Unusual Spiked Hatchet??

[mikeswrenches]

Here is an unusual tool that has a function I can not identify.  It is 9 7/16 in. from tip of spike to edge face.  The edge face is 2 5/16 in. long, and the overall length of handle is 15 1/16 in. overall.  The end of the handle is stamped D26.  The green color of the handle is not original.  The guy I bought it from said the whole thing was painted this color, and that he removed it from the metal.  I'm not sure whether to remove it from the handle or leave like it is.

The spike looks like one you would find on a rock hammer, and the edge end like you would see on a lathing hatchet.  I can not imagine why you would marry the two together.

The only mark is EVANSVILLE stamped on the blade.  My guess is that this is the Evansville Tool Works that operated in Evansville, IN.  Unfortunately there is very little info on this company.  I haven't been able to find any catalog sheets or any other pictures of their tools.  I do know that they also made a hatchet as I saw one at an auction last week.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

[Nolatoolguy]

I aint sure but it resembles a ice pick a little.

[jimwrench]

 Not a lot of helpbut Donnelly showed a golden anniversary axe from Evansville Tool co in his 1999 catalog. Says 1935 which would put company origin at 1885. He also shows cross pein hammer by them in same cat. Also has a post mortice ax by them in 1998 cat. and a lathing hatchet in 1997 cat. They evidently had a pretty wide line of hammers,hatchets,axes etc but found nothing on your hatchet.

[jimwrench]

 Sellens shows ice hatchet on pg 230 that lloks like your hatchet.

[anglesmith]

 "Fireman's hachet" A similar hatchet and holster was standard issue to the suburban fire brigades here, probably in the same era as the brass helmet!
Graeme

[mikeswrenches]

I considered both the ice hatchet and the fireman's hatchet but discarded both for the following reasons.

The ice hatchets and axe's both had a curved cutting edge and it was longer along the face and also longer in length.  Also the spikes usually are bent down at a rather distinctive angle.

The fire hatchets I've had, and the axes, have had a much heavier spike and somewhat shorter.  The faces have been curved and shaped more like a camp hatchet face.

I should qualify the above by saying that I've certainly never seen all that were made, so anything is possible.

This is a relatively light tool, not something I'd want to depend on for my life in a burning building...although if someone came at me on a dark night it would come in handy.
Thanks for the ideas.

Mike

[Branson]

This is a relatively light tool, not something I'd want to depend on for my life in a burning building...although if someone came at me on a dark night it would come in handy.
Mike

Just used for small fires...

[Branson]

EVANSVILLE TOOL WORKS, EVANSVILLE, IND. U.S -- Rose antiques puts the time as 1898 to 1936.  A WWII list shows a photo of an Evansville marked US Army axe .  Googling  Evansville Tool Works yields this:

http://www.historicevansville.com/site.php?id=evvtool

Worthpoint shows several Evansville tool works items -- mostly hatchets and axes of various sorts, but also one cross pein hammer and a meat cleaver.

And it shows the attached duplicate of your hatchet, as a "fireman's hand axe."  Hand ax means hatchet, though it is not commonly heard nowadays.

[Branson]

Identical pattern, with fiberglass handle -- current production pictured.  You have a fireman's hatchet.

[mikeswrenches]

Branson,

Looks like you nailed it.  Seems like there was more than one pattern for fire hatchets.  I learn something new all the time.  Thanks for the help.

For small fires.......love that.

They also made claw hammers as I have one of those at home.  Has a really weird configuration in the top where the wedge goes.  Will post  picture when I get back in Oct.

Seem like quality tools, based on the few examples I've seen.

Mike

[scottg]

Boats, the small hand fire axes are very popular on boats where clearance is tight. The lightest weight ones are popular on large airplanes. I think I have seen this ax hanging on the wall of an airplane.

  I need to make a new fire ax for my department. We need an ax that is good for working off a ladder.
Heavy and strong as is practical for one hand use but no larger.
The main reason being needing to get into a gable vents or just gables at times.  Either for direct access or smoke venting so we can see what we are doing elsewhere.

I am wondering about the best dimensions. The department, except for the chief, is all volunteer.  The chief spends more of his own money than they pay him though.
We should have plenty of strong young men, but mostly we have old and semi crippled men. Ahhh what the hell, we're a damsight better than nuthin.
So the ax I am thinking.............. fairly short handle, maybe 14-16", and stubby bit, med length spike bit, maybe 3 pounds all in??  Think I can go 3 1/2??
   3 pounds already seems pushing it, one handed, for my regular crew?
But closer to 2 you are into regular camp or house hatchet and that is not effective enough in a crisis. 

Flue fires, starting in fall and all the way through spring, have us in attics every year.
Most people use woodstoves for heat. We are hours away from natural gas. Both electricity and propane are ghastly expensive heat here.  So we all still use wood stoves.
 
  Wood is running about $200 a cord average. We all know what a cord really is. Not like other places where its this decorative occasional thing.  We know wood. Its 4' x4' x 8' stacked tight.  Assuming standard 16" firewood, that is three rows pilgrims, not two rows!!

  I like mine stacked in my own woodshed for at least a year, if it was decent to start with. Otherwise it needs to be seasoned for 2 years.
I'll use 3 cords and a bit more this year.
2/3 hardwood and 1/3 softwood is how I roll. 


PS, please sweep your flue!! Do it early and do it often.
I don't want to see you unless its over a beer.
     yours Scott

[mikeswrenches]

Scott,

   When I get home in Oct.(toward the end), I'll look and see if I still have my fire hatchet.  As I remember, it is configured like you want and I think it is a reasonable weight.  If I still have it you, and the old 'pharts' in your fire company are welcome to it.

Mike