Any ideas?

Thank you I will look that up

 

That 'pin' or 'wedge' is probably to hold the hatchet or handle tight as the tool got used and the handle started to loosen up........

 

Makes sense. I wish I knew what materials they are.

 

Thanks for trying to find out info. I have my uncle looking into it. I had no idea where to look or who to talk to. We live in a smaller city and can't find a specialist near me. So I sent my Uncle in Michigan pics of it. He is kn a mission lol. He is a very smart man. Will update as I find out any news.

 

I’m not too sharp on bladed tools, but I’ll use the occasion to differ with Greg. Not to be splitting hairs, ok, but US paper currency length is 6.14 inches, a bit over 6 1/8”, WAY less than what Greg said.

 

You've found a pretty typical hatchet head. Anywhere from decades to centuries old. There are many configurations, but yours, like most, would work just fine for nailing shingles as it would for butchering chickens.

My guess is that it's a blacksmith-made, wrought iron piece. It's also possible that it's a heavily-corroded. machine-forged steel head. A discreet spark test would answer that question.

I've un-headed a lot of hatchets. (Broken-off heads are cheaper at auctions.) Most, but not all have some sort off metal tightening wedge. The number one thing I've found by far, are the snapped-off ends of hand files. (I've always found this a little odd.) The next most common are wood screws, square nails and such.

It is of course your property and you may do with it as you will. I feel a certain responsibility to old tools, as far as doing the least amount of damage. After that it's preservation and finding it a good home.

My rule is to avoid acids on metals, particularly steel or iron. You'll do a lot less damage with a wire brush and some elbow grease. With patience and a gentle touch, maker's marks and clues to manufacture can often be discovered. (I'm pretty sure a good mark could be found on the head pictured by i need help.)

 

Thank you so much. Unfortunately I don't know anything about these. Went online to find out how to get some of the rust off. My uncle informed me to not do any more to it right now. I definitely want to do it the right way and not cause any damage to it. Hoping I didn't damage it. I am intrigued by it and hope to find out as much as possible about it.

 

Hi Spring,
Sorry about the wrong measurement of the dollar bill. It is 6 and an eight not ¼.
If I continue to make big money I am sure that the Government will have me charged with counterfeiting
greg.

 

iss the hole oval or more like 3 drilled holes overlapping,there was an axe/hatchet maked that used something like the the three hole idea?,i never had one and cant remember the name.but they are out there..i had a similar one with broken off nail pulling ears and ground them down & polished,,,never would have known they were ever there....nevertheless yours is scrap