Axe stamp identification (Supreme XV)

[mlb616]

I've been searching and asking far and wide for anything that may identify the origins of this axe (stamp) without any luck.

Here's what info I know:
- I acquired the axe in central Minnesota and that's where it's been since at least the 1980s.
- The axe was gifted in the early/mid 1980s by an "old timer" logger from Scandinavia.
- Unknown if the first (known) owner was the original purchaser, how long he'd had it, or where it was original acquired (likely US)
- I know of two other examples of this stamp. One's in Florida and the other in the northeast US.

Info observed or provided while researching this axe:
- Stamp font reflects art deco styling between 1925-1940.
- Finish and shape of the head as well as specifics of the stamp itself are more reflective of hardware store branded axes of the 1960s and 1970s.
- There was a "supreme" brand line of axes by American Axe and Tool in the 1900s and 1910s but no illustration of the axes themselves. Just an illustration of the line's label from 1912. No match based on that single comparison.
- There was a "supreme" branded axe line by Levi Green in western Australia during the 1900s and 1910s but no known illustrations.
- No known usage of "supreme" branded axes from mid 1910's until 1931 when Kelly Axe and Tool started marketing one under that name.
- Firestone branded "supreme" axes were produced in the 1940s and 1950s but unlikely related or relevant to this example.


That's what I've managed to gather on potential answers but nothing solid. Would love anyone's thoughts on this oddity. Pictures attached.

Thanks!
- M

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Possibly another brand for Gamble's Hardware stores https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-gamble-xv-embossed-double-bit-3758240590

 

[mlb616]

Possibly another brand for Gamble's Hardware stores https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-gamble-xv-embossed-double-bit-3758240590

Had been wondering about the "XV" in the stamp so went looking for that. I found the same or very similar"XV" stamps on examples of Craftsman, Ingersoll, Enderes, and S&G Co axes in addition to early Gamble's and my Supreme.

I went digging for those companies and feel like I tracked down all of them with confidence except S&G but it could be Sargent and Greenleaf. Of the ones I have higher confidence in, they were all headquartered in either Minnesota or Illinois. Except for Supreme. The company I think this axe is stamped after was in Mississippi. However, that company did have a presence in both Minnesota (Minneapolis) and Illinois and a business relationship with Sears.

Sears/Craftsman is what ties all this together I think but it's only a theory. It came about from seeing that some of these "XV" stamped axes sometime had variations. Ingersoll's sometimes were just "X" and S&G's were sometimes "XU". These codes were most common on Craftsman tools but the axes were usually a "M" (Vaughn), "ME" (Mann Edge), or "V" (Moore Drop Forging / Easco). So, these letter stamps seem to represent a specific manufacturer of Craftsman tools.
But why would Craftsman manufacturer identification codes appear on non-Craftsman tool? So here's my theory: they're all Craftsman tools. Axes in this case. I surmise that during the 1930s, smaller companies could contract branded tools through Sears by leveraging their (recently acquired) Craftsman line and the existing business connections it had with manufacturers. You could get smaller quantities of tools branded with your company's name without needing to go through the whole ordeal of setting up manufacturing contracts, shipping, distribution, etc...

So it may be a custom branded Craftsman axe which, themselves, were just rebranded axes from tool manufacturing companies. That doesn't answer who Supreme was nor who the actual manufacturer was.
On the latter point, I was unable to identify who the "XV" code might have represented in terms of which manufacturer physically made the axe.
On the former, I'm pretty sure it was Supreme Instruments of Greenwood, Mississippi. A designer and manufacturer of radio and tube testing equipment that operated between 1926 and 1956. As to why such a company would want company branded axes is beyond me, but it's hard to deny the way too close similarities with the logo the company used during the 1930s (see attached). Best guess is it was because the guy that bought Supreme Instruments around 1930 had also owned a lumber company and he wanted axes to celebrate or advertise his new company. Hard to say.

- M

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Had been wondering about the "XV" in the stamp so went looking for that. I found the same or very similar"XV" stamps on examples of Craftsman, Ingersoll, Enderes, and S&G Co axes in addition to early Gamble's and my Supreme.

I went digging for those companies and feel like I tracked down all of them with confidence except S&G but it could be Sargent and Greenleaf. Of the ones I have higher confidence in, they were all headquartered in either Minnesota or Illinois. Except for Supreme. The company I think this axe is stamped after was in Mississippi. However, that company did have a presence in both Minnesota (Minneapolis) and Illinois and a business relationship with Sears.

Sears/Craftsman is what ties all this together I think but it's only a theory. It came about from seeing that some of these "XV" stamped axes sometime had variations. Ingersoll's sometimes were just "X" and S&G's were sometimes "XU". These codes were most common on Craftsman tools but the axes were usually a "M" (Vaughn), "ME" (Mann Edge), or "V" (Moore Drop Forging / Easco). So, these letter stamps seem to represent a specific manufacturer of Craftsman tools.
But why would Craftsman manufacturer identification codes appear on non-Craftsman tool? So here's my theory: they're all Craftsman tools. Axes in this case. I surmise that during the 1930s, smaller companies could contract branded tools through Sears by leveraging their (recently acquired) Craftsman line and the existing business connections it had with manufacturers. You could get smaller quantities of tools branded with your company's name without needing to go through the whole ordeal of setting up manufacturing contracts, shipping, distribution, etc...

So it may be a custom branded Craftsman axe which, themselves, were just rebranded axes from tool manufacturing companies. That doesn't answer who Supreme was nor who the actual manufacturer was.
On the latter point, I was unable to identify who the "XV" code might have represented in terms of which manufacturer physically made the axe.
On the former, I'm pretty sure it was Supreme Instruments of Greenwood, Mississippi. A designer and manufacturer of radio and tube testing equipment that operated between 1926 and 1956. As to why such a company would want company branded axes is beyond me, but it's hard to deny the way too close similarities with the logo the company used during the 1930s (see attached). Best guess is it was because the guy that bought Supreme Instruments around 1930 had also owned a lumber company and he wanted axes to celebrate or advertise his new company. Hard to say.

- M

I took a look at Gamble's xv heads and other Expert and Artisant lines. IF XV stood for manufacturer's code, Vaughan would be a most likely suspect.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I have not seen any Craftsman axes pre 1950's with markings that I knew for a fact were an OEM code.
I have also not seen any Craftsman hammers or axes or really any form of swinging / striking tools that were made by MDF / Easco, I have only ever seen wrenches ratchets and socket sets...etc

This particular axe of yours has a 50's True Temper look about it to me, especially the font of the 4 and evidence of red paint.
Btw I haven't seen this XV before but a 2 character letter and digit code was common on TT Woodslasher axes , like C3 D8...etc
Personally I don't believe there is any connection to Sears, I haven't seen the V code on any such tools and the X which was found tacked onto the beginning of other codes such as XWF...etc seems to have been done in the past 40 years.

 

[mlb616]

I have not seen any Craftsman axes pre 1950's with markings that I knew for a fact were an OEM code.
I have also not seen any Craftsman hammers or axes or really any form of swinging / striking tools that were made by MDF / Easco, I have only ever seen wrenches ratchets and socket sets...etc

This particular axe of yours has a 50's True Temper look about it to me, especially the font of the 4 and evidence of red paint.
Btw I haven't seen this XV before but a 2 character letter and digit code was common on TT Woodslasher axes , like C3 D8...etc
Personally I don't believe there is any connection to Sears, I haven't seen the V code on any such tools and the X which was found tacked onto the beginning of other codes such as XWF...etc seems to have been done in the past 40 years.

I'm not even remotely close to an expert. Barely more than a novice. So definitely looking for expert opinions on this.

Supposedly, the Craftsman manufacturer code system started being used somewhere between 1934 and 1936 according to the alloy-artifacts documentation.

I'd assumed that XV would represent a completely different manufacturer rather than any correlation to X or V manufacturers.

I didn't read much into the red paint since it appears inside of gouge marks. I took that to mean that a coat of red paint had, likely, been applied at some later date.

As for other examples of XV marked axes, here's the two Craftsman examples I could find as well as a link to an album I made

Album: Other XV Axes

Craftsman XV axes:

 

[Hickory n steel]

Supposedly, the Craftsman manufacturer code system started being used somewhere between 1934 and 1936 according to the alloy-artifacts documentation.

As for other examples of XV marked axes, here's the two Craftsman examples I could find as well as a link to an album I made.

I suppose this could be an OEM code since this particular logo was introduced in the 30's and replaced by the 50's, but the trouble is that the guys cataloging the OEM codes on hand tools are mostly collecting general mechanical and automotive hand tools to do so, screwdrivers pliers wrenches and socket sets...etc
Most of the guys with access to knowledge / info have little to no interest in axes, so the Craftsman axe info that may exist isn't getting out there.

It is certainly possible that the particular XV comes from having first been used as an OEM code for Sears, but that would have probably been the manufacturers choice to continue using it on other brandings of the same axe which they'd have already been producing before ever rebranding it for Sears.
There would likely be zero connection between them and Sears aside from having contracted to the same OEM.

 

[mlb616]

I suppose this could be an OEM code since this particular logo was introduced in the 30's and replaced by the 50's, but the trouble is that the guys cataloging the OEM codes on hand tools are mostly collecting general mechanical and automotive hand tools to do so, screwdrivers pliers wrenches and socket sets...etc
Most of the guys with access to knowledge / info have little to no interest in axes, so the Craftsman axe info that may exist isn't getting out there.

It is certainly possible that the particular XV comes from having first been used as an OEM code for Sears, but that would have probably been the manufacturers choice to continue using it on other brandings of the same axe which they'd have already been producing before ever rebranding it for Sears.
There would likely be zero connection between them and Sears aside from having contracted to the same OEM.

Yeah, is noticed most info on Craftsman OEM codes was almost exclusively mechanical tool related/oriented. Maybe I can hit up some early Craftsman boards and see if anytime comes of who XV would have been.
Assuming there's any relation at all between Craftsman XV axes and non-Craftsman XV axes, it's odd that a manufacturer would choose to continue using a Craftsman specific OEM code on axes not produced for Sears/Craftsman.

Dates, also, seem pretty fixed on the 1930s from trademark filing on logos for other XV axes.
That particular Enderes (Tools) logo was used from 1918 till 1938.
Supreme (Instruments) existed from 1927-1946 but used that specific style logo from 1930 till 1938 when it started becoming less art-deco.
That Craftsman logo, as you alluded to, primarily ran from ~1933 until the late 1940s.

Also, potentially, I'll never fully solve this one because some information has just been lost to time.

 

[mlb616]

Figured it might help to add links to a lot of the XV examples I've found:
Gamble's:

I took a look at Gamble's xv heads and other Expert and Artisant lines. IF XV stood for manufacturer's code, Vaughan would be a most likely suspect.

Here's links to most XV heads I found. The vast majority are Gamble's, Ingersoll, and S&G

Gamble's:

vintage GAMBLE XV & COLLINS CO DOUBLE BIT AXE | #3866052391

vintage GAMBLE XV & COLLINS CO DOUBLE BIT AXE.

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage Gamble's XV Double Bit Axe Head | #3861533111

Offering the pictured Vintage Gamble's XV Double Bit Axe Head. Winner from the continental USA must pay $15.50 S&H via USPS.

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head | #3768791643

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head. Condition is Used . Shipped with USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box.

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head | #3758240590

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit restored axe head. Pitting, scratches and wear. Not NOS. Final sharpening may be required to your specifications. Condition is Used . Shipped with USPS Priorit

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV 4.75LB Double Bit Logger Woodsman Axe Head Tool | #3844193945

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV ( Gamble's only partially readable) 4.75LB Double Bit logger woodsman Axe Head Tool. Condition is noticeably/heavily used with evidence of heavy rust throughout and mushrooming to

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head | #3780441993

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head Has pits, grind marks, rust, dings, see pictures for best description.Postage combined on similar items that fit in a single package only.We sell mostl

www.worthpoint.com

DBL LINE BLOCK LETTER HORIZ.INSCRBD GAMBLES XV LOGO DOUBLE BIT BATWING AXE HD | #4669636776

High quality not badly corroded old Gambles axe head. Looks like 3 1 stamped on the opposite side of the xGAMBLEv logo. No cracks or damage , likely some grind down length loss of the cutting ends. 8

www.worthpoint.com

GAMBLE'S XV DOUBLE BIT AXE HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING MADE IN USA | #3850566200

Up for sale is a GAMBLE'S XV DOUBLE BIT AXE HEAD -VINTAGE- MADE IN USA. (Actual weight: 3lbs. 3.1oz.).Axe head shows heavy wear due to age, use and storage. Needs proper sharpening.P lease look at pho

www.worthpoint.com

S&G:

S & G CO. XV 4 lb 2.6 oz SINGLE BIT AXE AX HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING CAMP BUSHCRAFT | #4665490145

S & G CO. XV 4 lb 2.6 oz SINGLE BIT AXE AX HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING CAMP BUSHCRAFT. Some mushrooming of the head. I took pics of it as best I could. Look at the pics for details and ask questions if neede

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage S. & G. Co. XV 3lb 8oz Axe Head Ready to Hang Nice!!! | #4540629370

This is a great vintage S. & G. Co XV single bit axe head. This head weights 3.526lbs or 3lbs and 8oz. No cracks or chips on the bit side. Please use the pics or condition and measurements of the axe

www.worthpoint.com

RARE S & G CO XV COMPANY single bit splitting axe head. 7 3/4" #4 LBS | #1954370190

RARE S & G CO XV COMPANY single bit splitting axe head. 7 3/4 #4 LBS SEE PHOTOS & PLEASE EMAIL W/? Check out my other items ! Be sure to add me to your favorites list !

www.worthpoint.com

S & G CO. XV 3 1/2 SINGLE BIT AXE HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING CAMP BUSHCRAFT 3.9 OZ | #4686153804

PICTURED IS ACTUAL SINGLE BIT S & G XV AX HEAD OFFERED WE SHIP SAME DAY PAYMENT CLEARS

www.worthpoint.com

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-axe-hatchet-head-co-xv-2062868080

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-3-lbs-co-xv-single-bit-axe-1860150501

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-single-bit-axe-head-g-co-xv-497422126

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/co-xv-single-bit-axe-head-3bs-13-3oz-3831115020

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/co-xv-1-single-bit-axe-head-vintage-4697442039

Ingersoll:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ingersoll-single-bit-ax-head-1923297110

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-ingersoll-xv-single-bit-axe-4724406570

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/double-bit-axe-ingersoll-clean-sharp-149074094

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-antique-ingersoll-double-bit-50878693

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-3lb-13-oz-ingersoll-double-3844194222

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-double-bit-axe-head-ingersoll-1813311466

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ingersoll-xv-axe-tool-co-double-bit-2065554277

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rarely-found-scarce-ingersoll-single-1935907666

Supreme:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-supreme-xv-single-bit-axe-4717650742

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/axe-head-tool-supreme-xv-459025680

Enderes:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/enders-xv-single-bit-axe-head-vintage-3892461959

Craftsman:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-craftsman-xv-single-bit-2lb-4587603888

 

[Hickory n steel]

Assuming there's any relation at all between Craftsman XV axes and non-Craftsman XV axes, it's odd that a manufacturer would choose to continue using a Craftsman specific OEM code on axes not produced for Sears/Craftsman.

They've gotta be from the same manufacturer, but it makes no sense that Sears would have anything to do with the axes that were contracted by another retailer

Maybe the XV axes were the top line from this particular manufacturer and that has something to do with the stamp?
We still don't know for certain if this is a Sears OEM code after all, and it could very well be something the particular manufacturer just started doing for various reasons.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Figured it might help to add links to a lot of the XV examples I've found:
Gamble's:

Here's links to most XV heads I found. The vast majority are Gamble's, Ingersoll, and S&G

Gamble's:

vintage GAMBLE XV & COLLINS CO DOUBLE BIT AXE | #3866052391

vintage GAMBLE XV & COLLINS CO DOUBLE BIT AXE.

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage Gamble's XV Double Bit Axe Head | #3861533111

Offering the pictured Vintage Gamble's XV Double Bit Axe Head. Winner from the continental USA must pay $15.50 S&H via USPS.

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head | #3768791643

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head. Condition is Used . Shipped with USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box.

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head | #3758240590

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit restored axe head. Pitting, scratches and wear. Not NOS. Final sharpening may be required to your specifications. Condition is Used . Shipped with USPS Priorit

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV 4.75LB Double Bit Logger Woodsman Axe Head Tool | #3844193945

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV ( Gamble's only partially readable) 4.75LB Double Bit logger woodsman Axe Head Tool. Condition is noticeably/heavily used with evidence of heavy rust throughout and mushrooming to

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head | #3780441993

Vintage GAMBLE'S XV embossed double bit axe head Has pits, grind marks, rust, dings, see pictures for best description.Postage combined on similar items that fit in a single package only.We sell mostl

www.worthpoint.com

DBL LINE BLOCK LETTER HORIZ.INSCRBD GAMBLES XV LOGO DOUBLE BIT BATWING AXE HD | #4669636776

High quality not badly corroded old Gambles axe head. Looks like 3 1 stamped on the opposite side of the xGAMBLEv logo. No cracks or damage , likely some grind down length loss of the cutting ends. 8

www.worthpoint.com

GAMBLE'S XV DOUBLE BIT AXE HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING MADE IN USA | #3850566200

Up for sale is a GAMBLE'S XV DOUBLE BIT AXE HEAD -VINTAGE- MADE IN USA. (Actual weight: 3lbs. 3.1oz.).Axe head shows heavy wear due to age, use and storage. Needs proper sharpening.P lease look at pho

www.worthpoint.com

S&G:

S & G CO. XV 4 lb 2.6 oz SINGLE BIT AXE AX HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING CAMP BUSHCRAFT | #4665490145

S & G CO. XV 4 lb 2.6 oz SINGLE BIT AXE AX HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING CAMP BUSHCRAFT. Some mushrooming of the head. I took pics of it as best I could. Look at the pics for details and ask questions if neede

www.worthpoint.com

Vintage S. & G. Co. XV 3lb 8oz Axe Head Ready to Hang Nice!!! | #4540629370

This is a great vintage S. & G. Co XV single bit axe head. This head weights 3.526lbs or 3lbs and 8oz. No cracks or chips on the bit side. Please use the pics or condition and measurements of the axe

www.worthpoint.com

RARE S & G CO XV COMPANY single bit splitting axe head. 7 3/4" #4 LBS | #1954370190

RARE S & G CO XV COMPANY single bit splitting axe head. 7 3/4 #4 LBS SEE PHOTOS & PLEASE EMAIL W/? Check out my other items ! Be sure to add me to your favorites list !

www.worthpoint.com

S & G CO. XV 3 1/2 SINGLE BIT AXE HEAD VINTAGE LOGGING CAMP BUSHCRAFT 3.9 OZ | #4686153804

PICTURED IS ACTUAL SINGLE BIT S & G XV AX HEAD OFFERED WE SHIP SAME DAY PAYMENT CLEARS

www.worthpoint.com

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-axe-hatchet-head-co-xv-2062868080

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-3-lbs-co-xv-single-bit-axe-1860150501

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-single-bit-axe-head-g-co-xv-497422126

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/co-xv-single-bit-axe-head-3bs-13-3oz-3831115020

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/co-xv-1-single-bit-axe-head-vintage-4697442039

Ingersoll:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ingersoll-single-bit-ax-head-1923297110

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-ingersoll-xv-single-bit-axe-4724406570

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/double-bit-axe-ingersoll-clean-sharp-149074094

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-antique-ingersoll-double-bit-50878693

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-3lb-13-oz-ingersoll-double-3844194222

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-double-bit-axe-head-ingersoll-1813311466

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ingersoll-xv-axe-tool-co-double-bit-2065554277

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rarely-found-scarce-ingersoll-single-1935907666

Supreme:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-supreme-xv-single-bit-axe-4717650742

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/axe-head-tool-supreme-xv-459025680

Enderes:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/enders-xv-single-bit-axe-head-vintage-3892461959

Craftsman:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-craftsman-xv-single-bit-2lb-4587603888

I can see, you've dug deep into worthpoint database. You can try to search for pics of 4lbs Vaughan single bit axes and compare the shape of the eyes to your head. Is it monosteel, overlaid bit or maybe electrically fused bit? https://archive.org/details/VaughanFineTools1940/Vaughan Fine Tools 1940/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater

 

[mlb616]

They've gotta be from the same manufacturer, but it makes no sense that Sears would have anything to do with the axes that were contracted by another retailer

Maybe the XV axes were the top line from this particular manufacturer and that has something to do with the stamp?
We still don't know for certain if this is a Sears OEM code after all, and it could very well be something the particular manufacturer just started doing for various reasons.

You're absolutely correct on there being no certainly that the XV is done at the behest of Sears for OEM codes. But something that puzzled me, apart from why include the XV at all, is that there exists an example of a X Ingersoll and XU S&G

S&G Co XU axe:

RARE S & G CO XU COMPANY single bit splitting axe head. 7 1/4" (#531) | #1900408203

RARE S & G CO XU COMPANY single bit splitting axe head. 7 3/4 (#531) SEE PHOTOS & PLEASE EMAIL W/? Check out my other items ! Be sure to add me to your favorites list !

www.worthpoint.com

Ingersoll X axe:

Vintage Dayton Pattern Ingersoll Axe Head. 3 Pounds | #3864438780

Vintage Dayton Pattern Ingersoll Axe Head. 3 Pounds.This axe head is in good shape and from a brand I haven't been able to find when searching for it. Potentially from somewhere in Scandinavia.Most ru

www.worthpoint.com

To me that would most likely mean:
- these are identification stamps used internally to some single manufacturer that meant something to them
- these are some middleman coding system to know who was contracted work for warranty claims, documentation, etc...

I'm sure there's other possibilities but it's all very perplexing.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I would say the fact that it and variations are found on other brands of axes pretty much confirms that it was not a Sears OEM code.
It probably means something to the manufacturer and I'm assuming it has to be related to warranty purposes...etc and wasn't used on their own labels, that is to say there's no commonly known X COLLINS V X MANN V or X TRUE TEMPER V ...etc

 

[mlb616]

I would say the fact that it and variations are found on other brands of axes pretty much confirms that it was not a Sears OEM code.
It probably means something to the manufacturer and I'm assuming it has to be related to warranty purposes...etc and wasn't used on their own labels, that is to say there's no commonly known X COLLINS V X MANN V or X TRUE TEMPER V ...etc

I may be misunderstanding, but that wouldn't exactly exclude the possibility? Not trying to push the Sears/Craftsman connection but just trying to consider why the same mark would appear across multiple stamps including Craftsman. Or why for a particular stamping, there'd by other marks in addition to XV. Later Craftsman axes are known to have variations in the same stamp such as V, VV, M, and ME.

Regardless, whoever XV was I'd almost assume to be small and regional given that examples of both the XV mark and stamps that carried them (Gamble's, Ingersoll, S&G, Enderes, Supreme, and Craftsman) are all boxed into a period within the 1930s (mostly). If it was a larger manufacturer, I would expect to see some sort of wider usage of the XV mark.

I just hate unanswered mysteries

 

[Hickory n steel]

I may be misunderstanding, but that wouldn't exactly exclude the possibility? Not trying to push the Sears/Craftsman connection but just trying to consider why the same mark would appear across multiple stamps including Craftsman. Or why for a particular stamping, there'd by other marks in addition to XV. Later Craftsman axes are known to have variations in the same stamp such as V, VV, M, and ME.

You have seen V stamped Craftsman axes ?
I have seen some Easco hammers and an Easco sledge eye splitting maul, but no axes and am not positive that they actually manufactured the hammers or maul.

I have seen ME ( Mann EDGE ) , MZ, and I believe I've seen EE ( Stanley) but never V on anything but automotive tools.

 

[mlb616]

You have seen V stamped Craftsman axes ?
I have seen some Easco hammers and an Easco sledge eye splitting maul, but no axes and am not positive that they actually manufactured the hammers or maul.

I have seen ME ( Mann EDGE ) , MZ, and I believe I've seen EE ( Stanley) but never V on anything but automotive tools.

Good chance I'm misremembering then. I looked at a lot of stamps over the last few days lol
I can try looking later to see if it was something I saw or if I'm mixing up two things I recently looked at.

 

[mlb616]

I can see, you've dug deep into worthpoint database. You can try to search for pics of 4lbs Vaughan single bit axes and compare the shape of the eyes to your head. Is it monosteel, overlaid bit or maybe electrically fused bit? https://archive.org/details/VaughanFineTools1940/Vaughan Fine Tools 1940/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater

I can get some better head pictures of it.
Also, found a roughly same era 4 lb Vaughan with the weight stamp in the same location. Whenever that comes in I can compare them in person

 

[mlb616]

I can see, you've dug deep into worthpoint database. You can try to search for pics of 4lbs Vaughan single bit axes and compare the shape of the eyes to your head. Is it monosteel, overlaid bit or maybe electrically fused bit? https://archive.org/details/VaughanFineTools1940/Vaughan Fine Tools 1940/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater

Here's a picture of the Supreme axe eye next to a 4lb Vaughan

Additionally, comparing the eye with a 3.5lb S&G XV. There's a lot of mushrooming over the top of the eye so it makes the eye walls looks thicker than they are.