Identify Axe Head with partial Stamp

[mastermachetier]

I got this axe head. After taking a closer look in the rust part of a stamp is visible . I have cleaned it up a bit I can only make out the last 3 letter "DER" maybe a 4th "ADER". Any help if appreciated .

Thanks !

 

[Square_peg]

Collins Commander

 

[DarthTaco123]

I'm putting another vote in for Collins commander.

 

[Steve Tall]

My vote is for CRUSADER from Belknap.

From an old auction listing:
Vintage Axe Head Stamped Crusader. Crusader Was A Brand Name Used By Belknap Hdw

 

[300Six]

My vote is for CRUSADER from Belknap.

From an old auction listing:
Vintage Axe Head Stamped Crusader. Crusader Was A Brand Name Used By Belknap Hdw

I'm going with Steve on this. The stamp is too short for Commander, plus there's definitely an a'' before the 'der'. Tops marks, as usual, for deciphering this!

 

[rjdankert]

COMMANDER

CRUSADER

From: http://www.terapeak.com/worth/vintage-crusader-carpenters-axe-head/172174885948/


Bob

 

[Square_peg]

Good work, Bob. And Steve. The shape of that axe just reminded me of a Mann era Collins.

 

[rjdankert]

Here is another CRUSADER (not mine):

Bob

 

[mastermachetier]

Okay so guys I have the final answer. I was able to clean it up a bit more and it is indeed a crusader. I will be giving it an electrolytic bath in the near future and will post pictures when done. Does anyone know if this is a good axe , its age and rarity?

Now I do not know anything about the axe or its age , but i know its name. I also managed to pick up a Rixford R50 pictures below. Same questions with this age ,quality , rarity ? It looks really nice feels balanced and not sure which pattern this is though .

 

[Square_peg]

The Rixford is a much nicer axe. The Crusader has a pretty worn toe. It's fixable but you'd hope for better. I still can't get away from its resemblance to Mann era Collins axes. I know Belknap sub-contract axe production to other makers, many to True Temper. But this still looks Mann to me and if it came off their Collins production line then it would only be of good quality not great quality.

 

[Steve Tall]

Okay so guys I have the final answer. I was able to clean it up a bit more and it is indeed a crusader. I will be giving it an electrolytic bath in the near future and will post pictures when done. Does anyone know if this is a good axe , its age and rarity?

Adding to what Square_peg already said, the Bluegrass brand was Belknap's "top line" of tools, and the Crusader brand was their "second line" of tools, according to http://otools1.wkfinetools.com/hardware/Belknap/hist/bHistory1.asp. This source also mentions that Belknap went bankrupt in 1986 (so it could have been made by Mann sometime before then).

 

[mastermachetier]

The Rixford is a much nicer axe. The Crusader has a pretty worn toe. It's fixable but you'd hope for better. I still can't get away from its resemblance to Mann era Collins axes. I know Belknap sub-contract axe production to other makers, many to True Temper. But this still looks Mann to me and if it came off their Collins production line then it would only be of good quality not great quality.

Adding to what Square_peg already said, the Bluegrass brand was Belknap's "top line" of tools, and the Crusader brand was their "second line" of tools, according to http://otools1.wkfinetools.com/hardware/Belknap/hist/bHistory1.asp. This source also mentions that Belknap went bankrupt in 1986 (so it could have been made by Mann sometime before then).

Thanks guys you have been super helpful ! I am still removing rust from some other finds hopefully I can find some kind of marking on those as well.

 

[PMBWFC]

Can anybody please help me identify this axe head. There appears to be a “made in” but I can’t find out what the half moon stamp near the blade is. Thanks

 

[gben]

It does not matter what level of quality any axe from an old manufacturer is, they are all good quality and all of them will last anyone here a lifetime and get the job done for them every single time.