Potentially Fake Council Axe head

J

jbyrne701n

Joined
Jun 25, 2016
Messages
7
First time poster, long time lurker.
I have restored a few axes in the past, all for personal use or wedding gifts. I just bought an axe today to restore. I didn't pay much for it but it's in nice shape and from my limited knowledge of vintage axes, I know Council is a brand I can trust. From looking up axe head shapes online, I believe the pattern is a rockaway (round lugs) but I can't seem to find any information about vintage Collins Rockaways online. Did I get a counterfit axe? If anyone can shed light on what I have bought, I would appreciate it.

Here is a closeup of the "Council" stamp:
https://jedb.smugmug.com/Axe-Photo/n-CJDqkq/
Photo of the entire head:
https://jedb.smugmug.com/Axe-Photo/n-CJDqkq/i-CwQSJZB
There is only one other marking on the axe, underside of the Poll:
https://jedb.smugmug.com/Axe-Photo/n-CJDqkq/i-fVrD4Lj

For reference the bit is 5.5" and poll to bit is 7 3/4"
 
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:)
 
Is that a thing, people making fake council axes? If I were a counterfeit manufacturer I'd probably aim at something with more value...
 
I wouldn't think so, but like I said I can't find a thing on the interwebs about any council rockaway pattern. Most are plumbs.
 
Screen shots from the interweb:



Little closer:


SCT100 has one similar that is also marked "Pickett's Pride". The difference being his Jersey has pointed ears and bevels. He might chime in.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1192602-SC-T100-s-Axe-Projects-(Pic-Heavy)/page7

That "2" overstruck the maker's name could have been done by an owner for personal reasons (had his axe taken once...) or it was part of a set of tools. Maybe number "2" out of, say 10 purchased.

Pure speculation.
 
Agent_H said:
Screen shots from the interweb:
SCT100 has one similar that is also marked "Pickett's Pride". The difference being his Jersey has pointed ears and bevels. He might chime in.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1192602-SC-T100-s-Axe-Projects-(Pic-Heavy)/page7

That "2" overstruck the maker's name could have been done by an owner for personal reasons (had his axe taken once...) or it was part of a set of tools. Maybe number "2" out of, say 10 purchased.

Pure speculation.
Click to expand...

Yep! I have a few Councils, and 2 with the slant font spelling out Council (the others have the more modern CT stamp), but I've never seen that particular stamp. It has an "old" feel to it, though, and they've been around a while. I may just be an early head. I doubt it would be a fake, as Council (outside of their new Velvicuts and Wood Craft axes), are generally low cost/high quality items. It's a mystery to me!
 
I too have a hard time imagining that another manufacturer would counterfeit a Council tool but then again if it turns a $10 Chinese or Mexican no-name item into a $25 sale via the addition of a seemingly familiar stamp I guess anything is possible. Send a copy of the photo to Council Tools and see what they have to say. If they don't recognize the stamp they'll certainly take an interest in the whole shebang.
 
300six, thanks for the suggestion. I emailed council tools and they told me that the "2" stamp most likely means it was manufactured in February, and the vintage is somewhere between 1901-1910. They were very helpful with the whole thing. Now to sharpen it up, rehang and make a mask and sling for it!
 
jbyrne701n said:
300six, thanks for the suggestion. I emailed council tools and they told me that the "2" stamp most likely means it was manufactured in February, and the vintage is somewhere between 1901-1910. They were very helpful with the whole thing. Now to sharpen it up, rehang and make a mask and sling for it!
Click to expand...

Ain't that sweet! There's nothing common about your Council tool.
 
That is terrific that Council responded and you know that your axe is potentially from that time frame!

Why they would strike a "2" front and center over their own logo for "February" and no year attached is curious.
 
Agent_H said:
That is terrific that Council responded and you know that your axe is potentially from that time frame!

Why they would strike a "2" front and center over their own logo for "February" and no year attached is curious.
Click to expand...

Myself would presume a prominent overstrike, using the numeral 2 directly over a brand stamp, indicates 'factory second'. Doesn't mean the tool was poorly made but that it had some cosmetic blemish or other that resulted in having to drop the price.
 
Maybe the guy at Council just gave a plausable sounding BS story just to make you happy & get himself back to worl.

The internet fueled interest to every minor quirky detail of decades past prodution. Must been a surprise to many of these smaller tool companies.
 
Lieblad said:
Maybe the guy at Council just gave a plausible sounding BS story just to make you happy & get himself back to work.
Click to expand...

Mine is an educated guess too. When 'grasping for straws' sometimes the best and honest answer is "I don't know". The defacing mark directly over the stamp and fact it is a "2" is what caught my eye.
 
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