B
@toby
Hi Toby--thanks for the welcome. I'll try to post some pics in the coming days. I've done some research, and I have a few more clues to help identify these axes. The first axe I described above has three rivets on the shaft, while the second axe has two rivets. My understanding, then, is that we can differentiate earlier and later models in the following way: earlier models have a thicker (measured vertically) pick, with teeth only at the tip, and two rivets, while later models have a thinner (measured vertically) pick, with teeth at the tip and at the shaft, and three rivets. I also studied the wood more closely; the later axe is made from some kind of natural wood, probably ash or hickory. The earlier axe is made from bamboo--is had fine vertical grains, but, in places, I can see what look like tell-tale "joints" such as you would find between sections of naturally-grown (not laminated) bamboo. As to the handle material, my understanding is that it's difficult to precisely define what was available in any particular year, or in Europe vs. the United States, so I guess we have to live with that uncertainty. OK, all the best, Bruno.
