A small axe ... for possible ID

CutlassCollector · 17th December 2019, 12:11 PM

I agree with Philip in that fire axes generally have a spike. Could this one have been cut down to the poll? Fire fighters in the UK and much of Europe carried personal spiked hatchets in the late 19th and early 20th century until replaced by large axes carried on the trucks.
Fire brigades also carry numerous keys for opening service boxes or turning off supplies of gas, electricity and for machinery rooms, communal gates etc. I wonder if the square socket in the base is a key socket to operate a valve or access lock in common usage in a particular country.

CC

17th December 2019, 12:11 PM	#5
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 365	I agree with Philip in that fire axes generally have a spike. Could this one have been cut down to the poll? Fire fighters in the UK and much of Europe carried personal spiked hatchets in the late 19th and early 20th century until replaced by large axes carried on the trucks. Fire brigades also carry numerous keys for opening service boxes or turning off supplies of gas, electricity and for machinery rooms, communal gates etc. I wonder if the square socket in the base is a key socket to operate a valve or access lock in common usage in a particular country. CC