Cartouche Axe
 

Here is an interesting one. 6 x4 inches. 1.5 pounds. New Haft. Found in Northern Vermont. Has a cartouche. See Figures 26 and 27 in "Rifleman's Belt Axes"


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Mark, you sure know how to find 'em! As you have already mentioned, a nice old example of poll/belt axe. I'd easily wager pre-1800. The problem with so many of these is that these stamps/maker marks is few are recorded and most are eligible, unfortunately. You can tell the 'hammer end' has been used many times. Like the steel bit as well! AS I always say about these...if only they could tell us their stories! Perhaps she saw service in the Battle of Bennington-

Yes I agree with Mark, great old axe, you can almost see the history written into the iron and steel.

I wish they were better at stamping their marks - it's ruining my eyes trying to decipher them. Its odd that so many are illegible as you'd expect the ones that are stamped deep and especially in a cartouche to be less prone to wear out.
CC