Trade Axe Identification?

[BCWILL]

Hello friends….. I’m interested in sone opinions regarding this “trade axe”?

From what I’ve dug up so far I’m thinking French and maybe 1700-1750’s ???
Any info anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[Rató:rats]

Definitely a Biscayne pattern. How long is the handle? Often the stamps on the head indicated the weight of the axe; two stamps= 2 lb head, 3 stamps= 3lbs

The weight of the axe won’t correspond to modern lbs as in the 18th century the French used the Mesures useuelles system.
One French lb, or Livre, was 9216 grains, whereas our modern lb is 7000 grains.

Hope this helps

​

 

[French Colonial]

Hello friends….. I’m interested in sone opinions regarding this “trade axe”?

From what I’ve dug up so far I’m thinking French and maybe 1700-1750’s ???
Any info anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Most excellent!

Please look closely at it, I would love to know if there is any evidence of a steel insert on the leading edge.

 

[necchi]

From what I’ve dug up so far I’m thinking French and maybe 1700-1750’s ???

I'm thinking , Nope.
The elongated wedge fit, handle makes me think much more modern

 

[BCWILL]

I'm thinking , Nope.
The elongated wedge fit, handle makes me think much more modern

Yes the handle is no doubt a modern piece….he simply stuck it in the eye to display the head.
It is certainly not correct for the piece
Thanks for the info thus far folks!

 

[French Colonial]

It sure looks right according to this

https://scavengeology.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Axes-in-New-France-Part-1-The-Biscayan-Axe.pdf

 

[Rató:rats]

Here’s my repro 2 lb Biscayne by Jeff Miller with crosses or X stamps similar to the one in your pic.

 

[rich pierce]

It’s right. Not modern. I have one like it dug from a Mohawk site dating 1680-1720.

 

[tenngun]

Definitely a Biscayne pattern. How long is the handle? Often the stamps on the head indicated the weight of the axe; two stamps= 2 lb head, 3 stamps= 3lbs

The weight of the axe won’t correspond to modern lbs as in the 18th century the French used the Mesures useuelles system.
One French lb, or Livre, was 9216 grains, whereas our modern lb is 7000 grains.

Hope this helps

​

Firearms traps and tools of the Mountain men by Russell devotes almost half his book to trade axes. Yes this looks like the Biscayne ones he show

 

[necchi]

It sure looks right according to this

https://scavengeology.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Axes-in-New-France-Part-1-The-Biscayan-Axe.pdf

Thank you for sharing that,
I'm still learning,

 

[Jaeger]

Hello friends….. I’m interested in sone opinions regarding this “trade axe”?

From what I’ve dug up so far I’m thinking French and maybe 1700-1750’s ???
Any info anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thanks

That is a nice piece! Think of the history it has undergone, and all the people who have handled it.

 

[BCWILL]

Well the Postman brought me this today

Got a much better look at it now that it’s officially mine…3 stamps on both sides, I cannot see any clear evidence that it has a hardened bit added ???
Weighs just 2 ounces shy of 3lbs !
I’m pretty stoked to have it

 

[BCWILL]

Thanks for the thoughts folks !