I bought a cool old axe today.





It has Isaac Murr stamped on it. Online, I found, "Isaac Murr was a blacksmith by trade, was greatly respected in his community during his long and useful life, and died March 27, 1898, Lancaster County, PA. "

I think I know what it was used for, but would like to hear what others think.

Keith

Hog castrator

Quite a bit of hammering to the backside, so was used for splitting-possibly as a froe??

Looks like a mortising axe.

Looks Cool

Bet its worth some money.

Early American birth control device.

This^

I think it's a mortising axe too. I found 2 other mortising axes online, with the exact same pattern, that also were stamped Isaac Murr. He aparrently started black smithing by 1858. They noted he was of good character and a Republican.

My axe should be between 124 and 164 years old and is likely from the earlier part of that range because Isaac got into raising cattle later in life. It was likely made around the same time period as the Civil War.

Keith

Here's a video showing how mortising axes were used.



Keith

That aint the first time that guy used an axe.
very neat old axe Keith-are you gonna chop a few holes?

Good work, Keith C.

Thanks, I definitely want to try it out, but I don't have any plans on putting up a barn or anything with it.

Keith

Someone(maybe you I don't know) says that on every thread. Nice axe though!

I paid $48.70 for it with the 11% buyers premium and tax. It"s the only mortising axe in my collection. I've only ever seen one other 1 come up for sale.

Keith

Gränsfors, Muller and a few other companies still make mortise axes. They are much more expensive than what you paid. Usually a timber-framers tool, they also were sometimes used for chopping through mortises in split-rail fence posts.

Definitely a cool old axe, interesting thread.

Cool