Maker's Mark?

[mgolab]

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]

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

[mgolab]

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]

another image of the mark.

[Jim McDougall]

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]

Isn't the notch a nail lift?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Hotspur

Isn't the notch a nail lift?

It was for both, there are references noting both functions. It seems in a number of cases, the notches were added later.

[mgolab]

Jim:

Thanks for the in-depth response and analysis here. It is excellent and I appreciate it.

I purchased this axe from a picker in Florida, so I initially thought that it had a Spanish connection but who knows whether the axe originated there. The picker claimed so.

I initially purchased the axe thinking that it was a spike tomahawk but when I received it, it appeared slightly too heavy and large (9.75 inches and 1.5 pounds). However, having handled a number of spike tomahawks, the size and weight is not outside the realm of possibility. Also what struck me as interesting was the detailed beveling on the spike end-certainly pointing to European manufacturing but perhaps too well done for a trade item(?). In terms of spike tomahawks, the spatulate blade and double round ears appear to be the earliest in form. Late 17th Century to early 18th Century.

That certainly does appear to be a Cross of Lorraine, which I know appeared on French trade silver in the 17th Century.

Finally, your initial response struck me as interesting, a "horseman axe". When I revisited the axe earlier this week, that was my gut reaction. I am curious whether this piece started life in Europe as a horseman axe, later traded in North American.

[Interested Party]

Is the edge beveled evenly on both sides or was it chisel ground at one time?

[mgolab]

looks like it is evenly beveled. hand forged, but evenly as possible.

[Jim McDougall]

It does seem that some early Spanish spike axes had that disc type head center early in 18th, but as always so much variation. They had shorter and downturned spikes.

The beveled feature at spike stem reminded me of some horsemans axes of S. Germany late 16th into 17th. which went in line with the overall finished and decorative character of weapons in these times.

As always, weapons tend to have as range in size, often aligned with physical characteristics and circumstances. I had thought with this example with the blade more in character with poll type axes and woodsman axes this would be large for spike axe, but that thinking seems incorrect.

Sorry to not be more help with the mark, but most of these seem to have been unrecorded, or with records long since gone.

[mgolab]

Thanks again Jim.

Not sure why, but my gut is telling me that the "L" and cross of lorraine is some sort of armorer mark.

[mgolab]

could that be a "caravaca cross"?

[CutlassCollector]

I'm not exactly sure why but I do have some doubts about this axe. As we know from Mark Miller's website - fake tomahawks are widespread and lucrative.

The blade shape is very close to a shingling hatchet, complete with nail notch and the hammer poll could have been reformed into a spike?
I don't know how to tell if the nail slot has been added later - what makes you sure it was?