Maker's Mark?

mgolab · 29th June 2025, 01:06 AM

I was reviewing a spike hatchet in my collection which was the subject of my post on Jun 8, 2023.

I am not sure whether I discovered a maker's mark on the underside of the spike. An "X" with a heart in a shield? or perhaps just pitting....

As indicated on my prior post, there is a distinct "LT" on the one ear.

Thank you for any feedback, comments.

Jim McDougall · 29th June 2025, 03:05 PM

Need to see the entire axe, my guess a German horsemans axe.......also better image of the mark, with degeneration its very indistinct.

mgolab · 29th June 2025, 04:09 PM

Hi Jim:

Good to hear from you. I have attached some additional images. The nail pull slot was added later. The piece was later repurposed as a tool, but that spike looks like a weapon to me, similar to a "bec de corbin"

A "LT" mark as well.

mgolab · 29th June 2025, 04:11 PM

another image of the mark.

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 02:20 AM

While not sure of the dimensions on this, the character of the entire axe head resembles the spiked poll tomahawks (this term along with hatchet was used broadly) which were favored by Iroquois tribes in the northeast and central coastal areas. The tomahawks were with 8 3/4" x 3 1/2" heads so if this example corresponds this might be a presumed identification.

It seems that the notch added later is a practice noted in "American Trade Relics" , Lar Hothem, 2003 in another example, but used by trappers to pull chains on their traps. However another example (Neumann, 1972, 70a) of mid 18th c. has similar notch noted as nail puller. The finished character at the beveled stem of the spike suggests European manufacture, perhaps French.
Initials on the side of the head or blade as on this one are usually of local traders, and unfortunately most of these are not recorded.
Personal initials tended to be much larger on the side of the blade.
In the LT (?) initials on this, the 'T' has double bars at top (cross of Lorraine?).

Markings are also sparsely recorded, and this is still indiscernible from photos, many deeply worn marks have to be looked at with magnifier and manipulated lighting.

Hotspur · Yesterday, 02:34 AM

Isn't the notch a nail lift?

29th June 2025, 01:06 AM	#1
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 77	Maker's Mark? I was reviewing a spike hatchet in my collection which was the subject of my post on Jun 8, 2023. I am not sure whether I discovered a maker's mark on the underside of the spike. An "X" with a heart in a shield? or perhaps just pitting.... As indicated on my prior post, there is a distinct "LT" on the one ear. Thank you for any feedback, comments. Attached Images

29th June 2025, 04:09 PM	#3
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 77	Hi Jim: Good to hear from you. I have attached some additional images. The nail pull slot was added later. The piece was later repurposed as a tool, but that spike looks like a weapon to me, similar to a "bec de corbin" A "LT" mark as well. Attached Images

29th June 2025, 04:11 PM	#4
mgolab Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 77	another image of the mark. Attached Images

29th June 2025, 03:05 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,336	Need to see the entire axe, my guess a German horsemans axe.......also better image of the mark, with degeneration its very indistinct.

Yesterday, 02:20 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,336	While not sure of the dimensions on this, the character of the entire axe head resembles the spiked poll tomahawks (this term along with hatchet was used broadly) which were favored by Iroquois tribes in the northeast and central coastal areas. The tomahawks were with 8 3/4" x 3 1/2" heads so if this example corresponds this might be a presumed identification. It seems that the notch added later is a practice noted in "American Trade Relics" , Lar Hothem, 2003 in another example, but used by trappers to pull chains on their traps. However another example (Neumann, 1972, 70a) of mid 18th c. has similar notch noted as nail puller. The finished character at the beveled stem of the spike suggests European manufacture, perhaps French. Initials on the side of the head or blade as on this one are usually of local traders, and unfortunately most of these are not recorded. Personal initials tended to be much larger on the side of the blade. In the LT (?) initials on this, the 'T' has double bars at top (cross of Lorraine?). Markings are also sparsely recorded, and this is still indiscernible from photos, many deeply worn marks have to be looked at with magnifier and manipulated lighting.

Yesterday, 02:34 AM	#6
Hotspur Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nipmuc USA Posts: 517	Isn't the notch a nail lift?