North America, United States, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A collection of 4 iron axe heads, three with their wooden handles intact. The one without a handle is stamped with maker marks for the Collins Company (1826 to 1966) of Connecticut. The Collins company produced the first "ready to use" axes in the United States - before, local blacksmiths forged heads upon request, or they came from Europe, unground and requiring handles. The smallest head with a handle has a broad blade and cylindrical opening on the butt end, perhaps as a trade piece for Native Americans to use as a Tomahawk pipe. The next has a flared, notched blade they an ovoid socketing hole, hafted on a whittled branch, also perhaps a trading axe. The last has a lengthy blade and thick butt end - perhaps a naval boarding axe since the slender blade does not seem suited for heavy work. Size of naval axe: 15.75" L x 9.75" W (40 cm x 24.8 cm); Collins' head: 5" L x 3.25" W (12.7 cm x 8.3 cm)

Provenance: private Burlington, North Carolina, USA collection; ex-A to Z Auctions; ex-James Pratley estate, Galveston, Texas, USA before 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167865

The Collins’ axe head stamp is rubbed is some areas illegible but can discern most of the mark. The other axes are unmarked. Handle may be replacements from originals, but still shown age and use. Lustrous patina on the dark brown handles. Axe heads show signs of use, chips, abrasions, and surface pitting. Great russet patina on all.