any of those are to your liking.

rich pierce · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2009, 12:35:15 AM »

Broke,
I think a poll axe would be perfect for a farmer of that time.

Brian · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2009, 12:42:56 AM »

Here are two hammer poll tomahawks that are “supposed” to be circa 1775 and 1780. The round poll hawk is allegedly dated to 1775, and the square poll hawk is allegedly dated to 1880. The square one is more of an "axe" in appearance, so it may be more what you are after.

According to information I was given these are/were from the Hendershot Museum, although there was some suggestion the 1775 round poll hawk was from a private collection. I dug these pictures up when I was looking for a pattern for the hawk I had forged for myself. As I recall I did have information somewhere that seemed to confirm the dates of these hawks, but I can’t remember where it was. I’ll see if I can dig up that material again so you have a reference. Somewhere around here I have measurements and dimensions for each head.

This is the round poll hawk (1775)

This is the square poll hawk (1780)

Either way they are pretty cool, and while the dates may be somewhat in question, both are authentic in apperance for that time frame. I have one custom forged that is a copy of the round poll hawk.

brokenflint · « **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2009, 02:27:52 AM »

Hey Brian Thanks

for those photos, interesting. If you happen to run across the dimensions, please post them. Like most folks I personally like the tomahawk look, but the full rear of a poll axe is really the more practical camp axe. I've not fought too many injuns on my outtins so I definetly don't need a fightin hawk!

Broke

T*O*F · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:23:35 AM »

The Knuck Estate that was sold at auction several years back had tons of pictures of original axes and hawks. The entire collection was on the internet. I tried a Google and couldn't find it, but the URL on my old computer worked the last time I tried it. I downloaded the entire collection at the time and still have all the pics.

bigbat · « **Reply #15 on:** October 17, 2009, 10:15:00 PM »

I would think that one of these styles would be what most carried and used. These were "dug up" in Southern Michigan and Ohio.

dannybb55 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 13, 2009, 02:54:51 PM »

Quote from: Leatherbelly on October 16, 2009, 11:57:31 PM

Look at the castings at smilingfoxforge.com and see if any of those are to your liking.

\

Even better, get one forged cause there weren't many cast axes back then. Let me know what you find and I'll turn you one up. Maybe one for me too. Don't forget Firearms Traps and Tools of the Mountainmen by Russell, He has axes back to Day One of the Iron age in Europe to Collins latest.

joelvca · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2009, 01:36:11 AM »

Dave, that was the estate of Tom Wnuck. The auction links are still up, starting with the prices received.
http://www.cottoneauctions.com/oldsite/old/TomWnuck/Price%20Results.htm
Click on the category headings to view the pictures.

Hoping this may be of some assistance, I remain &c,
Joel

brokenflint · « **Reply #18 on:** November 14, 2009, 03:36:18 AM »

Joelvca Nice link, dsome good stuff on there Thanks Broke

acorn20 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2009, 04:28:48 AM »

Joel and Dave,
That link to the Tom Wnuck auction is an excellent reference for the accoutrements from the F&I war and Rev War. Bags, horns, axes et al. Great link. Thanks.
Dan

T*O*F · « **Reply #20 on:** November 14, 2009, 09:19:37 PM »

Quote

That link to the Tom Wnuck auction is an excellent reference for the accoutrements from the F&I war and Rev War. Bags, horns, axes et al.

When that auction first took place, I downloaded all the pictures and burned them to a CD. Not knowing that the link would remain active this long, it seemed like too valuable a resource to let disappear into cyberspace.

The other DWS · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2010, 07:25:19 AM »

you can also find evidence in any number of archaeological "dig books" where they document their finds. you just have to match up the site and dates for what you want.

there are several great books out of canada of the"up from the rapids" type that show underwater recoveries from voyageur canoe upsets. they cover all periods from early F&I war to the much later Hudson's Bay era stuff. All sorts of common tools and implements were carried in bulk as trade goods including kegs of axe/hatched heads knife blades etc

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Author Topic: need original axe reference (Read 12989 times)

brokenflint

brokenflint

brokenflint

Leatherbelly

brokenflint

dannybb55

joelvca

brokenflint

The other DWS